Police warn of counterfeit medication trend in Latino communities

During the past two years, Arizona law enforcement has shut down nearly two dozen yerberias that they say were selling counterfeit medications.

The stores, often located in Latino neighborhoods, traditionally sell holistic and herbal medications. Police said some stores were going far beyond that.

Police, local leaders and national officials met on Wednesday at the Phoenix Police Department to discuss issues with some yerberias selling counterfeit prescriptions and illegal drugs. Twenty-six people have been arrested since “Operation Unscripted” began in 2014, and 23 shops shut down in Phoenix, Chandler and Mesa, police said. The investigation began when a suspect from California was linked to an operation in Phoenix.

Siokey Gastelum-Galves said the recent trend of counterfeit medications has put her community at risk.

The marketing director of Fortis Networks Inc. of Phoenix worries that shops selling these items could threaten the health and well-being of people across the immigrant population by distributing counterfeit prescriptions drugs.

“As a Hispanic-owned business, we hire from within the community,” Gastelum-Galvez said. “We cannot afford to have our employees be made ill by the yerberias.”

Phoenix police Officer James Holmes said when law enforcement became aware of the issue two years ago, officers were unable to prosecute those distributing the illegal drugs because of a lack of legislation.

In July 2015, the Arizona Legislature passed House Bill 2322 into law, allowing law enforcement to prosecute the purveyors of misbranded pharmaceuticals.

“We had an issue that we weren’t allowed to go into these locations and look for these drugs that cause great harm to the community,” Holmes said. “They were able to sell counterfeit and dangerous item to people as they came into the shops. Many of them were acting as if they were doctors. This is incredibly dangerous to our community.”

Sponsored by State Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler, HB 2322 increased penalties for counterfeit drugs, he said. Weninger commended police for their collaboration in tracking down the individuals involved in the crimes.

“What is important here is this was very collaborative,” he said. “We have city, state and federal agencies working together. I’m glad the work of the police made my constituents safer. This is a great first step to getting this under control.”

Special Agent Louis Garcia of Homeland Security Investigations said the federal organization worked closely with local law enforcement to put an end to the act of distributing fake prescription medications.

“This investigation demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to this issue,” Garcia said. “The act of prescribing counterfeit medication is not a victimless crime. This presents a clear threat to your safety."

Tony Zook, technical adviser at the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, said counterfeit medications have been known to contain dangerous chemicals such as arsenic, boric acid and industrial solvents unknown to the person taking them.

“Counterfeiting (prescription drugs) is a clear public health concern,” Zook said. “They are not sterile, and often do not contain active ingredients. When they do have active ingredients, it’s the wrong amount or even lethal amounts.”

Zook said drugs purchased at some yerberias have caused kidney failure, developmental defects and death. He said he was shocked to learn of the crimes, because he said America has the “most regulated” supply chain in the world.

“It’s staggering,” Zook said. “To know it’s happening here is shocking. It’s almost inconceivable.”

Holmes said police are working to provide people in the affected communities with resources to acquire the proper medications.

“This is the chance for us to come out and say to our communities that this is bad,” Holmes said. “We’re not going out to arrest people who have been sold the drugs. These folks are victims. They will be victimized until we can stop this.”

Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo agreed that educating the public on the dangers of mislabeled or counterfeit medications is essential to stopping their sale.

“If you need a prescription, go to a doctor,” Gallardo said. “My message is to stay away from these places. By bringing this to the attention of my people we can bring an end to it.”