According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the "ring" imported misbranded controlled substances, including Tramadol, into the U.S. from India. They would then repackage the pills and mail them to millions of customers throughout the U.S.
The defendants included:
- Ezhil Sezhian Kamaldoss, 26, of Richmond Hill
- Harpreet Singh, 26, of Plainview
- Parthiban Narayanasamy, 58, of Jamacia
- Baljeet Singh, 29, of Richmond Hill
- Deepak Manchanda, 43, of Deer Park
- Gulab Gulab, 45, of Richmond Hill
- Mukul Chugh, 24, of Long Island City
- Vikas Verma, 45, of Dix Hills
All were charged with conspiring to possess a synthetic opioid with intent to distribute. Kamaldoss has also been charged with money laundering, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney, the defendants maintained daily ledgers detailing the names, addresses, pill size and amount ordered by customers.
“As alleged, the defendants participated in a black market for prescription medications by distributing millions of opioid pills in tens of thousands of transactions in one year alone,” stated U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue.
Federal drug enforcement officials have been working the case since January 2018, the release said.
If convicted, Kamaldoss faces up to 25 years in prison, while the other face sentences of up to five-years.
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