“Counterfeit Xanax Gang Busted in West Midlands: Ringleaders Convicted After International Investigation”

A drugs gang in the West Midlands region of England has been busted after producing millions of counterfeit Xanax pills in garden sheds and garages. The group, which included extended family members and friends, sold over £4m worth of fake pills on the dark web to customers in the UK and US.

The ringleaders, Brian Pitts and Katie Harlow, organized the marketing and online sales of the counterfeit pills from a luxury villa in Thailand. The gang was brought to justice after a five-year international investigation, with two members being convicted earlier this week.

The group made an “eye-watering” sum of money through online sales in 2018 and 2019, laundering the proceeds through cryptocurrency, mainly Bitcoin. Police discovered fake Xanax factories in Tipton and Wolverhampton, where forensic evidence suggested a major production of Alprazolam at a rate of 10,000 pills an hour.

The gang members faced charges related to the supply of class C drugs, money laundering, and trademark infringement. The prosecution revealed that the gang used chemical powder and drug presses bought lawfully to make and supply the fake pills.

Alprazolam, the active ingredient in Xanax, is a powerful tranquillizer used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Misuse of counterfeit Xanax can cause over-sedation, collapse, and overdose. The UK Health Security Agency has warned that the use of counterfeit Xanax is a growing problem, particularly among young people.

Alistair Bryant, a former user of counterfeit Xanax, is calling for more controls to reduce the impact of black market sales. Illicit Alprazolam can contain other unknown and potentially harmful sedative drugs, leading to fatal overdoses when mixed with other potent substances.

The gang members are awaiting sentencing, with no date set yet. The case highlights the dangers of counterfeit drugs and the need for stricter regulations to protect public health.