A U.S. federal grand jury has formally charged two Indian citizens, Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha, for their alleged roles in an international scheme to smuggle and distribute counterfeit versions of the weight-loss drug Ozempic. According to the Department of Justice, the pair reportedly sourced imitation medication from China between July 2023 and April 2024, selling the illicit products to American distributors at reduced rates. While Roy has been extradited from Italy and has entered a plea of not guilty, authorities are still searching for Ramancha.

The counterfeit operation went to great lengths to deceive consumers, utilizing professional-grade packaging and labels designed to mimic authentic medicine. Disturbingly, the Justice Department noted that the duo persisted in their illicit activities even after the FDA seized batches of the fake product and issued a public health warning in December 2023. Facing serious charges of smuggling, conspiracy, and defrauding the United States, the defendants could face a potential sentence of up to 71 years in federal prison if they are found guilty.