LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Chinese language lady accused of promoting machines to make counterfeit capsules was arrested in Las Vegas, in keeping with a federal indictment.
Xaiofei Chen was arrested by brokers from the Division of Homeland Safety at a commerce present in Las Vegas on Oct. 29. A felony grievance mentioned Chen bought capsule press machines that can be utilized with molds, stamps or dies mimicking generally prescribed managed substances to provide counterfeit capsules that seem indistinguishable from professional pharmaceutical medicine, in keeping with a U.S. Division of Justice press launch on Friday.
A federal grand jury within the Western District of Texas charged Chen on Friday with two counts associated to alleged distribution of capsule press gear that can be utilized by criminals to fabricate unlawful medicine laced with fentanyl.
A federal court docket in Nevada ordered Chen detained pending her trial in El Paso the place the indictment was returned on Nov. 20. If convicted, Chen faces a most penalty of 4 years in jail and a $250,000 nice.
Additional details about Chen’s arrest was not out there.
The grievance alleges Chen labored for a China-based firm that bought die molds and gear, and that Chen bought capsule press gear and counterfeit die molds to patrons in the US.
The grievance alleges that Chen averted Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) disclosure necessities by dismantling gear and delivery components in separate packages into the US.
“This equipment allegedly included counterfeit dies, including M30 dies meant to mimic a common prescription drug but which are regularly used to make fake opioid pills. The complaint alleges that the packages that Chen sent also were mislabeled to conceal the illegal equipment that they contained,” in keeping with the information launch.
Fentanyl overdose is the main reason for loss of life for People ages 18 to 49, in keeping with the Division of Justice. Lately, greater than half of counterfeit capsules examined have been discovered to have a probably deadly dose of fentanyl.
“The fentanyl epidemic has taken hundreds of thousands of American lives, and this case reflects the department’s unwavering commitment to prosecuting every level of the deadly fentanyl supply chain,” mentioned Principal Deputy Assistant Lawyer Normal Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Division’s Civil Division.
Homeland Safety and Customs and Border Safety are investigating the case.
