A Chinese national has been charged by a federal grand jury in the Western District of Texas with two counts linked to the alleged distribution of pill press equipment. This equipment is known to be utilized by criminals for the production of illegal drugs that are often laced with fentanyl.
Department of Homeland Security agents apprehended Xaiofei Chen during a trade show in Las Vegas on October 29. According to the criminal complaint supporting the arrest warrant, Chen was involved in the sale of pill press machines. These machines can be utilized with molds, stamps, or dies that replicate commonly prescribed controlled substances, enabling the production of counterfeit pills that closely resemble legitimate pharmaceutical drugs. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Chen was employed by a Chinese-based company that sold equipment and die molds. Moreover, Chen was reported to have sold pill press equipment and counterfeit die molds to buyers in the United States. To circumvent the disclosure requirements of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Chen allegedly disassembled the equipment and shipped its parts separately into the country. Among the shipped items were counterfeit dies, including M30 dies, which imitate a commonly prescribed medication but are frequently employed in the creation of fake opioid pills. The complaint further asserts that Chen purposely mislabeled the packages to conceal the illicit equipment they contained.
The sale of pill press equipment and counterfeit die molds to individuals intending to use them unlawfully is prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act. Additionally, certain equipment sales must be reported. It is important to regulate these items as counterfeit pills made using such equipment can be laced with fentanyl and other dangerous drugs. Fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic opioid, is incredibly potent, being 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The devastating impact of fentanyl and related substances has been observed in communities throughout the United States, contributing to the ongoing drug overdose epidemic. Recent estimates from the CDC indicate that approximately 107,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2023. Notably, fentanyl overdose is now the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 49. Alarmingly, over half of the counterfeit pills tested in recent years have contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
“The fentanyl epidemic has claimed the lives of countless Americans, and this case highlights the Department’s strong determination to prosecute all individuals involved in the dangerous fentanyl supply chain,” stated Brian M. Boynton, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and leader of the Civil Division at the Justice Department. “Our commitment to safeguarding the American public remains unwavering as we pursue those responsible for the illegal distribution of components and machinery that enable the production of counterfeit pills.”
“The defendant is accused of selling equipment that has the potential to be used in the production of dangerous opioid pills, posing a significant threat to American families,” stated Katrina W. Berger, Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “HSI takes great pride in collaborating with our law enforcement counterparts to combat the distribution of such equipment, which is commonly employed in the manufacturing of these highly destructive drugs.”
A federal court in Nevada has ordered the detention of Chen, a foreign national, until her trial in El Paso. The indictment, which was returned on November 20, accuses Chen of conspiring to distribute and import a tableting machine used to manufacture a controlled substance. Additionally, she is charged with conspiring to distribute dies that are designed to imprint and reproduce the trademark, trade name, and other identifying marks of another entity. If found guilty, Chen could face a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The determination of her sentence would be made by a federal district court judge, who would consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
HSI and Customs and Border Protection are currently conducting an investigation into the case.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Edward E. Emokpae, Scott B. Dahlquist, and Kaitlin Sahni from the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch, along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Franco Gregory and Donna S. Miller for the Western District of Texas. Additionally, Attorneys Colin Trundle and Sarah Williams from the Consumer Protection Branch have provided valuable assistance.
In a court of law, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, regardless of whether an indictment or complaint has been made. It is important to remember that these legal documents only serve as allegations and do not automatically establish guilt.