By David Young-
In a landmark decision, the National Crime Agency ( ) has secured a £9.8 million confiscation order against the final member of a global anabolic steroid manufacturing and distribution network.
Mohammed Afzal, 39, of Belgrave Road in Slough, was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2019 for his involvement in conspiring to manufacture anabolic steroids.
Afzal, one of five individuals convicted following a meticulous NCA investigation that commenced in 2014, played a key role in the illicit operation. The investigation uncovered illegal shipments totaling approximately 42 tonnes, traced back to the group.
The process involved shipping raw powder from an Indian-based pharmaceutical company to the UK, where Afzal’s labs would convert it into liquid form before being sold on the black market to bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts.
Initially claiming to possess only around £100,000 in assets, Afzal’s attempts to conceal his financial gains were thwarted by NCA financial investigators.
The investigation revealed a series of property and cryptocurrency investments, often involving third parties to disguise the transactions.
Today, a judge at the Central Criminal Court issued a Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation order for Afzal’s assets, totaling £9.825 million.
This includes cryptocurrency portfolios valued at £7.5 million, a share in property investments in Berkshire and London worth approximately £1 million, and a Mercedes GLS SUV. Remarkably, this marks the largest single recovery of cryptocurrency under the Proceeds of Crime Act by the NCA.
Failure to comply with the confiscation order within three months will result in an additional 10 years of imprisonment for Afzal, with the outstanding amount still owed.
The confiscation order against Afzal brings the total recovered from the crime group to almost £12 million.
In a previous judgment, Alexander MacGregor from Dorney Reach in Maidenhead was ordered to pay £1.16 million, and ringleader Jacob Sporon-Fiedler, CEO of the company responsible for sourcing and shipping steroids from India, was instructed to hand over more than £700,000.
Other members of the gang, including Gurpal Dhillon and Nathan Selcon, also faced confiscation orders ranging from £3,300 to £167,000.
NCA Regional Head of Investigation Rob Burgess expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, highlighting the agency’s determination to pursue the proceeds of crime and prevent those involved in organized criminal activities from benefiting financially.
Tom Cawley of the CPS Proceeds of Crime Division commended the collaborative efforts between the NCA and the CPS, emphasizing the tenacity required to identify and freeze assets totaling £9.8 million. Cawley expressed pride in the £11.8 million retrieved from the defendants, sending a strong message to criminals that there is no refuge from investigation and prosecution.