A gang that made at least £10m selling counterfeit Viagra containing acid, paint and brick dust has been sentenced at the Old Bailey. The fake pills were sold through front companies between 2004 and 2011, netting about £60,000 a week.
The scam, described as a 'highly organised, large-scale criminal enterprise', had bases in North East Lincolnshire and Sussex. Bogus mail order firms claiming to sell jewellery, fishing tackle and cosmetics were used to accept payments, which were then laundered through bank accounts.
Judge Charles Wide QC said genuine drug firms found acid, brick dust and road paint in the fake pills, warning of 'catastrophic damage' to the public. Three men from London and Brighton received jail terms of six, four and five years for offences including money laundering and conspiracy to sell counterfeit goods.
Neil Gilbert, 42, of Crayford, was described as the head of the Sussex operation and jailed for six years. Mark Bristrow, 45, also of Crayford, got four years, while Seth Pennington, 42, of Brighton, received five years. Two women from Ulceby and Brighton were given three years and 10 months and two years and six months respectively.
Several other individuals received suspended sentences, including a man based in Thailand. The court heard the scam was 'sophisticated and carefully planned', targeting customers worldwide with cheap erectile dysfunction pills and other counterfeit medication.
