Money laundering news 10/06/09 Illicit pharmaceuticals lead to jail sentence

A man facing charges relating to illicit pharmaceuticals and money laundering offences has been sentenced this week in the conclusion of one of the biggest inquiries yet undertaken by the Medicines and Health Care Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).

Martin Hickman, from Greater Manchester, had built a business with a £6 million turnover on supplying drugs over the internet; the court heard that he had not been aware that the trade had been illegal, nor that the merchandise was, in some cases fake. However, it also heard that Hickman had previously had his site closed down by the MHRA, and had been sentenced for ignoring the injunction in 2007.

It was argued that he had moved his proceeds through banks in the Cayman Islands, Malta and the Isle of Man, as well as local banks. No statement has yet been made about a potential reclamation order being issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Judge Deborah Taylor told Hickman, You were the prime mover and focus point and central to the trade. Given the history, scale and persistence of your offending, only a custodial sentence is appropriate. She sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on charges of possessing and supplying unlicensed drugs, of supplying counterfeit drugs, of advertising prescription-only medication and one charge of money laundering.

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