Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A Michigan resident, Donald Nchamukong, 37, has been charged and agreed to plead guilty in connection with a scheme involving the importation and sale of illegal pharmaceuticals, including opioids. The operation was allegedly funded through a fraudulently obtained Covid pandemic relief loan.
Nchamukong faces charges of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, commit loan fraud, and distribute controlled substances. His initial appearance in federal court in Boston will be scheduled at a later date.
Charging documents reveal that from 2019 to 2022, Nchamukong collaborated with Doyal Kalita to distribute drugs across the United States via the internet and call centers based in India. They allegedly utilized shell companies such as a dietary supplements firm and an auto parts supplier to process sales of illegal foreign drugs like tramadol. The pair also received shipments of tramadol from India for distribution throughout the U.S., including Massachusetts. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they reportedly secured a $200,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan under false pretenses to support their drug distribution activities.
Kalita was convicted in 2024 and sentenced to ten years for his role in both online drug distribution and technical support fraud schemes.
The conspiracy charge carries potential penalties of up to five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and fines reaching $250,000 or twice the monetary gain or loss. Sentencing is determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen from the FBI's Boston Division; Thomas Demeo from IRS Criminal Investigation; and Fernando P. McMillan from FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations. Homeland Security Investigations in New York provided assistance along with other agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil is leading prosecution efforts on this case.
In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force aimed at enhancing government efforts against pandemic-related fraud through partnerships across various agencies.
Anyone with information about attempted COVID-19 fraud can report it via the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or Web Complaint Form.
All details within charging documents are allegations until proven otherwise beyond reasonable doubt in court.
