Drug-dealing pensioner jailed for selling huge quantities of fake Viagra pills
Peppino Fiori is believed to have imported and sold £210,000 in dodgy medicines
A DRUG-peddling pensioner is behind bars after he was caught selling huge quantities of fake Viagra pills.
Peppino Fiori is believed to have imported and sold £210,000 in unlicensed medicines for treating erectile dysfunction and depression.
Police found boxes fake Viagra, steroids and anti-depressants at the 66-year-old pensioner's home in Oxsted, Surrey.
He had been warned twice by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), but he kept it up and was busted.
An investigation of his computer found details of potential customers along with discussions about prices and delivery.
Guildford Crown Court heard how Fiori’s illegal activity posed serious health risks to the public as the medicines were potent and could cause serious side effects.
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He pleaded guilty to importing medicinal products without a licence, possession of unauthorised medicinal products with intent to supply, selling unauthorised products and possession with intent to supply of a Class C or other drug.
MHRA’s Head of Enforcement, Alastair Jeffery said: "Selling unlicensed medicines is illegal, the criminals that do this are not interested in your health – they only care about your money.
"Unlicensed medicines can be dangerous as they may contain incorrect ingredients, impurities and there is absolutely no way of knowing if they are manufactured to acceptable standards of quality and safety.
"Taking unlicensed medical products is playing the lottery with your health.
"We advise to only get medical products from legitimate high street outlets or online but only from e-retailers that display the distance selling logo."
Fiori was sentenced to 12 months in prison, after a hearing on Wednesday.
MHRA are urging the public to seek professional medical advice from GP’s and pharmacists if they need treatment for a condition.