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An “unofficial pharmacist” from Scarborough who went by the name ‘Dr T’ has been jailed for 10 years and six months.

Tarik Adam Mehmet Turan, aged 36 from Eastfield, was sentenced yesterday (April 24) after being pleading guilty to being involved in the supply of “controlled drugs of Class A to Class C” over a one-year period, North Yorkshire Police have said. 

Using a WhatsApp group he named 'UK Pharmacy 2U,’ Mr Turan arranged sales to of drugs ranging from diazepam to cocaine to customers across the UK. 

Acting as a middleman who did not deliver drugs himself, he would “post extensive price lists of medications and ‘recreational’ drugs to the group,” said the police force.

The force added: “He acted as an unofficial pharmacist using the name ‘Dr T’, with his customers asking his advice about what the best ‘medication’ was for them.

“Despite having no medical training, Turan would offer guidance on the best drugs to take and would then happily take payment and supply amounts far outweighing what would be clinically safe.

“Customers would pay money to Turan in a variety of ways.”

He was arrested in May 2023 when his phone was seized, revealing the scale of his criminal enterprise. In April 2024 he was charged with 33 offences relating to the supply of drugs as well as the criminal possession of property after he could not explain £280,000 that had been paid into “his various bank accounts.” 

Investigating officer DC Darrel Temple said: “The sentence handed down to Turan is a clear message that drug dealing will not be tolerated and that, eventually, those involved will face serious consequences.

“Turan thought he was safe operating an online business of supplying every drug you could imagine and making vast profits from it.

“His operation covered the whole country, and he was actively supplying medication that should only be prescribed by a qualified medical professional. Turan is anything but this.

“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.

“It is apparent from the way Turan operated that he has a sufficient skill set to run a successful business.

“He now has time in prison to hopefully reflect on this and put his skills to better and law-abiding use when released.”