FedEx Indicted on Drug Distribution Charges

FedEx Corp. was indicted on charges of shipping illegal drugs to online pharmacies that ended up in the hands of dealers and addicts. reported the National Law Journal.
The indictment, brought by a federal grand jury in San Francisco, says FedEx has been shipping controlled substances and misbranded prescription drugs, such as Ambien and Diazepam, for illegal Internet pharmacies since 2000. FedEx continued the activities despite warnings from the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Food and Drug Administration and members of Congress in 2004.
“The advent of Internet pharmacies allowed the cheap and easy distribution of massive amounts of illegal prescription drugs to every corner of the United States, while allowing perpetrators to conceal their identities through the anonymity the Internet provides,” U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said. “This indictment highlights the importance of holding corporations that knowingly enable illegal activity responsible for their role in aiding criminal behavior.”
The indictment alleges conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances and misbranded drugs.
According to federal prosecutors, FedEx couriers in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia had told senior management they feared for their safety, reporting that customers had stopped their trucks on the road, or jumped on them, demanding pills.
The indictment specifically names two online pharmacies, saying they fill orders without requiring a prescription from a legitimate physician.
Prosecutors want FedEx, which is expected to appear in court on July 29, to forfeit $820 million in proceeds from the illegal shipments, according to the indictment.
Last year, United Parcel Service Inc. settled similar allegations for $40 million.
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