Illicit online sales of controlled drugs and unregulated medicines continue to pose risks to public safety, including misuse, dependence, and exposure to unsafe products.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced that Mark Robert Witchell has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment for offences involving illegal medicines supply.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said Mark Robert Witchell, 61, of Stoke-on-Trent, has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 3 March 2026.
The agency said the case followed an investigation by its Criminal Enforcement Unit into the unlawful supply of controlled drugs and the illegal sale of prescription-only and unauthorised medicines with a stated street value exceeding £3.7 million.
The MHRA said the outcome reflects ongoing enforcement action to protect the public from harmful and illicit medical products.
Introduction
The MHRA said the sentence was imposed after Witchell pleaded guilty to five offences linked to medicines and controlled drugs supplied unlawfully. The agency said the offending took place between August 2013 and December 2015.
The MHRA said the case relates to websites used to sell prescription-only medicines without a valid prescription and to supply controlled drugs and unauthorised medicinal products. It said the prosecution and investigation involved coordination with law enforcement partners.
Sentencing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court
The MHRA said Mark Robert Witchell, aged 61 and from Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 3 March 2026.
It said he had pleaded guilty to five offences at an earlier hearing, following an investigation by the MHRA Criminal Enforcement Unit.
The MHRA said three other individuals were convicted and sentenced in March 2023 for similar offences. It said the court proceedings relate to the illegal sale and supply of medicines and controlled drugs.
- Ten-year prison sentence imposed on 3 March 2026
- Five offences admitted following an MHRA Criminal Enforcement Unit investigation
- Related convictions for three others were recorded in March 2023
Scale and Nature of the Offences
The MHRA said the offending occurred between August 2013 and December 2015 and involved the unlawful supply of controlled drugs and the sale of medicines outside legal controls. It said the illegal sale of prescription-only medicines had a street value exceeding £3.7 million.
The MHRA said the group supplied Class B controlled drug codeine and Class C controlled drugs including alprazolam, diazepam, tramadol, zolpidem and zopiclone.
It said prescription-only medicines, including Cialis and Levitra, were sold without a valid prescription, alongside unauthorised medicinal products such as Kamagra, Apcalis and Aurogra.
- Controlled drugs supplied unlawfully
- Prescription-only medicines sold without a valid prescription
- Unauthorised medicinal products supplied to customers
Medicines and drug categories referenced by MHRA
| Controlled drug types | Class B codeine; Class C drugs including alprazolam, diazepam, tramadol, zolpidem and zopiclone |
| Prescription-only medicines | Including Cialis and Levitra supplied without a valid prescription |
| Unauthorised medicinal products | Including Kamagra, Apcalis and Aurogra, as cited in the case |
Financial Crime and Additional Charges
The MHRA said Witchell pleaded guilty to entering into arrangements that facilitated the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property under section 328(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. It also said he pleaded guilty to additional charges related to fraud following a police investigation.
The MHRA said sentencing for the fraud-related matters will occur separately. It said the criminal proceedings therefore include both medicines offences and financial crime offences connected to the case.
Offences listed in the MHRA case summary
| Controlled drugs supply | Supplying Class B and Class C controlled drugs contrary to section 4(3)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 |
| Prescription-only medicines | Selling or supplying prescription-only medicines otherwise than in accordance with a prescription under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 |
| Unauthorised medicines | Selling or supplying unauthorised medicinal products under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 |
| Criminal property arrangements | Concerned in an arrangement facilitating criminal property under section 328(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 |
International Elements and Arrest
The MHRA said Witchell spent around a decade overseas in Brazil and was arrested when attempting to re-enter the United Kingdom via ferry. It said, for the first time in the MHRA’s history, its Criminal Enforcement Unit took the rare step of seeking extradition, with work ongoing at the time of his return.
The MHRA said the case demonstrates how medicines-related offending can involve cross-border elements and extended timeframes. It said the investigation required sustained effort over a long and complex period.
Stakeholder Comments
Andy Morling, Head of the MHRA Criminal Enforcement Unit said;
“This case involved the large-scale illegal supply of powerful controlled drugs and unauthorised medicines, putting the public at serious risk of harm. The fact that Witchell spent a decade overseas thinking he had evaded justice makes this result all the more significant.”
“The dedication and professionalism shown by our Criminal Enforcement Unit officers throughout this long and complex investigation has been exceptional. These crimes damage and destroy lives, and this case sends a clear message that there is nowhere to hide for those who seek to profit from medicines trafficking.”
Ben Reid, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said;
“Witchell showed complete disregard for the vulnerable individuals who purchased from his websites and the dangers of the drugs he supplied, which were prescription medicines with side effects and high potential for addition. Indeed, relatives of victims described the devastating effects of addiction to drugs such as zopiclone on their loved one’s health and mental wellbeing.”
“Organised crime has no respect for borders, and we worked tirelessly to obtain evidence from abroad on this case, as well as liaising closely with partners including Staffordshire Police and the MHRA. This case demonstrates that the CPS is committed to pursuing criminals like Witchell wherever they are, for however long it takes.”
Closing Thoughts
The MHRA said the sentencing reflects the outcome of a Criminal Enforcement Unit investigation into the unlawful supply of controlled drugs and illegal sale of medicines.
It said the case involved prescription-only and unauthorised products sold without legal safeguards and linked to criminal property arrangements under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The agency said it remains responsible for regulating medicines and medical devices in the UK.
Sources: MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) press release, published 3 March 2026.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
