On November 7, 2012, the Department of Justice reported that two Pakistani nationals were indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for operating websites that shipped illegal pharmaceuticals into the United States from Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The two defendants are Sheikh Waseem Ul Haq and Tahir Saeed.
The indictment shows that Ul Haq and Saeed operated and owned Waseem Enterprises and Harry’s Enterprises in Pakistan. The two men are believed to have shipped about $2 million of illegal pharmaceuticals around the world and about $780,000 to the United States.
The two defendants made U.S. customers submit payments by Western Union to people in Karachi, Pakistan so they could conceal the funds. They also told U.S. citizens that U.S. customs officials may intercept the packages as they enter the United States.
The illegal drugs include the following:
• alprazolam (labeled as Xanex)
• diazepam (labeled as Valium)
• lorazepam (labeled as Ativan)
• clonazepam (labeled as Klonapin)
• numerous types of anabolic steroids and other controlled substances
The defendants are charged with conspiring to import illegal pharmaceuticals to the United States, conspiring to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to using misbranded pharmaceuticals, importing and distributing controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The two defendants each face 20 years in prison for each count of the importing and exporting conspiracy, as well as 20 years in prison for the money laundering charge. They face more time with other charges as well.
Stuart F. Delery, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division, stated: “This prosecution aims to curb the flow of dangerous drugs into the hands of United States citizens. The drugs allegedly sold by the defendants were not approved for distribution in the United States, were not dispensed by U.S. licensed pharmacies, and were not prescribed by any physician.”
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
