Unsuspecting customers are purchasing what they believe to be legitimate pharmaceutical drugs such as Oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax, only to receive dangerous counterfeit medications, the agency said in the alert.
As more Americans turn to online pharmacies for necessary medications, the DEA said they have identified a surge in illegal, often foreign-based websites that are deceptively targeting U.S. consumers.
Many of these sites are operated from countries such as India and the Dominican Republic and falsely claim to be legitimate, U.S.-based, or FDA-approved pharmacies.
“These website operators are going to great lengths to make the websites look like legitimate online pharmacies—they offer 24-hour customer service, post online reviews and safety facts, and offer deep discounts to deceive customers into believing they were buying from a reputable business,” the DEA stated in its alert.
The counterfeit pills were purchased by tens of thousands of victims from fake online pharmacies run by the defendants. At least nine victims who purchased counterfeit pills from the defendants died of narcotics poisoning.
One victim, a 45-year-old Army veteran, believed she was purchasing real oxycodone but received counterfeit pills made with fentanyl and filler. Days after receiving the medication, she passed away from acute fentanyl poisoning after taking one of the pills sent to her.
The DEA has identified several fake online pharmacies involved in the recent criminal investigation, including Curecog.com, PharmacyStoresOnline.com, CareOnlineStore.com, YourPharmacy.online, MD724.com, GreenLeafDispensarystore.com, WhatIsHydrocodone.weebly.com, OrderPainkillersOnline.com, and USAMedstores.com.
Consumers who have purchased medication from any of these websites are urged to immediately stop using it and contact their local DEA office.
These illegal online pharmacies often use U.S. website addresses and professional-looking designs to appear legitimate, the agency said.
They operate illegally, deliberately deceiving customers into believing they are purchasing safe, regulated medications when, in fact, they are selling counterfeit pills made with dangerous substances such as fentanyl or methamphetamine.
Fake medications can lead to serious health risks, including harmful side effects, ineffective treatment, and even death.
The DEA emphasizes that the only safe prescription medications are those prescribed by a licensed medical provider and dispensed by a trusted pharmacy. Patients are urged to remain vigilant when purchasing medications online.
The operation uncovered a sophisticated network of fake online pharmacies and pill mills in India, the Dominican Republic, and the United States, the agencies said.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the defendants’ scheme involved advertising, selling, manufacturing, and shipping counterfeit pills disguised as legitimate pharmaceuticals.
