NEW YORK, NY – Jose Francisco GUZMAN-CABRERA, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, is now in U.S. custody, facing federal charges after being extradited from his home country. The takedown, announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss, marks a significant blow to a sophisticated drug trafficking operation that peddled deadly opioids across the nation through a fraudulent online pharmacy.
GUZMAN-CABRERA is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances – including oxycodone, hydrocodone, the fentanyl analogue p-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, and the synthetic opioid U-47700 – distribution of controlled substances over the Internet, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The investigation began following the March 17, 2017, overdose death of a victim in Boise, Idaho, who had repeatedly purchased painkillers from the so-called “Pharmacy Website.” The victim’s computer revealed thousands of dollars spent on these drugs.
“As alleged, Jose Francisco Guzman-Cabrera was the kingpin of a drug trafficking organization that distributed dangerous opioids to individuals throughout the United States through a website purporting to be an online pharmacy,” Strauss stated. “Thanks to the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and USPIS, Guzman-Cabrera is now in United States custody and facing prosecution in this District.” The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Sidney H. Stein.
Undercover agents confirmed the operation’s reach, making multiple purchases of oxycodone and hydrocodone from the Pharmacy Website. The investigation revealed a network distributing pills nationwide. DEA Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson warned, “This investigation reinforces the dangers of purchasing narcotics through the internet. Mr. Guzman-Cabrera may have felt he was safe allegedly operating his drug trafficking organization from a foreign country, but great investigative work led to his arrest and extradition to the United States to face justice.”
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service played a crucial role in dismantling the operation. Inspector in Charge James Buthorn emphasized the agency’s commitment to tracking down online drug traffickers, stating, “As alleged, Guzman-Cabrera put citizens across the United States in harm’s way through his criminal syndicate, intentionally disregarding people’s safety. No border will stop the United States Postal Inspection Service from bringing alleged criminals like Guzman-Cabrera to justice.” Buthorn also urged the public to thoroughly vet online pharmaceutical vendors to ensure the safety of their medications.
GUZMAN-CABRERA was initially arrested in the Dominican Republic on July 3, 2020, and presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge James L. Cott. The indictment details how the organization disguised its illegal activities as a legitimate online pharmacy, exploiting the anonymity of the internet to flood the U.S. with dangerous and potentially lethal opioids. The case serves as a stark reminder of the global reach of the opioid crisis and the lengths to which traffickers will go to profit from addiction.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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