Printing and Packaging Business Owner Convicted of Trafficking in Counterfeit Veterinary Labels

HOUSTON – A California businessman has admitted to directing the manufacture of counterfeit labels and sending them to Houston, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez.

Michael Chihwen Wang, 49, of Buena Park, California, was the vice president of CYU Lithographics Inc. doing business as Choice Lithographics in Buena Park. Between July 2015 and December 2016, Wang directed the manufacture of counterfeit trademarked Frontline, Frontline Plus and Merial veterinary product labels and shipped them to Houston.

Merial, Frontline and Frontline Plus are trademarks registered by Merial - an animal health company located in Duluth, Georgia, which manufactures and sells pharmaceutical drugs and pesticides for animals.

Wang intentionally caused the manufacture of counterfeit labels and packaging of copyrighted or trademarked items to make packaging appear legitimate. The labels were delivered to a warehouse as part of an undercover investigation. No actual veterinary products were involved in this case.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt has set sentencing for July 24, 2017, at which time Wang faces up to 10 years in prison and/or a possible $2 million fine. Wang was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U. S. Attorney Daniel C. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.