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Press Release

Arizona Man Charged in Illegal Scheme to Import and Sell Prescription Drugs to US Consumers

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Scottsdale, Arizona was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy, charges of introduction into interstate commerce, with the intent to defraud, misbranded drugs, and two charges of mail fraud, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The four-count indictment, returned on Nov.28, named Keith Komar, 60, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, the defendant participated in a conspiracy that involved the illegal importation of prescription drugs and the illegal sale of those drugs to consumers in the United States. The importation and sale of prescription medication is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Federal law and regulation require that certain drugs, particularly dangerous drugs, contain certain warnings and only be administered under a doctor's care pursuant to a doctor's prescription. A drug is considered "misbranded" if, for example, the drug is sold without a prescription, if it fails to include the approved warnings, if the drug was not approved by the FDA, or if the drug is manufactured in a facility not approved by the FDA.

Through various websites, Komar advertised for sale to consumers in the United States various dangerous drugs that were sold without a prescription, were not administrated under the care of a doctor, did not provide the appropriate warnings, and were not manufactured in facilities approved by the FDA. The website included a numerous misrepresentations about the drugs and the companies involved in the fraud. Some of these misbranded drugs were sent through the Postal Service to consumers, including consumers in the Western District of Pennsylvania, directly from India as arranged by Komar.

The law provides for amaximum total sentence of 48 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement/HomelandSecurity Investigations, Pennsylvania State Police and United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Updated December 4, 2017

Topic
Prescription Drugs