istock-509483224-pills
txking / iStockphoto.com
11 April 2017Americas

California man pleads guilty to trafficking counterfeit drug labels

A California-based CEO has pleaded guilty to trafficking counterfeit veterinary labels and packaging.

He faces up to ten years in federal prison, as well as a possible $2 million fine.

According to a US government  press release dated April 3, Paul Rodriguez, who was the CEO of Action Packing and Design, had “intentionally” trafficked counterfeit labels and packaging and then shipped the counterfeits to Houston, Texas between July 2015 and December 2016.

The counterfeits consisted of fake Frontline, Frontline Plus and other Merial veterinary product labels and packaging.

During this period, Rodriguez allegedly also trafficked counterfeit labels of Rimadyl, a veterinary product marketed by New Jersey-based health company Zoetis.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations divisions and the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations had conducted a joint investigation into Rodriguez.