A distributor who sold over 180,000 counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs in South Korea has been fined tens of millions of won and given a suspended prison sentence.
According to the legal sources on the 2nd, the Criminal Agreement Division 25 of the Seoul Central District Court sentenced the suspect, who was indicted for violating the Special Measures Act on the Control of Health Crimes (including the manufacture of counterfeit drugs), to a suspended prison term of 3 years and 5 years of probation. The suspect was also ordered to pay a fine of KRW 2.5 billion (about $2.1 million). The fine exceeds double the price of the counterfeit erectile dysfunction treatments sold by the suspect.
The suspect is accused of selling 182,087 counterfeit erectile dysfunction treatments, valued at KRW 1.214 billion (about $1 million), from April 2018 to October 2019, spanning 9,878 transactions.
The suspect is under investigation for conspiring with a supplier, known as President Hwang, to sell counterfeit erectile dysfunction treatments similar to Viagra and Cialis online, intending to share profits.
The suspect resided in Guangzhou, China, and Hanoi, Vietnam operated the business by receiving payment for orders. Afterward, his supplier (Hwang) ships counterfeit erectile dysfunction treatments via courier.
The judge pointed out, “The suspect’s guilt is substantial due to the quantity of counterfeit erectile dysfunction treatments sold and the scale of the transactions,” adding, “The suspect gained profits amounting to KRW 300 million (about $250,000) and actively promoted through advertising by establishing and operating an internet website, which aggravates the severity of the offense.”
However, the judge explained the sentencing rationale by stating, “It does not appear that the suspect played a professional or organized role. His economic circumstances seem to have driven him to commit the crime temporarily,” emphasizing, “There have been no confirmed cases of health issues arising from the use of counterfeit treatments. He is currently employed at a legitimate company in Vietnam, supporting his spouse and daughter.”
