Dark Web counterfeit drugs trio sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court

The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit and the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) prosecution team identified Marc James Ward as a leading global supplier of counterfeit Xanax. Ward, aged 36, along with Christopher James Kirby (aged 35) and Thomas Russell Durden (also aged 36) were sentenced to a total of 20 years and 11 months in prison following a case hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court.

The defendants were responsible for the production and supply of counterfeit Alprazolam tablets, as well as other controlled drugs (including the aforementioned counterfeit Xanax). The latter had been produced online and sold via Dark Web markets.

The defendants received payment for these drugs in bitcoin and used cryptocurrency to launder the proceeds.

Joanne Jakymec, chief crown prosecutor, stated: “These three defendants showed complete disregard for the possible health implications of their counterfeiting operation. They were focused only on their financial gain and not on the damage that their drug production and sale could cause to others.”

Jakymec continued: “We put together a compelling case with officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit and used expert witnesses in drugs supply and also cryptocurrency witnesses in order to deal with a challenging and complex case. The CPS will now begin proceedings to recoup the proceeds of crime from the defendants."

Fake medicines

It takes laboratory testing to confirm 100% if a medication is authentic or counterfeit, but there are often indicators in play.

Misspellings of the product name, manufacturer or main ingredients on medicine bottle labels or other packaging are some of the biggest and most noticeable mistakes.

Medication could change size and shape. Any sudden differences between refills should give pause for thought. It’s always best to call a doctor or a local pharmacy to confirm any changes.

Legitimate pills will always have a factory-made appearance. If tablets appear to be cracked, have a bubbled-up coating or are ‘crumbly’ then this should raise suspicions. Mouldy pills or jars containing excess powder or crystals should also be considered as suspicious.

Last, but by no means least, medication that has been delivered in the original manufacturer packaging should always be sealed. If it isn’t, then this is very much a red flag that’s something’s not right.