A Yorba Linda man faces federal charges of selling counterfeit Viagra, Cialis and Levitra on Craigslist, authorities said.
Federal officials seized parcels from China containing the counterfeit medication on three occasions, with the packets addressed to 39-year-old Nathan Welter, according to a statement released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The packages each were addressed to different locations in Orange County, according to the statement. Officials conducted chemical analysis of the tablets and found they contained ingredients different from the brand-name versions, the statement read. The brand-name medications all treat erectile dysfunction.
Welter was taken into custody Friday by officials from ICE as well as Homeland Security Investigations. He was charged in federal court Friday with eight counts of trafficking in counterfeit goods. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released after posting a $50,000 bond.
According to the statement, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.
According to the federal complaint, Welter came under scrutiny in August 2011, when Customs and Border Protection officials seized parcels with counterfeit medication. In February 2012, more parcels addressed to Welter were seized.
"CBP warned Welter in March 2012 that counterfeit Viagra had been sent to him," the statement read.
In August, authorities seized eight more packages from China.
Homeland Security investigators searched Welter's home in September and found more than 9,000 counterfeit tablets, several phony medical labels and packaging materials, according to the statement. About $40,000 in cash also was seized.
Authorities estimate that the counterfeit tablets could have been sold for about $125,000.
Welter is suspected of selling the drugs in Craigslist ads and collecting thousands of dollars a month.
According to ICE officials, the sale of counterfeit products of all types is a lucrative black market. Last year, Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection seized more than $1.2 billion in counterfeit goods. In 2012, 697 websites were found selling the goods.
Welter is expected to face trial April 30.
(c)2013 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)
Visit The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.) at www.ocregister.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
