Homeland Security Investigations Arrest Man Suspected of Dealing Fake Cancer Drugs After Luring Him to Houston, Sources Say

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) — Federal agents arrested a major target in an international counterfeit cancer drug operation Wednesday in Spring.

The man, identified only as an Indian national by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), was arrested in a busy parking lot north of the highway and Rayford Road. Sources told ABC13 he was thinking of stopping soon. Instead, he was arrested and only ABC13 was present.

“On June 26, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston, with assistance from the Houston Police Department, arrested an Indian national in north Houston on suspicion of trafficking and distribution of counterfeit cancer medications. No additional details can be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation,” HSI Houston said in a statement.

According to police sources, the man flew to Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday and spent the night at a Downton Houston hotel. Wednesday morning, he met with an undercover agent before heading to Spring. Once the man exited the vehicle, other officers approached and arrested him.

“The trafficking and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products poses a serious threat to the health and safety of unsuspecting consumers, impacts legitimate commerce, and compromises our national security,” added Special Agent in Charge Mark Dawson, HSI Houston, in the press release. “HSI Houston is committed to aggressively investigating individuals and criminal organizations involved in the trafficking of counterfeit drugs in order to keep Southeast Texans safe and prevent the introduction of these potentially deadly substances into our communities.”

The market for counterfeit drugs is huge, according to James Langebeer, PhD, UTHealth Houston.

“That’s the real problem. When access and cost become so excessive that people don’t know where to turn because they can’t pay $1,000 or $2,000 a month for a cancer drug or Wegovy, they turn to illegitimate or illicit forms of these medicines. They think they’re the same drugs, but they’re not,” Langebeer said.

And that’s where the danger arises with overdoses and often death, he said.

The World Health Organization estimates that counterfeit medicines represent a $400 billion global market. Here in the United States, despite all the warnings, that’s $4 billion.

“The outcome will always be the same. Never put something in your mouth that you don’t know what it is. It can kill you,” Langebeer said.

On Wednesday, HPD’s Major Violators Division assisted in the operation. The investigation is ongoing.

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