Elderly Lottery Winner's £288m Drug Empire
John Eric Spiby, an 80-year-old man who won £2.4 million in the National Lottery in 2010, established and led a massive drug empire from his home in Wigan, producing millions of counterfeit Etizolam tablets disguised as diazepam between 2020 and 2022. The operation, valued at up to £288 million, was uncovered through compromised encrypted communications. In January 2026, Spiby was sentenced to 16 years and 6 months in prison, with his son and other associates also receiving significant jail terms.
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January 2026 — 7 developments
John Eric Spiby's drug empire base identified as £600k farmhouse in Astley
The operational base of John Eric Spiby's drug empire was identified as a £600k country farmhouse in Astley, Greater Manchester.
John Eric Spiby supplied firearms and premises for drug production in his £288 million empire
Court proceedings revealed that John Eric Spiby's £288 million drug empire also supplied firearms, and he was responsible for providing the premises and machinery used in the industrial-scale drug production.
John Colin Spiby Jr. sentenced to nine years in prison, correcting earlier reports
John Eric Spiby's son, John Colin Spiby Jr., was sentenced to nine years in prison, correcting earlier reports of a 16-and-a-half-year sentence. John Eric Spiby Sr. was jailed for 16 and a half years.
John Eric Spiby's drug empire collapses after police intercept fake pill shipment
John Eric Spiby's drug empire collapsed after police intercepted a van carrying 2.5 million fake pills, with labs located at his cottage in Wigan and also in Salford, producing fake diazepam sold for approximately 65p each.
Lee Drury sentenced to 9 years, 9 months for counterfeit drug production and supply
Lee Drury is sentenced to 9 years and 9 months in prison for his role in the counterfeit drug production and supply.
Spiby Jr. receives 9-year prison sentence for drug operation involvement
Spiby's son (Spiby Jr.) receives a 9-year prison sentence for his involvement in the drug operation.
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection suspends Los Bandoleros' permits after employee arrest
A market in Hartford, Los Bandoleros, has had its lottery, vape, and drug permits suspended by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. This action follows the arrest of an employee by the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of an investigation.
July 2020 — 1 developments
French Law Enforcement Uncovers Drug Operation Through EncroChat Compromise
French law enforcement, through the compromise of the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat, uncovers details of the drug operation, initiating a major investigation.