Follow up from T3 seized post earlier this year - Thyroid UK

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Follow up from T3 seized post earlier this year

PDN1 profile image
PDN1
54 Replies

Umm, well just had an interesting call from my Mum in UK, She just had a 9pm visit from local Police asking for me, concerning this, (March) T3 seizure. I do not know if they would have been dealing with me as an allrdged Offender?!?!?! I have no more details as she is elderly. She gave them my email so I will see if they follow it up as I live in Canada. I am totally confused as I did not think a 3 month supply of T3 was an issue? 100 tabs. Does anyone have any references to prove there is no offence here or,if it is an offence, that is a big deal if that is the case and people need educating. At the time I received the letter I tried to find reference to T3 importation and failed

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PDN1
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helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

I believe the law that applies is as below.

I am not aware of any specific quantity or medicine - so long as it is a) not a controlled drug (T3 isn't); b) there is no evidence you are intending to sell or otherwise supply anyone else.

If you live in Canada was your Mum going to post it on to you? That could be a complication as it could look like her exporting it which is a whole other issue.

Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

PART 3 Manufacturing and wholesale dealing

Grant etc of licences

Manufacturing of medicinal products

17.—(1) A person may not except in accordance with a licence (a “manufacturer’s licence”)—

(a)manufacture, assemble or import from a state other than an EEA State any medicinal product; or

(b)possess a medicinal product for the purpose of any activity in sub-paragraph (a).

(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to paragraphs (3) to (5).

(3) Paragraph (1) applies in relation to an investigational medicinal product only—

(a)if the product has a marketing authorisation, Article 126a authorisation, certificate of registration or traditional herbal registration; and

(b)to the extent that the manufacture or assembly of the product is in accordance with the terms and conditions of that authorisation, certificate or registration.

(4) In paragraph (3), “marketing authorisation” means—

(a)a marketing authorisation issued by a competent authority in accordance with the 2001 Directive; or

(b)an EU marketing authorisation.

(5) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who, in connection with the importation of a medicinal product from a state other than an EEA State—

(a)provides facilities solely for transporting the product; or

(b)acting as an import agent, imports the medicinal product solely to the order of another person who holds a manufacturer’s licence authorising the importation of the product.

(6) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person who imports a medicinal product for administration to himself or herself or to any other person who is a member of that person’s household.

legislation.gov.uk/uksi/201...

PDN1 profile image
PDN1 in reply to helvella

No, I was in UK for 5 weeks, it was my medicine for those weeks

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to PDN1

Of course. :-)

Just wondering if the manufacturer's name is suggesting to someone they are some sort of steroid which might well be controlled?

(I note, if it is the product I think it is, and I am on the right website, they actually get the full chemical name wrong. They say "di-iodo" whereas T3 is, of course, "tri-iodo".)

Perhaps there was a whole batch of packages many of which were controlled drugs (steroids, etc.) Your package getting included without proper checking?

Am quite sure that we would have lots of people saying the police had been in contact if it were illegal.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

This is a list of some drugs classified as being controlled drugs in the UK, from the UK government website:

gov.uk/government/publicati...

If it was controlled, then T3 / liothyronine / triiodothyronine (all the names I know for T3) would be on the list without question because I would guess it is imported by lots of people in the UK on a regular basis.

PDN1 profile image
PDN1

I have emailed Cheshire police for the officer to contact me, so hopefully he will and I can find out what the issue is, just want to have my facts right before I speak to him. And can Produce reference that T3 is not a controlled drug or whatever the issue is.

StitchFairy profile image
StitchFairy in reply to PDN1

Of course, if you don't have the package because it was confiscated, then you also don't have any proof of what was in it. Could the supplier have sent the wrong pills and that's why it was confiscated?

G2G2 profile image
G2G2

How in the world did the police even know?

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to G2G2

And shouldn’t they be concentrating efforts on serious matters not wasting time on this nonesense harassing two women for self medicating for hypothyroidism, which would appear to be perfectly legal.

G2G2 profile image
G2G2 in reply to TSH110

Oh yes! Scares the hell out of me how they knew. Are there cameras surveying pills:) Don't suppose they'll tell you, of course, but I'd ask.

StitchFairy profile image
StitchFairy in reply to G2G2

I ordered NDT from Thailand a few years ago. Both times the packet was opened by customs, although it was sent on to me afterwards. So I think maybe it's normal that packets from Thailand are classed as suspicious until they see what's inside?

G2G2 profile image
G2G2 in reply to StitchFairy

I can see that, though still a privacy invasion. This is very odd since PDN1 brought in a prescription med with her from Canada. Makes you wonder if customs is flagging anyone with an Rx med or are they looking specifically for T3?

