GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced that Erik Miller, a 47-year-old resident of Sturgis, Michigan, faces multiple drug trafficking charges, including selling and holding for sale counterfeit drugs, such as fake Xanax
“Popping a fake pill is a game of Russian Roulette,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “One pill can kill.” He continued: “Only take prescription drugs prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Never trust your own eyes to determine if a pill is legitimate. If you have any doubt, DON’T. And get the word out to your kids, loved ones, and friends.”
The indictment alleges that Miller was working with a dark web vendor to distribute fake Xanax pills, as well as illegal controlled substances and real prescription drugs. The fake pills were made to look like authentic Xanax pills, which Pharmacia & Upjohn, Co., a division of Pfizer, Inc., manufactures for distribution in the United States. Other pharmaceutical companies also manufacture and sell Alprazolam (the active ingredient in Xanax) under different brand names. Buyers purchased these pills on the “Dark Web,” a part of the Internet where users seek to hide their identities and locations and which is often used to traffic contraband, including illegal controlled substances and counterfeit prescription drugs.
“The dark web provides a false sense of security,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene. “Drug dealers think they can hide behind a computer keyboard and anonymously distribute drugs, and that is not the case. It doesn’t matter what means criminals use to distribute their deadly products; we will employ every resource to track down anyone who places profit over lives.”
The federal grand jury’s four-count indictment charges Miller with conspiracy to distribute Xanax and MDMA, possession of MDMA and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and being a felon in possession of multiple firearms. If convicted of the drug trafficking charges, Miller faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. The gun charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years and a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the DEA and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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