Drugs conspiracy exposed ‘harms of steroid use and misuse’

Lee Ablitt was jailed for five years, and Christopher Thompson for two years and nine months, at Mold Crown Court on November 14.

Ablitt, 51, of Hoy Drive, Newton-le-Willows, was found to have kept almost 500,000 individual tablets between two storage units in Rhyl, as well as a suitcase with £434,000 in cash in it.

Thompson, 49, of Scot Lane, Wigan, “effectively took over the day-to-day running” of the operation, which lasted for four years and which police seized up to £2.1million worth of drugs from, in 2021.

Christopher Thompson (Image: North Wales Police) Following their sentencing, Detective Chris Wynne, of North Wales Police’s Central Priority Crime Team, said: “This investigation alone involved over 40 different drugs, and more importantly for users of steroids, some samples which were labelled as containing a specific steroid were found to contain different drugs, which highlights the uncertain and dangerous risk of these illicit products.

“In addition, around one in 50 people can be affected by a condition called body dysmorphic disorder, characterised by a deep level of distress around a perceived flaw in appearance, often around the size of muscles.

“Sufferers will believe that their muscles are not big enough, even though they may look very large to an observer.

“The anxiety and shame around the perceived lack of muscularity can lead to destructive and compulsive behaviours, one of which can be steroid abuse.

“I would urge anyone who thinks they may be struggling with this condition to reach out for help and support via the BDD website at bddfoundation.org.

“There is no doubt we have made a major impact in removing a significant risk of harm to our communities.

“We will continue to make North Wales a hostile environment for those who engage in organised criminality.

“I feel it is imperative that this investigation is used as a further platform to raise awareness around the harms of steroid use and misuse in the UK.”

In total, police found 1,326,560 individual tablets during their investigations, as well as roughly 68,000ml of liquid steroids.

Proceeds from the sales of these drugs were deposited into both defendants’ bank accounts - £213,845.97 by Thompson, and £255,854.08 by Ablitt.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing is due to take place in 2025, which will likely see Ablitt and Thompson ordered to pay at least some of these sums back.

Emeritus professor Jim McVeigh, an expert in substance use and associated behaviours who works for Change Grow Live, added: “The number of people using anabolic steroids appears to be on the increase.

“In a recently published study, it was estimated that approximately 500,000 individuals in the United Kingdon had used anabolic steroids in the previous 12 months, spanning all age groups and social demographics.

“The use of anabolic steroids, together with a range of associated image and performance enhancing drugs, have been linked with a diverse range of physical and psychological harms.

“Of most significant concern are the potential long term adverse effects including physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, changes to the cerebral cortex and impaired testosterone production, together with psychological harms such as dependence, depression and aggression.

“With the vast majority of anabolic steroids, and image and performance enhancing drugs in general being illicitly manufactured, it is not possible for anyone purchasing these substances to know the exact content of what they are using.

“Drugs may be different to the stated content or dosed at a different strength.

“With adverse effects often being related to specific active ingredients or dose dependent it is difficult to minimise potential harms.”

Robert Kearney, Ablitt’s barrister, said his client started bodybuilding as a teenager, had taken steroids himself since he was 18, and had developed his own addiction to them before buying and selling them in bulk.

Keith Harrison, representing Thompson, said he had also used performance-enhancing drugs, before beginning to supply them to friends – then, having known Ablitt for some time, he became part of his “supply chain”.

Emmalyne Downing, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “It was clear from the evidence that both men had been part of this criminal enterprise.

“Some may not think these drugs are dangerous, but they are controlled substances that can be harmful.

"The Crown Prosecution Service presented a strong case which ultimately led to a guilty plea, bringing the perpetrators to justice."