Man jailed for running illegal online pharmacy

A man who referred to himself as "Dr T" while running an illegal online pharmacy via WhatsApp has been jailed for more than 10 years.

Tarik Adam Mehmet Turan, of Burniston in Scarborough, set up "UK Pharmacy 2U", in which he offered prescription medication and recreational drugs for sale.

He also gave advice to customers about what medication they should take, despite having no medical training.

At York Crown Court on Thursday, Turan, 37, was jailed for 10 years and six months after admitting being concerned in the supply of a variety of controlled drugs ranging from Class A to Class C.

Turan also admitted possession of criminal property, after he failed to explain £280,000 paid into his various bank accounts.

Through WhatsApp, Turan would take orders and arrange delivery of drugs ranging from diazepam to cocaine.

The amount of prescription drugs he supplied would often be far beyond what would be classed as clinically safe.

After seizing his phone on his arrest on 11 May 2023, police officers discovered that he had made sales across the country, and as far as Scotland.

Det Con Darrel Temple said: "Taking illegal prescription drugs is dangerous and they contribute to a high number of drug deaths throughout the UK each year.

"Turan was fuelling this problem with his actions and has rightly been punished."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.