The bosses of an equestrian centre and a stud farm were key players in a £6m illegal veterinary medicine scam - Europe's biggest ever - a jury were have been told.
"This is part of a massive case concerning the illegal importation and sale of unauthorised veterinary medicines and some prescription-only medicines," prosecutor Mr. Andrew Marshall told Croydon Crown Court.
"This case is the most serious attack on the UK veterinary system. When the warehouse in France was discovered it was the biggest seizure in Europe of veterinary medicine.
"This is a highly-regulated area because there can be a great deal of damage done to animals from the misuse of medication if you do not know where it was made, how it was made and the precise ingredients," added Mr. Marshall.
A total of nine defendants have already pleaded guilty to various charges on the 100-count indictment and will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial involving the final two accused.
They are: Peter Lock, 53, (pic. bottom) of Knaves Hall, Warren Lane, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex - boss of Colmar Farm Riding School, Colmar Farm, Weald Park Way, South Weald, Brentwood.
Richard Jones, 60, (pic. top) of Winchcombe Road, Sedgeberrow, Evesham, Worcestershire - boss of Henry Field Stud, Naunton Beauchamp, Pershore, Worcestershire.
The prosecution, brought by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), allege the defendants imported the illegal medicines from ringleaders based in France and unlawfully distributed them in the UK.
Lock is accused of buying £155,000 of veterinary medicines between January 2004 and September 2008 and Jones £61,000 worth from January 2004.
Married couple Ronald Meddes, 72, and Regine Lansley, 61, - nicknamed 'Ronnie and Reggie' - were the bosses of France-based 'Eurovet' and sold the medicines - many of which originated in Australia and India - and they will also be sentenced later.
Jones' partner June Connelly, 68, who DEFRA say ran the stud farm alongside the defendant is currently on bail awaiting sentence and the prosecution jury were shown photographs of her enjoying a trip to the Meddes and Lansley estate.
The veterinary medicines included anti-inflammatories, anabolic steroids, tranquillisers, antibiotics, sedatives, painkillers and other miscellaneous products administered to horses, household pets and farm animals.
"All these products go through the black market," explained Mr. Marshall. "They are being distributed by people not licensed to do it so others can administer them to animals who are not authorised to do so.
"It becomes a bit of a free-for-all and the food chain is placed at risk as well.
"These animals and their welfare are being placed at risk and the only reason for it is legitimate veterinary medicines are more expensive than smuggling these into the country or buying them over the internet.
"It had persisted for years and when the main players were caught, arrested and charged they carried on despite strict orders and bail conditions. We have a full commercial enterprise that happens to be illegal," added the prosecutor.
The court heard Meddes and Lansley operated a series of companies under the 'Eurovet' banner and when veterinary medicines that covered 130 cubic metres were seized they restarted the operation from Belgium.
Colmar Riding School was also raided by the police and DEFRA, the jury were told. "There were certain veterinary medicines found there that should not have been there," said Mr. Marshall.
When Lock was quizzed at Brentwood Police Station on April 2 2008 he made no comment to questions.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to a combined total of 34 charges of illegally importing and distributing unauthorised or prescription-only veterinary medicines.
Trial continues.........
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