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A criminal network trafficking illegal steroids from a Bolton flat has been shut down following a MHRA sting, with prison sentences totalling more than 21 years handed down to four of the men who were responsible. 

The regulator’s criminal enforcement unit worked with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), which first identified suspicious online activity relating to the sale of performance-enhancing steroids and prescription drugs.

This was traced back to a flat on St Helens Road, Bolton, where the products were stored and packaged for distribution by mail order. 

MHRA officers seized over 130,000 doses of steroids and unauthorised medicines, including tamoxifen, finasteride and modafinil.

The criminals behind this activity were variously a health and safety advisor, a care worker, a former bank manager, scrap metal workers and unemployed. 

Four of them – Zaheer Oomer, Rizwan Atcha, Imtiaz Atcha and Matthew Williams – had pleaded guilty to offences including money laundering, with one owning up to laundering £772,112. 

Three of the men – Abdul Khan, Saddym Shahid and Rajendra Patel –  pleaded not guilty and stood trial at Bolton Crown Court where they were found guilty on July 7 last year.

Following their convictions for charges including the conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and money laundering to the value of over £1.8m collectively, the men received sentences ranging from 250 hours unpaid work to seven years’ imprisonment.

Tim Duffield, head of intelligence at the MHRA, commented: “This was a well-organised operation that put people at real risk. 

“Medicines bought outside regulated channels can be unsafe, ineffective or fake. 

“Our investigators worked hard to break up this criminal network and bring those responsible to justice. 

“These convictions are just part of the MHRA’s ongoing work to tackle the illegal trade in medicines and protect public health.”

Mario Theophanous from UKAD added: “Disrupting the supply of illegal performance-enhancing drugs is central to protecting sport.  

“Our intelligence officers work in partnership with regulators and law enforcement to identify and dismantle the criminal networks that make these substances available. 

“That collaboration is a vital part of how we keep prohibited substances out of sport and away from elite athletes and young people.”