A man known for promoting weight loss injections on social media has been revealed as a former drug dealer. Mark Allen, 46, uses his Weight Loss and Gym Gains page to endorse various peptides, including Retatrutide, which is not authorized for use in the UK. In 2018, he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison by Exeter Crown Court for possessing crack cocaine and heroin with the intent to distribute.
During the trial, evidence showed that Allen manufactured crack in a bedroom and had messages on his phone offering drug deals, boasting about the quality of his products. Presently, he operates a garden fencing business and earns extra income by selling unlicensed weight loss and health peptides.
Despite stating that the substances are not meant for human consumption, Allen’s social media posts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram depict him preparing syringes with detailed instructions, including sterilization procedures. In one of his videos, he refers to Retatrutide as “Rataloullie” in an attempt to circumvent regulations and encourages followers to try the product for weight loss benefits.
Allen’s posts frequently include hashtags like #weightloss, #energy, and #weighttransformation, showcasing before and after weight loss images along with a link to his website. His wife, Becky, also promotes the peptides on TikTok, often featuring Mark in the videos. Despite facing scrutiny, Allen denies any illegal activity and has created a new social media page under a slightly different name.
Retatrutide is presently undergoing Phase three clinical trials as an experimental injectable medication for obesity and type 2 diabetes. While selling Retatrutide and similar peptides on social media is unauthorized in the UK, some sellers evade regulations by claiming they are for research purposes only.
Experts warn about the dangers of purchasing injectable peptides online, emphasizing that many sellers breach UK medicines laws by promoting these substances for cosmetic or performance use. Concerns about potential health risks, including abnormal moles and skin cancer, have been raised in countries like Australia due to the misuse of peptides like Melanotan II.
Authorities urge swift action to address the illegal promotion and supply of unlicensed products to prevent a potential public health crisis.
