Counterfeit Drug Distributor Convicted, Used Internet to Distribute Products

July 11, 2012 3:31 PM Topics: Controlled substances, Counterfeit drugs, and Diversion

Luis Angel Garcia Torres, of Patillas, Puerto Rico, was convicted of 12 counts in relation to the trafficking of counterfeit goods, including the trafficking of counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs over the Internet. A Department of Justice news release indicates that Torres was convicted of several felony counts related to counterfeit drug trafficking and several misdemeanor counts related to trafficking misbranded drugs and trademark counterfeiting. Torres purchased counterfeit Viagra^® and Cialis^® over the Internet for $.45 a tablet and sold the tablets via the Internet for $2 each, indicates the news release. Evidence from an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations agents indicated that the fake drugs were exported from China and shipped from a Puerto Rico address used by Torres to the undercover agents in Houston, TX. Torres faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, without parole, and a $2 million fine at his sentencing hearing, set for August 30, 2012.