A South Wales man who profited from the sale of illegal weight loss pills containing a toxic industrial chemical has been jailed for three years.
Kyle Enos, 33, from Maesteg in Bridgend, was sentenced to 36 months at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple drug offences earlier this year at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.
In a shocking repeat of his criminal past, Enos resumed illegal activity shortly after being released from prison for selling fentanyl. This time, he imported the dangerous substance 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) — a banned industrial compound known for its fatal side effects — and manufactured pills at home.
Enos purchased DNP, a hazardous yellow powder, in its pure sodium salt form from suppliers in China via the dark web. Despite its known toxicity, he converted the chemical into capsules using cutting agents and a pill press from the confines of his bedroom.
He marketed the illegal weight loss pills on a self-built website, targeting customers both in the UK and internationally. To avoid detection, the products were falsely labelled as vitamins and minerals.
Authorities highlighted the total disregard for consumer safety. Enos provided no instructions, no health warnings, and took no precautions while selling a chemical banned for human consumption.
“The swift arrest of Enos and the removal of these poisonous diet pills from the open market was our utmost priority. This could have led to buyers becoming extremely ill or even dying,” said Detective Constable Kieran Morris of Tarian ROCU.
Enos was arrested in July 2024 by officers from Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) for southern Wales. The arrest came after intelligence from the National Crime Agency (NCA) triggered an investigation, codenamed Operation Guazuma.
The crackdown involved collaboration between several national agencies, including:
- National Food Crime Unit
- Ministry of Defence
- HM Prison and Probation Service
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA)
- South Wales Police
As well as the supply charges, Enos was found to have breached a serious crime prevention order, a move that likely influenced the severity of his sentence.
This wasn’t his first brush with the law. Having previously served time for dealing fentanyl, a lethal opioid, Enos’s return to drug-related criminality raised alarm bells among law enforcement.
DC Morris added: “The sentence handed down to Enos today should serve as a warning to others engaging in similar criminality. Tarian ROCU are committed to safeguarding members of the public not only within our region, but across the United Kingdom and beyond.”
The case underscores the growing threat of illegal weight loss pills sold online. These products often contain unregulated and deadly substances like DNP, a compound responsible for multiple fatalities in recent years.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) |
| Use | Industrial chemical – NOT for human consumption |
| Effects | Increases metabolism dangerously; causes overheating, heart problems, death |
| Legal Status | Banned for use in food or supplements in the UK |
| Risk Level | Extremely high; fatal in small doses |
This sentencing sends a clear message: the trade in illegal weight loss pills will not be tolerated. Consumers are urged to steer clear of suspicious online diet products and to consult healthcare professionals before taking any supplements.
The war on unregulated pharmaceuticals continues – and this case serves as a powerful reminder of what’s at stake.
