Delivery Driver Admits Stealing Thousands in Ozempic Heist for Personal Use
A long-serving delivery driver has admitted to pilfering a substantial quantity of a popular weight-loss medication, Ozempic, from his employer. The court heard that the driver, Peter Daniel, 62, stole over £4,000 worth of the drug, which he claimed was to treat an undisclosed eating disorder.
Daniel, from Croydon in South London, appeared before Croydon Magistrates’ Court, facing charges related to the theft of more than 30 boxes of Ozempic from Cencora Alliance Healthcare, the pharmaceutical wholesaler where he had been employed for an impressive 23 years. His tenure with the company was previously marked by an unblemished record.
The illicit activities came to light when a customer lodged a complaint about a missing portion of their order. A subsequent review of the company’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage revealed Daniel in the act of taking boxes from pigeon holes that did not belong to him. The thefts are understood to have occurred over a period spanning from April 17 to May 5 of this year, with the customer’s complaint being filed on May 13.
The Discovery and Legal Proceedings
Michael A’Herne, the prosecuting barrister, detailed the sequence of events to the court. He explained that the complainant, who was responsible for delivering medication to various pharmacies, including well-known chains like Boots, reported missing refrigeration materials. This prompted an investigation into the CCTV footage.
“The defendant stated that in his role as a delivery driver he would collect packs from his pigeon hole, but on CCTV he could be seen to swipe several products from several different pigeon holes,” Mr A’Herne told the court.
A police search of Daniel’s residence uncovered the extent of the thefts. Officers discovered 34 boxes of Ozempic concealed within his fridge. The estimated retail value of these stolen parcels was £4,080, with each individual box valued at approximately £300.
Mr A’Herne emphasised the seriousness of the offence, particularly given the nature of the medication. He highlighted that Ozempic, while a legitimate medical treatment, “could be dangerous in the hands of someone who doesn’t know how to use them or has not been prescribed them.” He argued that Daniel’s actions warranted the highest degree of culpability due to the significant “degree of trust” placed in him as a delivery driver.
The court was also informed about the broader issue of missing parcels within the company. Mr A’Herne mentioned that Cencora Alliance Healthcare experiences a staggering loss of up to 15,000 parcels per month, amounting to a financial deficit of £300,000. He suggested that Daniel’s admitted thefts likely contributed to these substantial figures.
Defence Arguments and Sentencing Adjournment
Daniel’s defence, presented by Mohammed Bismillah, highlighted his extensive and previously unblemished service record with the company. Mr Bismillah stressed that Daniel was not motivated by financial gain but was using the medication to manage an unspecified eating disorder. “He was using the items for his own use, not commercial gain,” he stated.
In light of Daniel’s prompt guilty plea, Mr Bismillah urged the magistrates to consider a community-based sentence.
Daniel himself, dressed in a blue sports jumper and a grey t-shirt, spoke only to confirm his personal details and enter his plea. His LinkedIn profile indicates he commenced his employment with Cencora Alliance Healthcare (formerly AmerisourceBergen) in 2002. His responsibilities were described as the safe delivery of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, maintaining accurate records, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing professional customer service.
The Chair of the Bench, Brij Kalia, informed Daniel that sentencing would be deferred until July 28. This adjournment is to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report, which will provide the court with more comprehensive information about Daniel’s circumstances.
“We are not in a position to sentence you today as we need some more information about you,” Ms Kalia stated. “We will come back to court for sentencing and that will include all options including going to the crown court if required.”
Peter Daniel was granted unconditional bail. The sentencing hearing will reconvene at the same court on July 28.
