A £240,000 Ferrari, Rolex watches and £50,000 in cash seized in raid on ‘Botox cowboys’ importing unlicensed vials and fillers

Police impounded a £240,000 Ferrari during a series of dawn raids on so-called ‘Botox cowboys’ who are suspected of illegally selling black market products.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) arrested three people after finding 10,000 vials of botulinum toxin, dermal fillers and numbing agents which are believed to have been lined up for sale on social media and direct to salons.

The Ferrari, an F12 Berlinetta, was found at an address in Bolton, along with £50,000 in cash and expensive Rolex watches during the raid on Thursday, July 13. 

It was one of seven searches to take place in the Bolton and Wigan areas as police work with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in Operation Stryker.

The agency wants to hit back at the black market for unlicensed beauty products which are not guaranteed to be safe, with those found in this haul believed to have been imported from South Korea, The Sun reports.

Andy Morling, MHRA head of enforcement, told the paper the criminal gangs exploit people’s concerns about how they look to make ‘huge’ profits, with no regard for safety. 

He said: ‘If we have not licensed these products for use there’s no guarantee they are safe.

‘At best, it’s a genuine product that hasn’t been through UK quality checks.

‘At worst, however, it could be anything. Sticking that under your skin is a Russian roulette.’

‘They [criminal gangs] don’t give a monkey’s about the harm they cause.’

Botulinum toxin is often injected into the skin by people looking to smooth lines and wrinkles. 

However, if done incorrectly or given the wrong dose, it can cause a frozen look with users having difficulty moving muscles in their face. It can also cause eyelids or eyebrows to droop if the toxin moves to these areas.

Detective Inspector James Coles from GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, added that the criminals make ‘hundreds, thousands, ­millions’ of pounds in untaxed revenue from the black market for these products.

Police said a 34-year-old man and two women between the ages of 36 and 53 were taken into custody on suspicion of money laundering and offences under human medicines legislation.

Speaking after the raids, DI Coles said: ‘This morning’s action showcases a really good example of partners working together to combat issues that are prevalent in our communities, we are determined to tackle money laundering in Greater Manchester and endeavour to make it as hard as possible for individuals to conceal illicit finance.

‘Whilst we have 3 in custody, an investigation remains ongoing, and we will continue to investigate and eradicate this type of criminal activity from the area.’

Mr Morling added: ‘Medicines like these are powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands, potentially leading to serious adverse health consequences. The criminals trading in these products are not only breaking the law, they also have no regard for your safety.

‘It is illegal to advertise, sell or supply medicines such as these without the appropriate authorisation. If you see these products, or any other powerful medicines, being sold on social media or elsewhere online, think. It’s unlikely to be legitimate. You can help the MHRA take action by reporting concerns to us through our Yellow Card scheme.

‘Our Criminal Enforcement Unit will continue working to protect your health by disrupting this harmful and illegal trade. We’re grateful to our partners in Greater Manchester Police, for helping in our efforts to do this today.’