Tag: organised crime

Seven sentenced after MHRA investigation uncovers £1.8m illegal medicines and steroids network

An MHRA-led investigation has exposed a £1.8 million illegal medicines and steroids network, leading to seven men being sentenced

Seven men have been sentenced after an investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Criminal Enforcement Unit into a large-scale criminal network supplying illegal steroids and prescription-only medicines. The group received combined sentences totalling more than 21 years’ imprisonment. 

The investigation began after UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) identified website linked to the Bolton area that were suspected of selling performance-enhancing steroids and other illegal medicines. 

MHRA investigators traced the activity to a flat above commercial premises on St Helens Road, which was being used to store, package, and distribute the drugs. 

During enforcement action, officers seized more than 130,000 doses of steroids and unauthorised medicines that were being sold by mail order. These included products such as tamoxifen, finasteride and modafinil, highlighting the scale and complexity of the illegal supply network. Further searches across Bolton led to a number of arrests. 

Following a detailed investigation, several individuals were charged with offences including conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, supplying unauthorised medicines, and money laundering to the value of over £1.8 million.  

Tim Duffield, MHRA Head of Intelligence said: ““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, UKAD’s Head of Intelligence and Investigations, said: “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.” 

Zaheer Oomer, who is unemployed, pleaded guilty at an early stage to all charges, including money laundering offences to a value of £99,893.  

Rizwan Atcha, a health and safety advisor, Imtiaz Atcha, a former bank manager, and Matthew Williams, a care worker, also pleaded guilty at the start of the trial in June 2025. Each admitted money laundering offences to the value of £772,112, £117,733 and £221,349 respectively.

Abdul Khan, a scrap metal dealer, Saddym Shahid, a mechanic, and Rajendra Patel, a scrap metal worker, pleaded not guilty and stood trial at Bolton Crown Court. They faced charges of money laundering involving £139,967, $248,750 and £229,061 respectively. Following consideration of extensive evidence, the jury found all three men guilty on 7 July 2025. 

A Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation investigation is ongoing. 

The MHRA reminds the public to only obtain medicines from trusted and regulated sources, such as registered pharmacies.

Anyone who suspects they have been sold illegal or unsafe medicines, or is experiencing side effects, should seek medical advice and report any concerns to the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.  

Convictions 

  • Abdul Khan and Saddaym Shahid – Conspiracy to supply class C drugs 4 years imprisonment. Conspiracy to supply unauthorised medicinal products 18 months imprisonment concurrent. Money laundering 3 years imprisonment consecutive. Total 7 years imprisonment. 
  • Mohammed Oomer – Conspiracy to supply class C drugs 35 months imprisonment. Conspiracy to supply unauthorised medicinal products 18 months imprisonment concurrent. Money laundering 20 months imprisonment consecutive. Total 4 years 7 months. 
  • Rizwan Atcha – 4 counts of money laundering. 37 months imprisonment concurrent on each count. Total 3 years and 1 month imprisonment. 
  • Imtiaz Atcha – 4 counts of money laundering. 18 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years. Electronically monitored curfew from 9pm to 7pm for four months. To do 250 hours of unpaid work.  
  • Rajendra Patel – 2 counts of money laundering. 24 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years. Electronically monitored curfew from 9pm to 7pm for four months. To do 250 hours of unpaid work. 
  • Matthew Williams – 4 counts of money laundering. 24 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years. Electronically monitored curfew from 9pm to 7pm for four months. To do 250 hours of unpaid work. 

Brothers jailed for serious and organised crime offences

Two brothers have been jailed as part of a large-scale investigation into serious and organised crime.

Kieran and Aaron Miller, 31 and 34 respectively, plead guilty on Thursday, 12 March, 2026, at the High Court in Glasgow to offences relating to supplying drugs and using encrypted devices between November 2019 and June 2020.

Yesterday, Wednesday, 22 April, 2026, they were each sentenced at the same court to six years in prison.

Their part in sourcing and distributing illicit drugs worth over £1 million was uncovered as part of Operation Enchanting, closely linked to Operation Venetic – a Europe-wide investigation to identify and dismantle organised crime groups utilising encrypted devices.

The brothers are believed to have been supplying dealers rather than end users and, on a weekly basis, were found to be moving large quantities of cocaine, diamorphine, MDMA, cannabis, amphetamine and diazepam in the Fife and Central Scotland areas.

During the investigation, detectives uncovered that the pair sent over 36,000 messages via EncroChat devices, including images of cash and drugs.

Detective Inspector Craig Davies said: “Drugs cause misery in our communities and we are committed to use every tool and tactic at our disposal to bring those responsible for the sourcing and distribution of illicit drugs to justice.

“This result has taken a significant quantity of Class A and Class B drugs off the streets, and the people behind the deal will now face the consequences of their actions.

