A BRITISH pharmacy owner's efforts to diversify from mainstream pharmacy have landed him with a 28-month jail sentence.
The Birmingham-based pharmacist, Sarfraz Hussain's shift in focus from licenced retailer to illegal wholesaler, saw him order medications worth up to 1.4 million, which he sold on to drug dealers.
Local news website, BirminghamLive, reported the 49-year-old had squandered the profits from his side hustle on expensive cars - which some may view as a solid investment - and "business pipe-dreams".
Appearing before Birmingham Crown Court, Hussain admitted to four charges of supplying class C drugs and three counts of possession with intent to supply a class C drug.
The prosecution noted that the products concerned were all prescription-only medications, and were tranquillizers, which are in "huge demand" on the illicit market.
It was noted that Hussain had held a wholesale licence, which had been revoked after investigators found deficiencies with his business procedures and record keeping.
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