Suspected DNP Seized in Northern Ireland
15 Sep 2016 --- The UK National Food Crime Unit has seized a quantity of suspected DNP, a dangerous industrial chemical used to make illegal slimming pills. The warranted search, accompanied by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is part of an ongoing proactive criminal investigation targeting the illegal sale of the chemical.
The substance believed to be DNP, was found in both capsule and raw form, and was seized by authorities in Bangor, County Down in Northern Ireland.
Officers have spoken to a 43-year-old man in connection with this seizure.
DNP, also known as 2,4-Dinitrophenol, is a highly toxic chemical, and is not safe for human consumption. The substance has been linked to the deaths of six people in the UK in the last year after being misused as a fat burning supplement.
Andy Morling, Head of Food Crime at the Food Standards Agency, said: “This multi-agency operation demonstrates how seriously the NFCU takes the illegal sale of DNP in the UK. Rest assured, if you are selling DNP online or offline we will find you.”
“It is only through our close working partnership with local authorities and other law enforcement agencies in the UK and abroad that we are able to tackle offenders, close websites and work to disrupt possible supply routes within and into the UK.”
Morling emphasized the danger of human consumption, stressing, “As DNP is an industrial chemical there is no safe dosage and it is not made to be consumed as a diet supplement. Please do not be persuaded by the claims being made, as those selling DNP do not care about your wellbeing.”
As the chemical has legitimate uses in areas such as biochemical research and in manufacturing chemicals, DNP is not illegal to sell. However, it is illegal when sold for human consumption.
The UK Food Standards agency are urgently warning the public not to take any tablets, capsules, powders or liquids containing the deadly ingredient, stressing that “DNP is an industrial chemical that is not fit for human consumption.”
