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Twelve suspects have been arrested after dawn raids in four counties across the West Midlands and the Northwest of England this morning (29 April) in what the MHRA says is its largest criminal investigation into organised medicines trafficking to date.

The individuals have been arrested on suspicion of participating in the activities of an organised crime group, conspiracy to sell or supply Controlled Drugs and unlicensed medicines, and money laundering.

The raids across the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Merseyside follow a lengthy intelligence-led investigation, codenamed ‘Operation Subaru’, by the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit.

In searches of 22 residential and commercial premises, hundreds of thousands of doses of medicines were seized, including opioid painkillers and anti-anxiety medicines, around £100,000 in cash, luxury watches and suspected criminal assets held in cryptocurrency.

The MHRA has also obtained restraint orders for more than £3.5 million in assets suspected to be linked to criminal activity.

Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, said: “Today’s search and arrest operation follows a long, complex and thorough investigation by the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit. Operation Subaru is the largest investigation we’ve ever undertaken and demonstrates the MHRA’s commitment to protecting the public by dismantling the organised international criminal networks that cause so much harm.”