StitchFairy profile image
StitchFairy in reply to G2G2

In the UK we're allowed to import prescription meds for personal use. So I don't think customs would be specifically looking for them, regardless of whether it's T3. More likely they're looking for more sinister contents like illegal drugs. My packets had something like health supplements written on the customs label by the Thai supplier. So customs might be checking in case that's really a cover-up for illegal drugs or something. They are entitled to check the contents of packages. That's what customs is for.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to StitchFairy

But the container is clearly labelled as to what they are and this could be checked - if it is the same as what I get. I know criminals go to great lengths to disguise illicit drugs but this seems an absurd line of enquiry. They disguise tons of the stuff as statues of Christ or fill up aqualungs with it and the like - not the small potatoes we are where drug trade is concerned.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to StitchFairy

Never had any of my NDT opened have occasionally copped for tax

StitchFairy profile image
StitchFairy in reply to TSH110

But was it coming from Thailand? I've purchased non-Thai meds from other countries and they weren't opened. Only the ones from Thailand.

PDN1 profile image
PDN1 in reply to StitchFairy

Thai, where you can get Thyrois-S also

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to StitchFairy

Yes both NDT and T3 from Thailand only once did I have to pay customs duty so I was lucky the US NDT and T3 I have purchased have been taxed every time but never tampered with.

PDN1 profile image
PDN1 in reply to TSH110

T3 not ndt

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to PDN1

or T3 I have bought as well as NDT

SilverAvocado profile image
SilverAvocado in reply to TSH110

I was thinking the same about police resources - often when you're a victim of a crime you don't even get a visit from a police officer!

Goldengirl01 profile image
Goldengirl01 in reply to SilverAvocado

Blame that on the shortage of resources.

MissGrace profile image
MissGrace

And what really riles me is that the lack of decent treatment in the UK is putting people in the position of looking like criminals, druggies or pushers and being exposed to this kind of thing. It’s an absolute disgrace. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply to MissGrace

My thoughts exactly!

Wetsuiter profile image
Wetsuiter in reply to MissGrace

that is so true

Travelling profile image
Travelling

Hi PDN1, sorry to hear your story. It occurs to me that under GDPR law which would apply to you while you were visiting over here, there may have been a breaking of that law in regard to you by the Police themselves. The passing on of information particularly medical information is not very strictly controlled over here. Have a look online to get some facts and maybe just remind the police in writing ( always keep a paper trail, even if it’s notes written immediately after a phone call, or follow up with an email saying “ in defence to our call of.... I am just confirming that... ( what was said)) that they have responsibilities and limits on what they can do and that you have rights in law.

I happen to live in Cheshire, so I can go and tell them how silly they are being if you like 😂

I would be very firm and protect your rights you have done nothing wrong and it is also very remiss of the police to visit your elderly mother without very good reason.

Yes, agree they should be doing other things with their time such as tackling the very serious street drug problems we have here as everywhere.

Could you also contact the MP where your mother lives? They are all keen to keep their noses clean atm with the election coming on 12th Dec.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Xx

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to Travelling

And sign it underneath the very last word so nothing can be added. A relative who was in the Manchester police advised that.

Travelling profile image
Travelling

Sorry typo, that’s should say

The passing on of information.... IS strictly controlled here.

Travelling profile image
Travelling

And “in reference to our call”

🙄 thyroid brain!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Travelling

You may not realise that you can edit any posts or responses you have made here. :-)

HealthUnlocked have produced some help for how to do this. You can find this here:

support.healthunlocked.com/...

When you edit the original post in a thread, you will also have the option to add (or remove) a single image. (To replace an image, remove the existing image, then add the new one.) This is the same process as writing a new post:

support.healthunlocked.com/...

I am pointing this out purely to ensure that you know your options. :-)

(If you make extensive changes, it is sometimes helpful to add a comment so that people can see that you have made changes.)

PDN1 profile image
PDN1

Without naming suppliers as per here guidelines. TheThai supplier is the one used/ recommend by several other members where I also get my Thyroid-S. After a restless night, I am still waiting for someone to email me.I hope they do as I do not like this feeling of being " accused" of something that I do not believe I did.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to PDN1

Did you get any sort of crime or case number passed on to you?

StitchFairy profile image
StitchFairy in reply to helvella

Good question. And in this day and age, maybe customs took a photo of the package contents as proof?

PDN1 profile image
PDN1 in reply to helvella

Not yet

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

My daughter is a police officer and I can assure you they do what they can when they can, if the general public really knew what the police have to deal with they might be a little more understanding!

