Eighteen defendants, including Francisco Alberto Lopez Reyes, have been charged in a massive scheme to manufacture and distribute millions of deadly counterfeit pharmaceuticals through fake online pharmacies.
According to the indictment, Lopez Reyes, also known as ‘Frank,’ and his co-conspirators advertised, sold, manufactured, and shipped millions of counterfeit pills disguised as legitimate pharmaceuticals. The pills were purchased by tens of thousands of victims from fake online pharmacies run by Lopez Reyes and his co-conspirators.
At least nine of those victims later died of narcotics poisoning, including a 45-year-old army veteran who thought she was purchasing real oxycodone. Federal authorities have seized nine website domains used by the defendants and their co-conspirators to sell counterfeit pills, four of which are named in the indictment.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge, but no sentence has been issued. Lopez Reyes and his co-conspirators will face serious charges, including manufacturing and distributing counterfeit pharmaceuticals, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, ‘The proliferation of fake online pharmacies is fueling this nation’s fentanyl epidemic. As alleged, Francisco Lopez Reyes, a/k/a ‘Frank,’ and his lieutenants have run a global network of these websites and aggressively marketed, manufactured, sold, and distributed millions of deadly fentanyl pills meant to mimic legitimate prescription drugs.’
HSI Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger said, ‘Trafficking counterfeit pharmaceuticals is not just a crime; it is a threat to public health. HSI is committed to working with our partners to stop those who poison our neighborhoods for the sake of profit.’
The investigation was conducted by the DEA, HSI, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Defendant: Francisco Alberto Lopez Reyes
Crime: Manufacturing and distributing counterfeit pharmaceuticals, conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering
City and state: New York
Date: 2024
Sentence: Still pending
Dollar amounts: Millions of dollars in counterfeit pills sold
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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