Woman Indicted in El Paso for Alleged Distribution of Drug Manufacturing Equipment
A Chinese national has been indicted in El Paso, Texas, for allegedly distributing pill press equipment used in the manufacture of illegal drugs, particularly those containing fentanyl. Xaiofei Chen faces serious charges following her arrest in Las Vegas during a trade exhibition where she was reportedly selling pill press machines.
Details of the Indictment
Chen has been charged with two counts:
- Conspiracy to distribute and import a tableting machine used to manufacture a controlled substance
- Conspiracy to distribute dies intended to imprint and replicate trademarks of another entity
If convicted, Chen could face up to four years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Alleged Criminal Activities
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Chen:
- Worked for a China-based company supplying dies and equipment
- Sold machinery and counterfeit molds to U.S. buyers
- Evaded Drug Enforcement Administration disclosure requirements by disassembling equipment and shipping components separately
- Mislabeled packages to conceal illegal items
The equipment allegedly distributed included counterfeit dies, specifically M30 dies designed to replicate common prescription medications for producing fake opioid pills.
Law Enforcement Response
This case is part of ongoing efforts to combat the distribution of equipment used in manufacturing illegal drugs, particularly those containing fentanyl. The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Customs and Border Protection1.
Legal Context
The Controlled Substances Act prohibits the sale of pill press machinery and counterfeit die molds intended for unlawful use and requires reporting of certain equipment transactions1. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit drugs.
Sources:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/woman-indicted-el-paso-alleged-232858776.html
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