“This operation and our other recent successes underline our unwavering commitment to working with partners, including the NCA, Border Force and SOC Taskforce, to disrupt this sort of criminality.

Operation Portaledge: Man convicted of machete attack in Edinburgh

A 50-year-old man has been convicted following a violent offence in Edinburgh.

Anthony Brown pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday (Tuesday, 14 April, 2026), to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.

Officers were made aware of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Greenbank around 9.20pm on Thursday, 22 May, 2025.

Brown was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Friday, 4 July, 2025, following the execution of a warrant.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “Another individual has been convicted in relation to this violent incident.

“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.

“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Crimestoppers: Illegal cigarettes

Did you know over 1.3 billion illegal cigarettes were seized between April 2023 and March 2024?

Community information helps uncover hidden supply chains, storage sites and those behind the sales.

By sharing what you know with Crimestoppers, you can help protect children, support local businesses and disrupt organised crime. We don’t need to know your name or where you’re from, just what you know about the crime.

Learn more: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/…/illegal-tobacco-fuels…

Operation Portaledge: Three convicted of wilful fire-raising offences

Three men have been convicted of wilful fire-raising offences linked to Operation Portaledge.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, 26 March, 2026, Marshall O’Hara, 21, and Fraser Stewart, 22, pleaded guilty to four wilful fire-raising offences. Aiden McLaughlin (pictured above), 21, pleaded guilty to one wilful fire-raising offence.

All three pleaded guilty in relation to a wilful fire-raising at a premises on Wellington Road in Bishopbriggs on Tuesday, 8 April, 2025.

O’Hara and Stewart were also convicted in relation to wilful fire-raisings at a property on Ashgill Road, Glasgow and a property on Meadow Court, Stepps, on Monday, 7 April, as well as a property on Colston Drive, Bishopbriggs on Monday, 14 April.

They are all due to be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, 13 May.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “These were worrying incidents for the local community and now those responsible will face the consequences of their actions.

“We will continue to bring those intent in being involved in serious and organised crime to justice.

“These convictions are further examples of Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Ten pubs lost for every new vape shop over last decade, analysis reveals

  • Scotland has lost 350 pubs and bars since 2016 and 650 since 2010
    “Unwanted shops” filling the void with nearly 1,900 more barbers, nail salons and other beauty outlets appearing since 2010
    New inquiry launched into “repairing Britain’s broken high streets”

For every extra local tobacco and vape shop since 2016, ten pubs have disappeared, new research shows.

The last decade saw Scotland lose 350 pubs and bars, while the number of vape and tobacco shop rose by 35 to 210 in total, according to analysis of official figures by cross-party think tank the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).

Analysis of business counts of registered businesses in Scotland showed a 10 per cent rise in the number of barbers, nail salons and other beauty outlets appearing since 2016 – rising to 85 per cent when compared to 2010.

Launching a new Broken High Streets inquiry, the CSJ warns that valued community assets like pubs are being replaced by a wave of “dodgy shops” that do not reflect real consumer demand.

Polling conducted by Ipsos found that almost seven in ten people (68 per cent) say there are too many vape shops on the high street, while 58 per cent say there are too many barber shops, and 50 per cent say there are too many nail bars.

Given the existence of three million estimated unregistered businesses, the true rise of “dodgy shops” is likely to be even higher than the official count. The Local Data Company, which carries out detailed surveys of all retail areas, found 3,573 specialist vape shops in the UK in 2023, 1,393 more than official estimates across the UK as a whole.

Publicans and shopkeepers are under renewed pressure from rate increases, years of high inflation, duty, and VAT. At the same time, legitimate businesses risk being pushed off the high street by businesses operating as fronts for money laundering, illegal working and organised crime.

One recent investigation found that 3,624 shops had illegal goods seized from them in 2024-25, with HMRC and Border Force seizing 1.2 billion illegal cigarettes in the same period.

In October last year, the National Crime Agency destroyed over £2.7 million of criminal tobacco, vapes and drugs being sold off the high street.

The illicit tobacco trade is estimated to cost taxpayers £1.8 billion, nine times the amount the UK government has invested in neighbourhood policing, worth the equivalent of recruiting over 26,000 new police officers to make our high streets safer.

Connor Naismith MP, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said: “Dodgy vape shops, mini-marts and fake barbers are a front for exploitation and organised crime, pushing people out of our high streets and making a mockery of the law.

“Stronger powers for trading standards to shut down these criminal enterprises are urgently needed and are vital for any successful policy aimed at renewing our high streets and town centres.”

Naismith made his remarks as the CSJ launches a call for evidence to “repair Britain’s broken high streets”, warning that social breakdown across town and city centres is undermining the pillars of community life.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2033536529742627001

The think tank has also created an interactive tool called Oi! Mind Your Buainess! which lets people see which shops and businesses are thriving or declining in their community.

