Two Ukrainian citizens have been convicted of smuggling into and trafficking in the United States fake cancer and hepatitis medications.
Maksym Nienadov, age 36, was the owner of the Healthy Nation, a Ukrainian-based company. In July 2020, Nienadov and Volodymyr Nikolaienko, age 34, his co-schemer and employee, admitted guilty to both smuggling into and trafficking in the United States fake cancer and hepatitis drugs and a scheme to do so. Maksym Nienadov further admitted guilty to introducing misbranded medications into the United States.
On 26th March 2021, Volodymyr Nikolaienko and Maksym Nienadov were convicted to respective imprisonment terms of 33 and 71 months in federal prison. Each accused person is anticipated to face dismissal proceedings after his term in prison.
The Justice Department – Criminal Division Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid stated that the accused persons wanted to line their pockets through the sicknesses of others, trading false hope, like counterfeit medications without any active ingredient, and jeopardizing the health of needy patients. Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicholas L. McQuaid further added that this prosecution puts clear that they would hold answerable those who overlook the dangers to patients by smuggling fake medications into the United States.
Texas’ Southern District Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery stated that those trafficking fake drugs pose harm to the country’s most needy citizens and would face penalties. Acting U.S. Attorney Lowery further added that helpless individuals need their drugs for life-threatening diseases. Conspiracies like these place patients in danger of not obtaining the actual medications needed for treatment. Lower also noted that this prosecution demonstrated the incredible work by all their law enforcement partners and their joint commitment to safeguarding the nation’s community and fighting fake drug trafficking into the U.S.
Special Agent Charles L. Grinstead in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office stated that trading illicit prescription medications in the United States marketplace places consumers’ health in danger, but it is particularly unforgivable when the medications are designed for use with specifically vulnerable residents, like cancer patients. Special Agent Charles L. Grinstead assured that they would persistently investigate and hold accountable those who trade illegal prescription medications, with the knowledge that they can put at risk patients’ health.
The Houston Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson stated that they work untiringly, together with their federal law enforcement partners and private sector stakeholders, to stop fake pharmaceuticals from invading the United States marketplace. Mark Dawson further noted that the 23rd March 2021 conviction is another illustration of their persistent efforts to ensure clients are obtaining the life-saving drugs that they require to cure their afflictions.
Maksym Nienadov and Volodymyr Nikolaienko were apprehended in April 2019 when they got into the United States from Ukraine to talk about sales of future illegal shipments of medications. Maksym Nienadov and Volodymyr Nikolaienko have been and will be held in custody awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility, which will be determined.
The Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations and the Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
The Criminal Division -Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section Senior Trial Attorney Jeff Pearlman and Texas’ Southern District U.S. Assistant Attorney Sebastian Edwards handled the case’s prosecution. The previous Senior Trial Attorney Kebharu Smith of the Criminal Division – Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section helped in the case’s prosecution.
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine and the Justice Department – Office of International Affairs offered substantial support.
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