A criminal network supplying illegal steroids and prescription-only medicines has been handed a combined sentenced of more than 21 years in prison following convictions of the seven men involved, the UK medicines watchdog has said.
An investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) began after UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) identified websites linked to the Bolton area that were suspected of selling performance-enhancing steroids and other illegal medicines.
The activity was traced by MHRA investigators to a flat above commercial premises on St Helens Road which was being used to store, package and distribute the drugs, the regulator has confirmed.
The MHRA reported that officers seized more than 130,000 doses of steroids and unauthorised medicines that were being sold by mail order. These included products such as tamoxifen, finasteride and modafinil.
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It said that several people were charged with offences including conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, supplying unauthorised medicines, and money laundering to the value of over £1.8m.
Zaheer Mohammed Oomer, who is unemployed, pleaded guilty at an early stage to all charges, including money laundering offences to a value of £99,893.
Health and safety advisor Rizwan Atcha, former bank manager Imtiaz Atcha, and care worker Matthew Williams, pleaded guilty at the start of the trial in June 2025. Each admitted money laundering offences to the value of £772,112, £117,733 and £221,349 respectively, the MHRA said.
Abdul Khan, a scrap metal dealer, Saddaym Shahid, a mechanic, and Rajendra Patel, a scrap metal worker, were found guilty in July 2025 following a trial at Bolton Crown Court.
The MHRA said the three men faced charges of money laundering involving £139,967, £248,750 and £229,061 respectively.
Abdul Khan and Saddaym Shahid were both sentenced to a total of seven years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class C drugs, conspiracy to supply unauthorised medicinal products and money laundering.
Zaheer Mohammed Oomer was sentenced to four years and seven months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class C drugs, conspiracy to supply unauthorised medicinal products and money laundering.
Rizwan Atcha was sentenced to three years and one month in prison for money laundering while Imtiaz Atcha was was handed an 18-month suspended sentence, electronically-monitored curfew and 250 hours of unpaid work for money laundering.
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Rajendra Patel and Matthew Williams were also both given 24-month suspended sentences alongside electronically-monitored curfews and 250 hours of unpaid work for money laundering.
A proceeds of Crime Act confiscation investigation is ongoing, the regulator added.
MHRA head of intelligence, Tim Duffield, described the network as a ‘well-organised operation that put people at real risk’.
Mario Theophanous, UKAD’s head of intelligence and investigations, added: ‘Disrupting the supply of illegal performance-enhancing drugs is central to protecting sport.
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‘Our intelligence officers work in partnership with regulators and law enforcement, to identify and dismantle the criminal networks that make these substances available. That collaboration is a vital part of how we keep prohibited substances out of sport, and away from elite athletes and young people.’
The MHRA urged people only to obtain medicines from trusted and regulated sources, such as registered pharmacies.
Anyone who thinks they have been sold illegal or unsafe medicines, or is experiencing side effects, should seek medical advice and report concerns to the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.
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