Four co-conspirators in a British steroid distribution ring have been ordered to pay the government over £4 million (approximately USD $6.2 million) or face additional time in prison under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
At a Proceeds of Crime Confiscation hearing, Judge Charles Gratwicke, of the Chelmsford Crown Court, determined that the organization made over £11 million (approximately USD $17.2 million) illegally selling anabolic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. The judge issued a confiscation based on the remaining, available assets of each conspirator.
Patrick Hyland, the mastermind of the steroid smuggling empire who was sentenced to 4-1/2 year imprisonment, was ordered to pay £596,047 based on his available assets after having accrued a criminal benefit of £5,142,110. He must pay the government within 6 months or face an additional four years in prison.
Hyacinth Hyland, the estranged wife of Patrick Hyland who was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, was ordered to pay £732,939 based on her available assets after having accrued a criminal benefit of £4,359,306. She must pay within 12 months or face an additional four years in prison.
Colin Lathbury, who was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, was ordered to pay £412,676 on a criminal benefit of £608,656 within six months or face an additional 3-1/2 years imprisonment.
Sanjay Mistry, who was given a suspended sentence, was ordered to pay £100,000 on a criminal benefit of £1,401,673 within six month or face two years in prison.
Patrick Hyland was described as “a major player in the murky world of the supply of steroids” by one judge. Prosecutors said that he used the proceeds of steroid sales to live a lavish “champagne lifestyle” involving expensive houses, cars, jewelry, art and luxury vacations.
The multi-million dollar steroid empire brazenly imported millions of dollars worth of steroids sometimes hidden in children’s toys. The steroids, including testosterone and Deca Durabolin, and human growth hormone (hGH) were imported by the van-load from the Czech Republic.
The Hyland steroid empire was exposed when police started investigating the suspected murder of a known steroid dealer named Paul Duckenfield. Duckenfield’s body has not been found and the case remains unsolved.
Photo credit: Mike Gifford – http://www.flickr.com/photos/mgifford/79952928/
Source:
Chelmsford Weekly News. (December 9, 2011). Couple stripped of assets worth £1.3m under Proceeds of Crime Act. Retrieved from http://www.chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk
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