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Counterfeit Viagra Smuggling Ring Busted in Houston
HOUSTON, Texas (June) – Two men, Jamal Khattab and Fayez Al-Jabri, were arrested and charged with conspiring to smuggle and traffic in counterfeit and misbranded medicine, specifically Viagra, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson today.
According to the indictment, from June 2010 through March 2012, the defendants conspired to and smuggled counterfeit Viagra from China into the US. The counterfeit Viagra would then allegedly be shipped either to Chicago or Houston in bulk for later distribution in smaller quantities.
The indictment further alleges that from January through September 2011, Khattab and Al-Jabri delivered approximately 17,000 counterfeit and misbranded Viagra tablets to an undercover agent who successfully infiltrated the counterfeit pharmaceutical trafficking organization.
Khattab, 49, of Katy, is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of smuggling goods into the United States, two counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods, two counts of trafficking in misbranded drugs, and two counts of trafficking in counterfeit drugs. Al-Jabri, 45, of Chicago, is charged with one count of trafficking in counterfeit goods, one count of trafficking in misbranded drugs, and one count of trafficking in counterfeit drugs.
Both men face up to five years for the conspiracy, upon conviction, as well as a $250,000 fine. Trafficking in misbranding drugs and counterfeit drugs carries as possible punishment up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine, while trafficking in counterfeit goods could result in a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and another possible $250,000 fine. If convicted of smuggling goods into the U.S., Khattab could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and face a possible maximum fine of $2.5 million.
The indictment was unsealed upon the arrest today of Jamal Khattab, who will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson in Houston tomorrow. Fayez Al-Jabri made his appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys in Chicago, at which time he was ordered into custody pending an identity and detention hearing for Thursday morning.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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