Goldengirl01 profile image
Goldengirl01 in reply to bantam12

So is my daughter but she ignores all negativity to concentrate on what she is paid to do. If she took to heart all the names she is called (as she is mixed race) she would have caved long ago. I have never had a problem receiving T3 from abroad so far, so maybe it depends on where the tablets are from.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to Goldengirl01

Good for her, some people are simply awful to our uniformed service people - we’d be sunk without them. I had a pal who was an ambulance driver and the abuse they got was truly shocking to me. Perhaps this supplier is under scrutiny? Shame if it is the one I think it is, their motive is well intentioned.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to bantam12

I can’t imagine how grim it must be having to tell relatives someone has died in tragic circumstances and all the hideous stuff they have to cope with as part of the job - and it is all under resourced, but why this line of enquiry?

Wetsuiter profile image
Wetsuiter

i dont know anything about this case, but it seems to me that the police/customs wouldnt know that your mum was elderly or that either of you were self medicating, unless they checked. Doesn't seem wrong to me. But maybe ive missed the point

PDN1 profile image
PDN1 in reply to Wetsuiter

I do not have a problem with them checking , I am not Anti law enforcement. I was just stating what occered. The point is members on this site are recommending a product/ supplier via PM's which has resulted in firstly a letter saying I was importing a controlled substance, (T3 -which I believe is not true ) and the only way to challenge it was in court! and also the T3 being seized, then following it up with police visits. I am really just letting people know what may happen to their shipments and them. Also, not having a go at anyone here and I appreciate the recommendations that I receive. We are all in the same "leaky" boat trying to help each other out of this ridiculous situation. Helvella, administrator mentioned earlier in this post a possible labeling error, I hope that they are correct I am unable to check as I never received the shipment.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply to PDN1

This is very concerning thanks for alerting us. The final insult denied the T 3 we need for health and the police coming intimidating us if we buy it ourselves it’s disgusting

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply to PDN1

What type of packaging is it being sent in, & is it labelled as T3?

I've had no issues with NDT from the US, aside from the customs charges. I also post T3 home from Greece without issues, so far.

PDN1 profile image
PDN1 in reply to BadHare

I have not received it so cannot answer if the wrote t3 on box etc

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply to PDN1

Perhaps contact the sender to find out what your parcel looked like to attract such unwanted police attention.

TSH110 profile image
TSH110

Apparently cats have many bolt hole and are often fed by four or five different homes every day! Canny 🙂

TSH110 profile image
TSH110

All that effort finding kind vat loving honesto feed her must use some calories those might be just her local stops 😂🤣😂 you have to admire their survival strategies - no eggs all in one basket here!

PDN1 profile image
PDN1

I have the same insight twice over and hate to have to agree with you. Oh for the old days!

Myro profile image
Myro

Morfin is even not prohibited. Try to bring in UK. If You have big ... It could be prescribed and it is not so easy.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Myro

Morphine is a Controlled Drug - a whole different class under UK law.

Snap but 54 years of marriage!

Wetsuiter profile image
Wetsuiter

i wonder if they have a suspect who is actually importing T3 in order to supply others. i understand that there is a whole other industry out there (nothing to do with us thyroids), so it may be possible to get caught up in investigations ensuring that we re not part of that game. (that s what i meant earlier about i think its understandable that they make checks). as someone else said earlier its not nice that some are forced into a group that might be suspect

I wish!!

PDN1 profile image
PDN1

UPDATE So, I made contact with the visiting Officer last week via email as I was uneasy ignoring/leaving a "customs" matter unresolved as I return to the UK frequently. He asked 3 questions. What I thought I bought.What I intended to do with it and where I purchased it from. Last night I received an email saying "No further action taken, as no offences could be identified" Phew, that is a relief! However I am still without the meds I purchased as they were seized. I will wait to see if perchance they are returned to my parents address were I was residing when I was due to receive them. I asked about retrieving said Meds and was told I would have to take it up with Customs. I cannot really do that as I am no longer in the Uk. So I will have to let it go this time. If there are any fellow (UK resident )members who wish to ask about the future import of La Phama T3 on the groups behalf, I would be grateful to say the least. ..................

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to PDN1

Thank you for posting back.

Just what do they think they are doing? Seizing and causing you these problems isn't acceptable. Difficult to take further but that is what should happen.

PDN1 profile image
PDN1 in reply to helvella

I would love to follow it through and may still write to them for clarification for future purchases but want to let sleeping customs dogs lie for a while before I ask for clarification.

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