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FedEx Indicted for shipping drugs sold online
The Justice Department on Thursday charged FedEx Corp. with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for its alleged role in transporting painkillers and other prescription drugs that had been sold illegally.
In a 15-count indictment filed in San Francisco, federal prosecutors say that beginning in 2004 the company repeatedly ignored warnings from the government it was breaking the law by shipping drugs ordered from online pharmacies that dispensed them to anyone who filled out an online questionnaire. Among the charges included in the indictment are conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute misbranded drugs, distribution of controlled substances and misbranding drugs.
FedEx has repeatedly asked for a list of online pharmacies that are illegally shipping prescription drugs, Mr. Fitzgerald [FedEx spokesman] said. "Whenever DEA provides us a list of pharmacies engaging in illegal activity, we will turn off shipping for those companies immediately," he added.
"We are a transportation company — we are not law enforcement," Mr. Fitzgerald added.
If found guilty, FedEx faces a potential fine of at least $1.6 billion, along with restitution and forfeiture of profits, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney's office in the Northern District of California.
Prosecutors say FedEx made at least $820 million shipping the drugs. If found guilty, the company faces a potential maximum fine of twice that. FedEx has been summoned to appear in court July 29 in San Francisco.
(this world looks to my eyes more "the onion"-y by the day. How long 'til toll highway operators will be indicted for letting controlled substances passing through toll gateways?)
