Dangerous fake weight loss drugs seized
An organised crime group peddling fake, dangerous and illegal weight loss drugs had its operations disrupted following raids in the county this week.
The operation, at a property near Sleaford and in Grantham, was part of an ongoing investigation into the production and distribution of the drugs, which can leave some people feeling ill.
Officers searched a large agricultural building in Newton that is believed to have been converted into an illegal manufacturing facility. Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement also supported the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and Lincolnshire Police in executing the planned warrant.
No arrests have been made, but a significant quantity of products and equipment was seized, which represents a major disruption to an organised crime group suspected of producing unlicensed weightloss substances and selling them online. Investigators believe the products were being marketed online, including social media platforms such as TikTok, enabling rapid and widespread distribution of unregulated and potentially dangerous drugs.
Reports that members of the public who had bought the drugs had become unwell or found they did not work had been followed up - the MHRA has warned that the injections pose a serious risk to health, with untested ingredients, incorrect dosing, and potential contamination that can lead to significant harm.
The final tally from Tuesday’s seizures is still being confirmed, but officers have recovered thousands of doses of the weight loss drug, equipment used in the manufacturing process, vehicles, and a large quantity of suspected pharmaceutical ingredients. The pharmaceutical ingredients from the scene have been sent for laboratory analysis to determine their exact composition.
Andy Morling, Head of the MHRA's Criminal Enforcement Unit, said:
"The message from Tuesday could not be clearer: we are coming for you. Every illegal product seized, every arrest, every prosecution brings us closer to dismantling these networks completely and protecting the public and we will stop at nothing to hold criminals to account for the harm they are knowingly doing.”
DI Samuel Ward, of Lincolnshire Police’s Intelligence Development Unit said:
“The production and sale of counterfeit weightloss drugs is incredibly dangerous - these substances are unregulated and pose a real risk to anyone who uses them.
“The information we received allowed us to identify, plan, and execute a warrant that has caused serious disruption to a group profiting from unregulated weight loss drugs.
“Criminal groups exploiting vulnerable people for profit have no place in our communities, and we will continue to work relentlessly with our partners to dismantle these operations and keep the public safe.”
The public is urged not to purchase medication from unverified online sources and to report suspicious products or activity. The MHRA has issued guidance on the safe use of GLP-1 medicines, including that these medicines should not be bought from unregulated sellers such as beauty salons or via social media: GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know - GOV.UK
