'Poison seller' who sold toxic chemicals online to people across world admits aiding suicides

**'Poison seller' who sold toxic chemicals online to people across world admits aiding suicides** Kenneth Law, a 57-year-old resident of Mississauga, Ontario, pleaded guilty on 13 June 2024 in an Ontario court to multiple charges of aiding suicide in connection with Canadian victims who purchased sodium nitrite from websites he operated. The admissions cover transactions linked to deaths in Canada, according to statements from the Crown and court records reported by Reuters and the Canadian Press. The case has drawn attention from authorities and families in the United Kingdom, where police have linked 79 deaths to chemicals obtained from the same online platforms. UK officials have stated that no charges have been filed against Law in Britain, prompting calls from bereaved families for cross-border legal action. **Canadian proceedings and guilty pleas** Law operated several websites that sold sodium nitrite and related substances. Prosecutors said the sites marketed the chemicals with instructions and disclaimers that referenced their use in suicide. In court, Law admitted to 14 counts of aiding suicide involving Canadian individuals between 2020 and 2022. Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Charney accepted the pleas after reviewing evidence that included shipping records and customer communications. Crown Attorney Susan Orlando told reporters outside court that the investigation involved cooperation with Health Canada and international law enforcement. “The guilty pleas reflect the evidence that the accused knowingly supplied a substance knowing it would be used to end life,” Orlando said. Sentencing is scheduled for September 2024. **UK deaths and family response** In the United Kingdom, the National Crime Agency and several police forces have investigated deaths linked to sodium nitrite purchased from Law’s sites. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist of the Metropolitan Police told the BBC in May 2024 that 79 fatalities had been confirmed through toxicology and digital evidence tracing purchases to the Canadian domains. Families of the deceased formed the group “Justice for the 79” and have written to the UK Home Office requesting that extradition or mutual legal assistance proceedings be initiated. A spokesperson for the group, speaking on condition of anonymity to protect ongoing inquiries, said: “The Canadian court has recognised that these sales constitute aiding suicide. The same evidence exists here. We want the Crown Prosecution Service to act.” The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed it is reviewing the files but noted that UK law requires proof of acts committed within the jurisdiction. A CPS spokesperson stated that “any decision on prosecution will be taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors once all evidence, including material from Canadian authorities, has been assessed.” **International regulatory context** Sodium nitrite is an industrial chemical with legitimate uses in food preservation and laboratories. The World Health Organization maintains no specific international control list for the substance, leaving regulation to national authorities. Health Canada added additional sales restrictions in 2023 following the Law investigation. The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has similarly strengthened online sales monitoring. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has noted in its 2023 report on synthetic chemicals that internet-enabled distribution of substances capable of causing death poses enforcement challenges that require improved cross-border data sharing. No UN resolution specifically addresses sodium nitrite sales. **Law enforcement cooperation** Canadian police executed search warrants on Law’s residence and business accounts in 2022. The resulting data, including customer lists and payment records, were shared with counterparts in the UK, Australia, and several European countries under mutual legal assistance treaties. Interpol issued a purple notice in 2023 alerting member states to the websites. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Ontario Provincial Police have stated that additional Canadian charges remain under investigation. Detective Inspector Helen Earley of the OPP told Reuters that “the investigation is not closed, and we continue to work with international partners.” **Next steps** Law’s sentencing hearing will determine the length of any custodial term and may include restitution or forfeiture orders. In the United Kingdom, the Crown Prosecution Service has indicated it will complete its review by the end of 2024. Families continue to press for legislative changes that would facilitate prosecution of online sellers located abroad when deaths occur in the UK. Canadian and UK authorities have said they will monitor the outcome of the September sentencing before deciding on further international requests.

This is Jessica Ali for Global1 News. 🔥