The U.S. Department of Justice has announced the arrest of a Chinese citizen for allegedly illegally selling pill-pressing equipment in Las Vegas, followed by indictment by a grand jury in El Paso, Texas. According to the Department of Justice, criminals could use these devices to manufacture illegal drugs containing fentanyl.
The Department of Justice stated that Xiaofei Chen was arrested by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on October 29th at a trade show in Las Vegas.
The criminal complaint alleges that the pill-pressing machine sold by Xiaofei Chen could be used in conjunction with stamps or molds to mimic commonly prescribed controlled pharmaceuticals, creating counterfeit pills that resemble legitimate medications.
The complaint further states that Xiaofei Chen worked for a Chinese company selling molds and related equipment, and sold pill-pressing equipment and counterfeit molds to buyers in the United States.
The Department of Justice also accuses Xiaofei Chen of disassembling the equipment and shipping its components separately to the United States to evade disclosure requirements from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
These devices are said to include the M30 molds commonly used to replicate prescription drugs, which are often used in the production of counterfeit opioid pills.
The indictment alleges that Xiaofei Chen used incorrect labelling on parcels to conceal the presence of illegal equipment.
In a statement, the Department of Justice pointed out that under the Controlled Substances Act, it is prohibited to sell equipment to individuals intending to unlawfully use pill-pressing machines and counterfeit molds, and certain sales of equipment must be reported. Counterfeit drugs produced by such equipment may be laced with fentanyl and other dangerous substances.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. The CDC estimates that around 107,000 Americans died from fentanyl-related causes in 2023. Fentanyl overdose is a leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 49.
Brian M. Boynton, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice, stated in a release, “The widespread availability of fentanyl has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Americans, and this case reflects the unwavering commitment of the Department of Justice to prosecute every level of the lethal fentanyl supply chain.”
Xiaofei Chen will face trial in El Paso, Texas. If convicted, the defendant could face a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The Department of Justice emphasized that the criminal complaint only presents charges, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.