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California Man Arrested for Smuggling Alleged Cognitive Enhancement Drug into the United States from China

OCI BadgeDepartment of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Defendant allegedly sold drug as supplement to online customers in Massachusetts

BOSTON – A California man was arrested today on charges of conspiring to smuggle tianeptine, a drug that claims to enhance mood and cognitive functioning, into the United States from China.

Ryan M. Stabile, 32, was charged in an indictment unsealed today with one count of conspiracy and two counts of introduction of misbranded drugs with intent to defraud and mislead. Stabile will make an initial appearance today in federal court in California and will be arraigned at a later date in federal court in Springfield.

As alleged in the indictment, Stabile smuggled tianeptine, a misbranded drug, from China into the United States and then resold the tianeptine to American consumers on the internet through his company, Supplements for Work. Stabile falsely represented that he was selling tianeptine for research purposes only, even though he sold tianeptine to individuals for personal use. Stabile, through his company, marketed tianeptine as a mood enhancer and claimed that it improved cognitive functioning.

The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of  up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of introduction of misbranded drugs provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Jeffrey Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deepika Bains Shukla of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Topic(s):
Drug Trafficking
Component(s):
USAO - Massachusetts

 
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