This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd65dx5dq90o

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Fake £4m Xanax drug gang boss jailed over West Midlands op Fake £4m Xanax drug gang boss jailed over West Midlands op
(31 minutes later)
Brian Pitts ran the operation with the help of his former partner, Katie Harlow, from a villa in ThailandBrian Pitts ran the operation with the help of his former partner, Katie Harlow, from a villa in Thailand
A gang leader who co-ordinated a £4m fake Xanax drug-making operation in sheds and garages across the West Midlands has been jailed for eight years.A gang leader who co-ordinated a £4m fake Xanax drug-making operation in sheds and garages across the West Midlands has been jailed for eight years.
Up to 11 million tablets were made in various locations in Tipton, Wednesbury and Wolverhampton and then sold on the dark web via cryptocurrency payments.Up to 11 million tablets were made in various locations in Tipton, Wednesbury and Wolverhampton and then sold on the dark web via cryptocurrency payments.
The criminal enterprise, between 2018 and 2019, was run from a luxury villa in Thailand by Brian Pitts, 30, who is one of 10 being sentenced for their part in the operation.The criminal enterprise, between 2018 and 2019, was run from a luxury villa in Thailand by Brian Pitts, 30, who is one of 10 being sentenced for their part in the operation.
The fake tablets were shipped across the UK and to the USA, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.The fake tablets were shipped across the UK and to the USA, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Tests revealed the amount of the active ingredient Alprazalam in the fake tablets varied from none at all to twice the proper amount.Tests revealed the amount of the active ingredient Alprazalam in the fake tablets varied from none at all to twice the proper amount.
Pitts, who had earlier pleaded guilty to six charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs, was described by Judge John Butterfield as "the beating heart of this enterprise".Pitts, who had earlier pleaded guilty to six charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs, was described by Judge John Butterfield as "the beating heart of this enterprise".
He said the ringleader controlled every part of the drugs operation and was constantly involved in it.He said the ringleader controlled every part of the drugs operation and was constantly involved in it.
Brian Pitts and Katie Harlow (pictured) were both involved in co-ordinating the operation from a Thai villaBrian Pitts and Katie Harlow (pictured) were both involved in co-ordinating the operation from a Thai villa
Pitts, of Beebee Road, in Wednesbury, was arrested by police when he returned to the UK with his then-partner Katie Harlow, who was also part of the Thai end of the criminal operation. Pitts, of Beebee Road in Wednesbury, was arrested by police when he returned to the UK with his then-partner Katie Harlow, who was also part of the Thai end of the criminal operation, and Lee Lloyd.
The officers were able to seize his mobile phone, which prosecutors described as a "goldmine of information", showing his involvement at all levels of the operation. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said they were all found with "designer clothes and Rolex watches in their luggage".
Four other members of the gang were jailed on Thursday, with five others due to be sentenced in the coming days. The officers were able to seize Pitts' mobile phone, which prosecutors described as a "goldmine of information", showing his involvement at all levels of the operation.
Four other members of the gang were jailed on Thursday, with five more due to be sentenced in the coming days.
Harlow, 27, of Lane Street, Bilston, was sentenced to two years and one month, after she earlier admitted a charge of converting and transferring criminal property.Harlow, 27, of Lane Street, Bilston, was sentenced to two years and one month, after she earlier admitted a charge of converting and transferring criminal property.
Judge Butterfield said that while it appeared Pitts had taken some actions in her name, none of them were without her knowledge.Judge Butterfield said that while it appeared Pitts had taken some actions in her name, none of them were without her knowledge.
The pills were produced in garages and shedsThe pills were produced in garages and sheds
Lee Lloyd, 48, of Shakespeare Road, Tipton, was sentenced to seven years and two months, after earlier admitting six charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs.Lee Lloyd, 48, of Shakespeare Road, Tipton, was sentenced to seven years and two months, after earlier admitting six charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs.
Judge Butterfield said he was "plainly a trusted right hand man to Brian Pitts" and took regular calls from him.
Kyle Smith, 26, of Arundel Road, Willenhall, was jailed for four years. He had previously pleaded guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs.Kyle Smith, 26, of Arundel Road, Willenhall, was jailed for four years. He had previously pleaded guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs.
The court heard he had been involved in packaging, posting and record-keeping and had been "in the middle of packaging pills" when police visited him.
Mark Bayley, 63, of Jeremy Road, Wolverhampton, was sentenced to six years and five months. He also previously pleaded guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.Mark Bayley, 63, of Jeremy Road, Wolverhampton, was sentenced to six years and five months. He also previously pleaded guilty to five charges, including conspiracy to supply Class C drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.
Police found a pill-making machine in operation at his address and he was described as having "pre-existing expertise".
The gang had bought four pill-pressing machines legally, before then setting up the criminal operation to make the fakesThe gang had bought four pill-pressing machines legally, before then setting up the criminal operation to make the fakes
Judge Butterfield said it would be wrong to dismiss the enterprise as "a minor cottage industry" and that it was instead "large scale, organised and determined".Judge Butterfield said it would be wrong to dismiss the enterprise as "a minor cottage industry" and that it was instead "large scale, organised and determined".
The gang had initially come to light after an investigation was launched by Pfizer, the manufacturer of the genuine Xanax tablets, which are used to treat anxiety.The gang had initially come to light after an investigation was launched by Pfizer, the manufacturer of the genuine Xanax tablets, which are used to treat anxiety.
'Could have fetched £11m''Could have fetched £11m'
The inquiry was then picked up by the Regional Organised Crime Unit, which discovered the gang had purchased legally four pill-making machines, enabling them to press more than 16,000 tablets an hour.The inquiry was then picked up by the Regional Organised Crime Unit, which discovered the gang had purchased legally four pill-making machines, enabling them to press more than 16,000 tablets an hour.
While the gang made £4m, the number of tablets they made could have fetched them more than £11m, the court heard.While the gang made £4m, the number of tablets they made could have fetched them more than £11m, the court heard.
The gang also purchased the powders needed to make the tablets and fake Xanax stamps. The gang also purchased the powders needed to make the tablets from China and bought fake Xanax stamps.
Illicit Alprazolam can contain other unknown and potentially harmful sedative drugs, and has been linked with a number of deaths in both the UK and US when mixed with other potent drugs.Illicit Alprazolam can contain other unknown and potentially harmful sedative drugs, and has been linked with a number of deaths in both the UK and US when mixed with other potent drugs.
Thousands of tablets were discovered by policeThousands of tablets were discovered by police
The UK Health Security Agency said there was evidence use was "a growing problem, particularly among young people and young adults".The UK Health Security Agency said there was evidence use was "a growing problem, particularly among young people and young adults".
Cranstoun, a harm reduction charity in the Black Country, said counterfeit drugs were often "much more potent and stronger than the drugs they are masquerading as".Cranstoun, a harm reduction charity in the Black Country, said counterfeit drugs were often "much more potent and stronger than the drugs they are masquerading as".
"We're proud of the role we played alongside the authorities to ensure these serious criminals were brought to justice," said Patrick Holt, director of global security at Pfizer."We're proud of the role we played alongside the authorities to ensure these serious criminals were brought to justice," said Patrick Holt, director of global security at Pfizer.
"We dedicated time, resource and expertise to ensure these illicit counterfeit activities were prevented in order to protect public health.""We dedicated time, resource and expertise to ensure these illicit counterfeit activities were prevented in order to protect public health."
Jonathan Kelleher from the CPS said it had been a case of "fake medicines being produced on an industrial scale, with significant potential harm to the public".
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.