WASHINGTON: A U.S. federal grand jury has indicted two Indian nationals for allegedly operating a transnational counterfeit prescription drug ring that smuggled and distributed fake versions of the blockbuster weight-loss medication Ozempic across the United States.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the accused—identified as 33-year-old Swapnadip Roy and 37-year-old Vicky Ramancha—sourced counterfeit pharmaceutical products from unauthorized suppliers in China between July 2023 and April 2024. The duo then allegedly marketed and sold the fake drugs to U.S. distributors at heavily discounted rates.

Federal prosecutors in the Middle District of Florida stated that the illicit operation utilized elaborate counterfeit packaging, labels, inserts, and pen needles designed to mimic authentic Ozempic. Investigators noted that the defendants continued their smuggling scheme despite public warnings and active product seizures executed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Law enforcement agencies tracked down the suspects through an international operation. Swapnadip Roy was apprehended abroad via an Interpol Red Notice and subsequently extradited from Italy to the United States. On Tuesday, Roy made his initial appearance before a federal district court in Tampa, Florida, where he entered a plea of not guilty. Meanwhile, the second defendant, Vicky Ramancha, remains at large.

The indictment charges the defendants with multiple counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, smuggling, and distributing counterfeit drugs. Legal experts note that if convicted on all counts, each defendant faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 71 years.

U.S. officials and FDA representatives have strongly condemned the operation, emphasizing that counterfeit pharmaceuticals pose severe health risks to consumers who rely on safety regulations within the legal supply chain.