DOJ Indicts Chinese Company, 3 Individuals for Allegedly Smuggling Pill-Making Equipment

A Justice Department official said the government ‘will use every weapon in its arsenal’ to prevent the manufacturing and distribution of deadly drugs.

Signage is seen at the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington on Aug. 29, 2020. Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Three Chinese nationals and a China-based company have been charged with 21 counts for allegedly importing pill presses and other equipment used for making “lethal fake pills” into the United States, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on May 12.

Pan Xiaochuan, Yang Tingyan, and Chen Xi were indicted on charges of smuggling drugs and money laundering over their alleged roles in CapsulCN International Co.’s importation of pill-making equipment into the United States. The indictment was returned last month but was only unsealed on Monday.