DrugBuyers.Com: Feds indict Internet drug sellers

http://www.msnbc.com/news/1000893.asp?0cv=CB10

I found this article as I was skimming through the MSNBC Website this evening. Normally I do not get too worried when I read these sort of articles, because I am no longer getting my pain medication(s) through ANY OP's.

However, if upon reading such articles, I happen to recognize any of the names being mentioned, or if the OP/IOP's that are being discussed in the article, turn out to be one I have used in the past, or if I have ever seen it mentioned on DB, then I will absolutely post it for everyone to see.

This time is a bit different. Not only did I not recognize any of the names of the accuser(s), I also have not ever seen any of the people or names of businesses listed anywhere on DB, but there is a chance that I missed them.

So the only reason I think that many of you will find this info important and or relevant to your particular situation is that the meds they are listing here are for medications that they claim are "illegal" to sell over the internet, (I do noy remember the exact details but they mentioned schedule drugs somewhere in the article)

This freaked me out a bit because I am using Phentermine and I get that Phentermine primarily through the Internet. Does anyone know what exactly is illegal about purchasing Phentermine or the other meds listed in this article, omline???

Thanks in advance for any input you can share with me.

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Drug trafficking in cyberspace is just as harmful to public safety as drug trafficking on street corners.
PAUL MCNULTY
U.S. Attorney

THE INDICTMENT, returned by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., charges that customers were able to purchase the drugs with inadequate or no medical supervision, little diagnostic testing and scant monitoring of the persons response to the drugs as required by law.

The Internet sites used mass e-mail and advertising to sell drugs, giving discounts to customers who bought large quantities.

Drug trafficking in cyberspace is just as harmful to public safety as drug trafficking on street corners, said U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty. The advent of the Internet does not mean doctors and pharmacists can bypass rules concerning the dispensing of prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances.

Charges include illegal distribution of controlled substances such as the diet drugs Bontril, Ionamin, Phentermine and Adipex and illegal use of a communications facility to perform the distribution.

Among those charged was Vineet K. Chhabra, also known as Vincent K. Chhabra, a 32-year-old Golden Beach, Fla. resident described by prosecutors as the main organizer of the scheme. He faces a 20-year sentence if convicted of operating a continuing criminal enterprise and additional prison time if convicted on money laundering, controlled substance violations and other charges.

Also facing multiple counts and more than 20 years in prison are Chhabras sister, Sabina S. Faruqui, of Weston, Fla., and their uncle, Sunil K. Sethi. of Midlothian, Va. The CChabra Group LLC and USA Prescription Inc. also were charged as businesses with conspiracy.

Four physicians also were charged in the indictment with illegally allowing their names to appear on vials of drugs dispensed over the Internet.

Besides prison time, the defendants could be forced to forfeit more than $125 million in proceeds from the illegal sales, prosecutors said.

The Justice Department, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration are involved in the investigation.

© 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Flea