Rotherham Bodybuilders Sentenced For Selling Steroids

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 08 Oct 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Two men were sentenced on 5 October 2009 at Sheffield Crown Court after conspiring to sell and supply Class C drugs, including human growth hormones. The sentencing follows a joint operation by the MHRA and South Yorkshire Police.

Richard Flynn, a heavy goods vehicle technician from Rawmarsh, Rotherham was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with an additional penalty of 120-hours community service.

Christopher Taylor, a house husband and gym owner also from Rawmarsh, Rotherham was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with an additional penalty of 80-hours community service.

The operation netted seizures of substantial quantities of Class C drugs - testosterone, methandienone, and oxymetholone. £9,000 cash hidden in a cupboard under the stairs was also seized from Flynn's home. The total estimated street value of the drugs seized was £7,000.

The pair were also involved in the importation of the human growth hormone, Hygetropin, with an estimated value of £96,000.

Tests on the products seized during the investigation had shown that both the oxymetholone and Hygetropin contained no trace of the stated active ingredients.

MHRA Head of Operations, Danny Lee-Frost, said the case highlighted the robust action taken by the MHRA against those who illegally sell and supply medicines.

"As the UK regulator of medicines, we strive to ensure that only the competent and honest are licensed to deal in medicines, and take swift action against anyone who acts otherwise.

"Flynn and Taylor endangered the health of the people they supplied, all for their own profit and gain."

The counsel defending Flynn said he became involved in steroids with the aim of competing in the World's Strongest Man competition.

Notes

1. Mr Richard Flynn (39) is from 8 Manor Close, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, S62 7NQ. Mr Christopher Taylor (43) is from 3 Haugh Green, Rawmarsh, Rotherham, S62 7FB.

2. Mr Taylor was arrested in October 2008 at Steelworks Gym in Parkgate, Rotherham. Two boxes were seized from his car, a VW Touareg 4x4. One contained 39 tubs of Zanabol, each tub containing 1,000 tablets. The other box contained 47 boxes of oxymetholone.

3. A further box containing 44 boxes of 10 ampoules of testosterone enanthate was seized from Steelworks Gym, together with postal related documents and packaging, and three boxes of 10 ampoules of water for injections.

4. A parcel was collected by MHRA investigators at Stansted Airport in November 2008. It contained 250 vials of an unidentified white powder. Analysis has since shown that this product contained no human growth hormone. It is believed this product was to be labelled, boxed and sold as Hygetropin by Flynn and Taylor. The estimated value of this product is £3,000.

5. Analysis of Flynn's computer by forensic experts revealed e-mails that appeared to show he was dealing in various steroids from July 2007. From March 2008, Flynn and Taylor appeared to enter into a project to import Hygetropin, then package and label the product, along with a contact based in China. Emails outlined the importation of parcels of the 'product' by courier from China to around ten addresses in the South Yorkshire area and the transfer of funds back to China.

6. Other e-mail evidence showed Flynn attempting to obtain suppliers for steroids, arranging importation and then offering to sell the products from June 2007 onwards. It is estimated the pair imported at least 8,000 vials of Hygetropin.

7. Methandienone, oxymetholone and testosterone are Class C Controlled drugs and prescription-only medicines (POM). They can only be given under the direction of a general practitioner and in accordance with a prescription.

8. The Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings have been adjourned to a later date.

9. If an individual is convicted of offences under the Medicines Act 1968, they can be sentenced to a maximum of two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Where appropriate the MHRA will use the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to determine whether or not benefits were accrued through criminal activity and will recoup illicit earnings if the individual is found guilty. In cases involving counterfeit medicines, the MHRA will use the Fraud Act or Trade Marks Act which both carry a maximum of ten-years imprisonment.

Source
MHRA