Four men and one woman have been charged at Dudley Magistrates Court with offences relating to the illegal supply of prescription only and unlicensed medicines. 

They were charged yesterday (August 31) following an investigation by the MHRA’s criminal enforcement unit (CEU) into “illegally operating” websites allegedly offering products including “powerful” sleeping pills, strong painkillers and medicines for epilepsy and anxiety, the health watchdog said.

Birmingham Live has named the individuals as Everton Reynolds, Paul Billingham, Junior Ranger, Anita Rama and Andrew Nicholls, all aged between 40 and 60 and living in the Wolverhampton area.

Five charges have been brought against them under the Criminal Law Act 1977, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

In addition to charges relating to the illegal supply of medicines, they face a count of conspiracy to distribute goods bearing a sign identical to, or likely to be mistaken for, a registered trademark.

Everton Reynolds has also been charged with knowingly failing to disclose a key to protected information after being served with a notice under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.