The CSJ warn that a toxic cocktail of organised crime, illegal trading, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are compounding long-term economic challenges facing high-streets, and that local authorities are woefully underequipped to tackle the breakdown in law and order.



Josh Nicholson, Head of Housing and Communities at the Centre for Social Justice, said: “Scotland’s high streets are changing and not for the better.

“The explosion of ‘dodgy shops’, shoplifting, and anti-social behaviour across town and city centres points to a breakdown in community life that must urgently be addressed.

“With national elections later this year, it is critical that political parties have a plan to clean up the social breakdown wrecking Scottish communities.”

Please respond to the CSJ’s call for evidence here.

Joshua Stewart convicted of serious organised crime offence in Edinburgh

A 21-year-old man has been convicted following an attempted murder in Edinburgh. Joshua Stewart pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday (5 March, 2026.)

Officers were made aware of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh around 9.20pm on Thursday, 22 May, 2025.

Stewart was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on Monday, 16 June, 2025.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “This was a violent incident and the conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country.

“We will continue to bring those involved in serious criminality to justice.

“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.

Three to appear in court following drugs raid

Two men and a woman have been arrested and charged after drugs with an estimated value of around £364,000 were recovered from a property in Gilmerton.

A warrant was executed in the Combe Cruik area on Tuesday, 3 March.

During the search PD Freddie (pictured), an eight-year-old Springer Spaniel specialist drugs search dog, indicated to officers that drugs were concealed in a room.

Officers recovered 3.64kg of diamorphine with an estimated street value of around £364,000 and a five figure sum of cash.

The men, both aged 32, and a woman aged 36, were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences. They were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday (Wednesday, 4 March).

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lumsden said: “This was a significant recovery which highlights our continued commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce, and the country’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.

“Drugs cause misery in our community and the public has an important role to play in helping us to take action against those responsible for the manufacture and sale of illegal substances.

“Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact us on 101 or make a call to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Multi-agency Operation Lockstream initiated to tackle organised crime

Drugs worth more than £180,000 have been recovered as part of multi-agency operation to tackle organised immigration crime across the country.

Officers engaged with more than 660 people travelling in and out Scotland using airports, roads and ferry terminals across three days of action, which began on Tuesday, 24 February.

Thirty vehicles were searched at ports in Stranraer, which resulted in 27kgs of cannabis being discovered at Loch Ryan. At Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, 78 flights were met.

Over the course of the activity, £7,000 worth of cash was seized and four people were arrested in connection with drugs, road traffic and immigration offences.

A key aim of Operation Lockstream was to safeguard vulnerable people at risk of exploitation and Police Scotland officers worked closely with partners from the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), Border Force, Home Office Immigration, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and the Scottish SPCA throughout.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, Police Scotland’s lead for Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, said: “Organised immigration crime is happening now in Scotland and tackling it is a priority.

“We know that criminals use our transport hubs for a range of illegal activities, and working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting those who exploit vulnerable people solely for financial gain.

“Action like this is only possible through the continued support of our communities. Anyone with information or concerns should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“I can assure you that you will be listened to and the information you provide could prove vital in helping us identify those involved in this type of criminality.”

Deputy Chief Constable Wendy Gunney, NPCC’s Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce lead, said: “This week we have leveraged all of law enforcement powers at the UK’s borders to target people who come to the UK to commit any form of criminality.

“It has been a significant joint effort involving many officers, staff, and multiple agencies, across the rail network, roads, seaports and airports.

“This activity has generated strong results and crucial intelligence that will help us recognise patterns and better understand these criminal networks, ensuring we collectively continue to identify offenders and bring them to justice.”

Four men convicted of serious organised crime offences

Four men have been convicted of serious organised crime offences linked to Operation Portaledge.

Kieran Abercrombie, 32, Kenzie Gardner (pictured, top), 19, Tyler Ramage (pictured, above), 19, and Robert Thomson (pictured, below), 18, pleaded guilty to wilful fireraising at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Thursday, 12 February, 2026.

They had been arrested and charged by police on 23 May, 2025, after two vehicles were deliberately set on fire in Pitcairn Grove in Edinburgh on Thursday, 8 May 2025.

Abercrombie, Gardner and Thomson, also pleaded guilty in relation to a fire at a premises on Cumbernauld Road in Stepps, which happened on Thursday, 8 May, 2025.

Thomson also pleaded guilty to a firearms offence, while Abercrombie pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal activity.

They are all due to be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, 10 March.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “These were concerning incidents for the local community and now those responsible will face the consequences of their actions.

“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.

“These convictions are further examples of Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy”

Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.