https://cbs12.com/news/local/uk-man-gets-9-years-in-florida-court-for-shipping-synthetic-drugs-to-the-us-pam-bondi-take-back-america-president-donald-trump-matthew-grimm-british-online-drug-market-september-26-2025

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (CBS12) — A British man was sentenced to nine years and must forfeit $28 million in cryptocurrency for running a massive online drug operation targeting the U.S.

According ot the U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin, 51-year-old Mathew Simon Grimm was sentenced Friday after he previously pled guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance into the U.S., four counts of importing controlled substances into the U.S., and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

U.S. Attorney Heekin noted that the arrest was part of a larger mission, stating:

This is yet another step toward fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the drug traffickers flooding our communities with poison, and this substantial forfeiture of the criminally obtained proceeds of this drug distribution operation resoundingly confirms that my office will ensure that offenders cannot profit from their crimes.

According to officials, from 2015 to November 8, 2022, the man that the Daily Mail dubbed the "El Chapo of Cotswolds'" ran a website that sold controlled substances online.

According to a press release, Grimm and his accomplices filled orders for synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids, and methamphetamine analogs, which he then shipped to the United States.

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Investigators say records from his website show at least 44,000 shipments — including some sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Gainesville office as agents tracked his operation.

Prosecutors allege Grimm conducted the sales using cryptocurrency, and he’s now ordered to forfeit $28 million as part of his sentencing.

“Technology brings more ways for criminals to flood our streets with poison,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “DEA pursues cyber criminals with the same energy as street-level drug distributors. We will not stop until they have been brought to justice.”

One co-defendant, 54-year-old Carrie-Ann Tooley of Maine, was sentenced in April for her role in the operation, per officials.