Convicted fugitive David Noakes was arrested in Cornwall last month, after a five-month search for him as he avoided extradition to France where he is wanted for questioning in relation to his controversial product GcMaf.

Noakes had been due to appear at Southwark Crown Court last month, but, when he didn’t appear, the case was postponed until last week.

The hearing on Friday concluded with the Judge ordering the seizure of £1.4million in “prime assets”, including the contents of bank accounts Noakes holds in Guernsey and the UK.

That judgement followed a four-year investigation by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, assisted by the London Regional Asset Recovery Team (RART) in investigating Noakes’s complex financial dealings.

David Noakes arrested in Truro Cornwall

Pictured: David Noakes was arrested in Truro, Cornwall, last month. 

Noakes, who owned the Guernsey-based Immuno Biotech, has already served a 15-month prison sentence in the UK, from November 2018 after pleading guilty to four charges relating to the manufacture, sale and supply of the unlicensed medicine product, GcMAF, and one count of money laundering.

MHRA Head of Enforcement, Andy Morling, welcomed the confiscation order. 

“Today’s confiscation marks the successful conclusion of a complex, four-year investigation by the MHRA Enforcement Group.

“Our investigation team has worked relentlessly to bring David Noakes and his associates to justice and today’s decision to deny him the proceeds of his criminality is welcome. Noakes put public health at risk through the unlicensed manufacturing and sale of GcMAF products, which were not fit for human consumption or for use as medicines.

“To get the best advice in relation to your health, visit your GP or other health professional, get a correct diagnosis and always buy medicines from a legitimate high street or registered pharmacy.

“To stay safe when buying medicines online, always buy from a registered website. Avoid dodgy online providers, suspicious URLs and beware of unrealistic claims which can expose you to unlicensed medicines, or even identity theft and fraud.

“Patient safety is our highest priority and we will continue to track, prosecute and remove assets from criminals who exploit public health for their own gain.”

Pictured top: A judgement was made against David Noakes at Southwark Crown Court last week.