Three men charged after £1M worth of weight loss drugs stolen
Three men have been charged over the theft of £1 million worth of weight loss pills in St Albans last month.
Hertfordshire Police said Phoenix Healthcare Distribution was attacked shortly before 6.40pm on January 24 and a large quantity of medicines were stolen from the store.
Mark Harding, 55, of Feltham, Peter Costello, 44, and Robert Townsend, 58, of Sutton, were charged with theft and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
Hertfordshire Police detective chief inspector Tony Fontenelle said: “Thanks to the diligent work of officers, we have now successfully secured three charges and the case will now progress through the court system.”
A woman in her 40s from Sutton was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and fraud by false representation and was released on bail pending further police inquiries.
Police are urging anyone who is offered weight loss products at unusually low prices or by foreign companies or individuals to contact them.
“I would also like to remind you that these weight loss medications must be stored correctly and are dangerous if not administered correctly,” Mr. Fontenelle said.
“These, along with other pharmaceutical products, should only be prescribed by a healthcare professional or purchased through registered companies.”
The three men charged were expected to appear at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning and were remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at St Albans Crown Court on March 17.
The Phoenix Healthcare Distribution centre, where medicines were allegedly stolen, distributes medicines to more than 6,700 pharmacies across the UK.
