Internet Pharmacy Giant Canada Drugs Indicted on Counterfeit Drug Importation Charges
On August 7, 2015, the indictment in the case “USA v. CanadaDrugs.com Ltd. Partnership” was unsealed. The indictment was originally returned by the grand jury in November 2014. It lists 14 defendants including: Canada Drugs. Com Ltd., Partnership, Thorkelson Consulting, Ltd., 4208081 Canada, Ltd., Rockley Ventures, Ltd., Global Drug Supply, Ltd., River East Supplies, Ltd., Kristjan Thorkelson, Thomas Haughton, Ronald Sigurdson, Troy Nakamura, Darren Chalus, Narinder Kaulder, James Trueman and Ram Kamath. The charges allege that CanadaDrugs.com sold $78 million worth of misbranded and counterfeit cancer drugs to medical professionals across the United States over a period of three years.
Who: US Attorneys for the District of Montana.
When: July 17, 2015, 2009-2012.
Where: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
How: Investigation by the FDA and the DOJ.
Additional details: CanadaDrugs.com and its subsidiaries are accused of having sold non-FDA approved and counterfeit versions of cancer drugs and other medications up to the point in 2012, when the FDA began its investigations. Investigators uncovered counterfeit and non-FDA approved cancer medications in US doctors’ offices that appeared to have been purchased from CanadaDrugs.com and its subsidiary companies.
Related sources:
” CanadaDrugs Indictment ,” US District Court, District of Montana July 17, 2015.
“ U.S. to ask Canada, UK to extradite online pharmacy officials,”
Billings Gazette. November 9, 2015
“ Charges dropped against U.S. man accused in cancer-drug smuggling conspiracy ,” The Star. October 20, 2015
“ Illinois man denies cancer drug smuggling conspiracy charge,” Chicago Tribune August 25, 2015
“ Canada pharmacy charged in $78M drug export scheme ,” CNBC August 19, 2015
“A Canadian Pharmacy Is Accused of Selling Counterfeit Cancer Drugs to US Doctors ,” Vice News August 11, 2015
“ Winnipeg company charged with selling unapproved, counterfeit drugs,” CBC News August 10, 2015
“ U.S. Moves to Shut Down Websites Owned by Canada Drugs ,” Wall Street Journal October 5, 2012