Costa Rican Pleads Guilty to Selling Drugs Imported from India in the United States

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Costa Rica, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of mail fraud and money laundering, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced on October 16, 2017.

Ramiro Navarro Quesada, 41, a resident of Costa Rica pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose. Quesada was arrested in Madrid, Spain, pursuant to an INTERPOL Red Notice, in February 2017. He was extradited to the United States in late August.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Quesada used a Costa Rican website to advertise the Internet sale of Schedule II and IV controlled substances and erectile dysfunction drugs, which were exported from India and received in the United States.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for March 19, 2018 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

“This case is a prime example of how the U.S. will use all available tools at our disposal to identify and apprehend drug traffickers,” said Wayne Salzgaber, INTERPOL Washington Acting Director.

Assistant United States Attorney Shardul S. Desai is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.