US Charges Two Indians In Counterfeit Ozempic Case After Alleged China Smuggling Operation

Two Indian nationals have been charged in the United States over an alleged transnational scheme to smuggle and sell counterfeit Ozempic after obtaining the fake diabetes and weight-loss medication from unauthorised sources in China. A federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida charged Swapnadip Roy, 33, and Vicky Ramancha, 37, with conspiracy and smuggling-related offences, according to the US Department of Justice. Prosecutors allege that the pair and their co-conspirators sold counterfeit Ozempic to distributors in the United States at deeply discounted prices.

According to court documents, the alleged scheme operated from at least July 2023 through April 2024. Roy and Ramancha are accused of obtaining counterfeit Ozempic from unauthorised sources in China and distributing it through the US market. The products allegedly contained counterfeit packaging, package inserts, pen labels and needles designed to make them appear to be authentic Ozempic authorised by the manufacturer. Investigators said the products were intended to deceive downstream customers, including distributors, pharmacies and patients, into believing they were purchasing genuine medication.

The alleged distribution continued even after the US Food and Drug Administration seized some counterfeit Ozempic in December 2023 and issued public safety warnings about the products, according to prosecutors. The FDA had warned consumers, pharmacies and healthcare providers about counterfeit Ozempic entering the US drug supply chain. The agency said counterfeit prescription medicines can pose serious risks because their contents, strength, quality and manufacturing conditions may not meet the standards required for authorised medicines.

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Roy has been brought to the United States from Italy and appeared before a federal court in Tampa. He pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance, according to the Justice Department. Authorities said he had been arrested pursuant to an INTERPOL Red Notice before the US government sought his extradition. Ramancha remains at large, the department said. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs was involved in securing Roy's extradition as part of the case.

The defendants face several federal charges, including one count of conspiracy to commit smuggling and defraud the United States, three counts of smuggling and two counts involving the sale and possession of counterfeit drugs for sale. If convicted on all charges, Roy and Ramancha each face a maximum potential sentence of 71 years in prison. The charges are allegations, however, and the Justice Department has stressed that an indictment does not establish guilt. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

The case is being investigated by the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations, with prosecutors from the US Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Justice Department's Criminal Division handling the case. US authorities said the investigation highlights concerns about counterfeit prescription medicines entering legitimate pharmaceutical distribution networks. The FDA has urged consumers, pharmacies and healthcare professionals to report suspected counterfeit medicines as the agency continues efforts to identify illicit supply chains and protect the US drug supply.

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