An Allentown man admitted his role in a years-long scheme to import dangerous drugs from China and then sell them as herbal supplements to unknowing customers.
Leandro Rodriguez pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government by smuggling $669,000 worth of drugs into the country in violation of the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
According to his plea memorandum, Rodriguez put his clients at risk by selling them pills with sibutramine, a substance banned in the U.S. due to the risk of cardiovascular episodes and strokes. Its the active ingredient in the weight loss drug Meridia, which is no longer sold in the U.S.
He also sold drugs with tadalafil, the active ingredient in the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis, according to the plea memorandum. Lilly had the exclusive rights to distribute Cialis during the time covered in the indictment.
The drugs were sold as herbal supplements to customers at flea markets and over the internet, court records say. The scheme netted Rodriguez $669,000 between 2011 and 2017, the plea memorandum says.
Rodriguez ordered the drugs from China and had them distributed by Eric Trevino of Donna, Texas, and Trevinos brother-in-law, Jaime Carillo Haro of Pharr, Texas, court records say.
Court records say bank statements, emails and text messages make it clear that the three knew they were breaking the law by importing the drugs and then selling them as herbal supplements.
Rodriguez faces a maximum of five years in prison when hes sentenced Jan. 28 by U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith. He is represented by attorney Kathryn Roberts of Allentown. Roberts didnt return an email message seeking comment.
Trevino pleaded guilty to nine charges in connection to the conspiracy. Hell be sentenced April 7, court records say. His attorney, Angela Halim of Philadelphia, didnt reply to a message seeking comment.
Camillo Haro is now deceased, court records say.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com.
Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
Read this article:
Allentown man illegally imported and sold $670K worth of diet, erectile dysfunction drugs - lehighvalleylive.com
