Three men have been charged in connection with stolen weight loss drugs in St Albans.
Shortly before 6.40pm on Saturday, 24 January, Pheonix Healthcare Distribution on Handley Page Way was broken into. Weight loss drugs, to the value of approximately £1million, were reportedly stolen.
Following work from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit (CSIU) and St Albans Criminal Investigation Department (CID), simultaneous warrants were executed on Wednesday 11 February.
Peter Costello, aged 44 and of Sydney Road, Sutton, Mark Harding, aged 55 and of Chertsey Road, Feltham, and Robert Townsend, aged 58 and of Lower Pillory Down, Sutton, were all charged with burglary and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
They appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court this morning (Friday 13 February) and were remanded ahead of a hearing at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday 17 March.
A fourth person, a woman aged in her 40s from Sutton, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and fraud by false representation. She has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Tony Fontenelle said: “Thanks to diligent work from officers, we have now successfully secured three charges and the case will now progress through the court system.
“I would also like to issue a reminder that these weight loss drugs must be stored correctly and are dangerous if they are not administered in the right way. These, along with other pharmaceutical items, should only be prescribed via a healthcare professional or bought through registered companies.
“I urge anyone who is offered weight-loss products at unusually low prices, or by unfamiliar companies or individuals, to contact the police.”
0 Comments