Wigan Lottery Winner, 80, Jailed for Role in £288m Counterfeit Drugs Empire
An 80-year-old man who previously won £2.4 million on the national lottery has been sentenced to prison for his central role in a multimillion-pound counterfeit drug operation, a court has heard. John Eric Spiby, from a quiet rural area near Wigan, was described as a key figure in an organised crime gang that produced drugs on an industrial scale, with the operation's potential street value estimated at up to £288 million.
Details of the Criminal Enterprise
Manchester Crown Court was informed that Spiby, who secured his lottery win in 2010, used his resources to facilitate the production of millions of counterfeit tablets, primarily disguised as diazepam. Diazepam, commonly known as Valium, is a medication used to treat conditions such as anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal. Prosecutors revealed that Spiby provided the premises and assisted in adapting them, as well as purchasing machinery worth thousands of pounds to manufacture the drugs.
The court heard that the operation was part of a broader criminal network involved in supplying firearms, with Spiby denying any knowledge of the conspiracy during the trial. However, after proceedings at Bolton Crown Court, a jury convicted him of multiple charges, including conspiracy to produce and supply class C drugs, possession of firearms and ammunition, and perverting the course of justice.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
Judge Nicholas Clarke KC, during sentencing, highlighted the extraordinary nature of the case, noting it was the largest production of drugs of this nature ever uncovered by police. He remarked to Spiby, "Despite your lottery win, you continued to live a life of crime beyond what would normally have been your retirement years." The judge also pointed out that much of the illicit activity centred around Spiby's home, an area described as ostensibly rural and quiet, underscoring the hidden scale of the enterprise.
Spiby received a jail sentence of 16 years and six months. In a group chat, he had reportedly boasted, "Elon and Jeff best watch their backs," a statement that prosecutors cited as evidence of his involvement and ambition within the criminal organisation.
Other Convictions and Defence Arguments
Three other men were also jailed in connection with the operation. Spiby's son, John Colin Spiby, 37, received a nine-year sentence, while Lee Drury, 45, was jailed for nine years and nine months. Callum Dorian, 35, had previously been sentenced to 12 years in 2024. During the trial, Adam Kent KC, representing Spiby Senior, argued that Dorian was the principal organiser of the operation, describing him as the "orchestra and director." Kent also noted that antique revolvers found at Spiby's home dated back to the First World War, suggesting their historical rather than operational significance.
Prosecutor Emma Clarke emphasised the vast scale of the plot, with counterfeit pills potentially worth hundreds of millions on the streets. The case has drawn significant attention due to its combination of a lottery winner's fall from grace and the sheer magnitude of the criminal activities involved.
