Tuesday 12 July 2011

More 'Country Life Couple' Cohorts Sentenced For Illicit Animal Drugs Scam


Six more defendants involved in 'Ronnie and Reggie's' illegal black market veterinary drug supply have been sentenced.

All were linked to Ron Meddes, 73, and Regine Lansley, 62, as either agents, customers, money launderers or employees.

Andris Friend, 45,(pic.bottom) who was living in a stolen caravan on a Spalding, Lincolnshire farm when arrested, was sentenced to thirteen months imprisonment after admitting thirteen counts, plus additional counts covering later dates.

He was an agent of Meddes as well as a customer responsible for onward supply and traded in a false name, receiving 150 parcels in one six to nine month period.

"The stark fact is you were Meddes' agent in the UK, maybe his largest agent," Croydon Crown Court Judge Nicholas Ainley told Friend who traded in £400,000 worth of illegal medicines.

"Some of these drugs were extremely dangerous and having been arrested you carried on doing it."

DEFRA's senior investigating officer in the case, ex-cop Derrick Price said: “Friend was one of Eurovet's top buyers in the UK, selling huge amounts of dangerous and unauthorised drugs to animal owners throughout Lincolnshire and the east of England.

“There is little doubt that many animals would have suffered pain while friend made lots of money.”

Richard James, 44,(pic.top l.) of Llysonnen Road, Carmarthen pleaded guilty to supplying illegal medicines in his role as a trained practitioner in artificial insemination.

He bought £36,000 worth of medicines, which he sold on with a 25% mark up to local farmers in his area.

James was sentenced to 100 hours community service and immediately agreed to pay £45,551 - his profit from criminal activity.

Mr. Price said: "He purchased illegal drugs to maximise the profits of his business. There was no evidence to suggest his customers in Carmarthenshire knew he was using potentially harmful medicines."

Transport boss Mark Harvey, 52,(pic.top r.) of Hollyhurst, Wilsley Pound, Sissinghurst, Kent pleaded guilty to one count of laundering £292,000 of criminal profits made by the scam via a company he created.

The father-of-two was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to perform 275 hours community service.

Judge Ainley told him: "You have had this hanging over you and the public would say: 'serves you right.'

"It was your fault you were overawed by an extremely dangerous, skillful and impressive conman. A man you wanted to work with.

"This is what happens when you involve yourself with criminals."

Mr. Price said: "He was seduced by the champagne lifestyle of Ron and Reggie and knew exactly what he was doing in setting up a money laundering company."

New Zealand-born Cherryl Kantov, 64, and Igor Kantov, 52, both of Lee Villas, Hartington Place, Southend on Sea, Essex admitted minor roles assisting the scam when it moved to Belgium.

Cherryl provided basic admin duties and Igor drove for Meddes. Both were conditionally discharged for two years for their involvement in the illegal supply of medicines.

Mr. Price said: "Eurovet employed many eastern European men to transfer illegal drugs across Europe and act as minders at the storage areas. Igor was one of these men and Cherryl worked in the office processing illegal sales."

Millionaire cattle farmer Andrew Hawley, 59, of Six Hills Farm, Six Hills, Melton Mobray - boss of Leicestershire Livestock - was one of 4,000 farmers who bought illegal medication.

He pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing unauthorised and prescription-only veterinary drugs when his 200-acre farm was searched on July 31, 2008, but insists he believed they were legal.

He bought from Meddes for three to four years, paying £27,000, for medicines used on his herd, which numbered between 400-600 and his cattle annual turnover was 2,500 to 3,000.

Hawley was sentenced to 100 hours community service and ordered to pay £2,500 costs by Judge Ainley who said: "I am deeply suspicious, but I cannot say I am sure he knew they were illegal.

"He should have made checks. He is an experienced farmer with a large cattle-rearing establishment."

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