North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Tainted Herbal Supplements Smuggled From China
Kamran Rezapour of Creston, North Carolina admitted that he knew the herbal supplements he sold contained pharmaceutical compounds not described in the ingredients. However he described them as “100% all natural” in his marketing materials.
A Creston, North Carolina man has pleaded guilty to knowingly selling tainted natural supplements smuggled into the United States from China, reports the Department of Justice (DOJ). Kamran Rezapour admitted in court that he knew the Mojo Risen, Mojo Sensation, VajiVedic and other herbal supplements that he was peddling as “100% Natural” contained pharmaceutical ingredients such as sildenafil and noracetildinafil, defrauding consumers of nearly $5 million. Both compounds are used in ED medications and are available by prescription only. Taking them can be dangerous for men with high blood pressure or diabetes.
Rezapour failed to indicate on any packaging for his so-called herbal supplements that they contained ED pharmaceutical ingredients, and also failed to offer any medical warnings about possible side-effects from these ingredients, according to the DOJ.
Rezapour and his Chinese supplier avoided detection of their drug smuggling operation by mislabeling shipments as “paint products,” “care product[s]” and “gift[s].” Rezapour sold his products all over the United States using retail outlets and websites such as E-Bay to sell his wares, reports the DOJ.
In June 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a public notification about Mojo Risen, advising that the so-called herbal supplement was actually a pharmaceutical compound. They warned, “Consumers should stop using this product immediately and throw it away. Consumers who have experienced any negative side effects should consult a health care professional as soon as possible.”
According to U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins, “Rezapour’s customers bought his mislabeled drugs as safe alternatives to prescription medications. What’s particularly troubling is that Rezapour knew his products contained certain ingredients that could cause serious health consequences, yet he marketed and sold his supplements without appropriate warning labels. My office and our federal partners will prosecute those who profit from the reckless sale of misbranded drugs to unsuspecting consumers.”
When sentenced, Rezapour faces up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine on wire fraud charges, and another 3 years and $250,000 fine on each count of misbranding drugs. Rezapour’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled, according to the DOJ.
The investigation of Rezapour and Mojo Risen was conducted by FDA-OCI and USPIS, with the assistance of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelli Ferry and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Comerford of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.