Fourteen sentenced in North Wales for 'greedy' conspiracy to sell £2m of illegal steroids

Wales
Friday 25 May 2018 at 3:40pm

12 of the 14 defendants sentenced today at Mold Crown Court. Credit: North Wales Police

Fourteen people who wanted a “greedy profit” from illegally selling steroids in North Wales have received jail sentences totalling more than 45 years for conspiracy and money laundering.

North Wales Police uncovered £2m of imports which could have netted criminals a £1.2m profit.

Operation Fasti was launched following seizures by Customs officers of parcels from China and Hong Kong bound for addresses in Deeside, Flint and Ruthin.

Those jailed included a father and son, a mother and son and a mother and daughter, and a 68-year-old pensioner

A storage locker in Denbigh. Credit: North Wales Police

Judge Huw Rees told Mold Crown Court the defendants - some of which were of 'previous good character' - wanted to make a 'greedy profit' from illegally selling steroids.

The judge said David Jenkins, 37, from Flint, Andrew Dodd, 51, and Macauley Dodd, 23, from Conwy, played leading roles. Jenkins was jailed for six years, Andrew Dodd five years and his son Macaulay Dodd, five years.

Jenkins' 68-year old mother, Maureen Jenkins, was jailed for 20 months for providing a safe house for her son.

Investigating Officer Det Con Ian Millington at St Asaph CID said the imports were often disguised as food products and sold using a professionally set up website:

This was a multi-million pound criminal enterprise where steroids were sold UK and worldwide, having been manufactured using raw products imported from Hong Kong and mainland China. The imports of the raw products and manufacturing equipment was often disguised as food products and food related equipment. The steroids were generally sold using a professionally set up website giving customers the impression the drugs were produced in sterile laboratory conditions. This could not have been further from the truth and the laboratory when found was in a dirty and dusty outbuilding at an address linked to some of the defendants. Whilst Steroids are classed as Class C drugs there are well recognised and documented side effects associated with their use which is why those involved must realise there is a consequence to their actions.

Abbie Roberts, 25, and Samantha Fletcher, 47, from Flint, Helen Massey, 46, from Shotton, and Christina Fisher, 45, of West Yorkshire, all admitted one charge of conspiracy to supply Class C drugs. All three were jailed for 3 years and 4 months each.

28-year-old Joseph Taylor-Hannah, from Huddersfield, admitted possession with intent to supply Class C drugs, and was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Craig Anholm, 47, was jailed for 2 years and 8 months, and Joshua Jones, 28, was jailed for four years. Both were of Castleford.

Money retrieved from a location in Deeside. Credit: North Wales Police

A 63-year-old man, Brian Craig, who allowed deliveries to his Shotton home was given three years.

Scott Watson, 36, was jailed for four years and two months, while a 37-year-old man, Colin Mark Sullivan, admitted conspiracy to conceal criminal property in relation to money but not drugs.

His joint purchase of a property in Church Street, Connah’s Quay, as a drop for parcels meant he had played a leading role in the conspiracy. He was jailed for two years and five months.

A proceeds of crime hearing has been set for April next year.