A Michigan resident has admitted guilt in a federal court in Boston for his involvement in a scheme to import and distribute illegal pharmaceuticals, including opioids. The operation was funded through fraudulent acquisition of a COVID-19 pandemic relief loan.
Donald Nchamukong, aged 37, confessed to charges of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, commit loan fraud, and distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton has set the sentencing date for June 25, 2025.
From 2019 until 2022, Nchamukong collaborated with Doyal Kalita to distribute drugs within the United States via the internet and call centers based in India. Nchamukong utilized shell companies and associated bank accounts to process sales of illegal foreign drugs like tramadol, a Schedule IV opioid. The duo received shipments from India and redistributed them across the U.S., including Massachusetts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they secured a $200,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan under false pretenses to support their illicit activities.
Kalita was convicted in 2024 and sentenced to ten years imprisonment for leading both an online drug distribution scheme and a technical support fraud scheme alongside related money laundering activities.
The charge of conspiracy could result in up to five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and fines reaching $250,000 or twice the monetary gain or loss involved. Sentences are determined by federal district court judges according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen from the FBI's Boston Division; Thomas Demeo from IRS Criminal Investigation's Boston Field Office; and Fernando P. McMillan from FDA's New York Field Office announced these developments today. Homeland Security Investigations in New York also contributed valuable assistance along with other agencies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil is prosecuting this case as Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial, and Cyber Fraud Unit.
In response to pandemic-related frauds like this one, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021. This task force aims to enhance efforts against domestic and international criminal actors exploiting relief programs during the pandemic.
For more information on combating such frauds or reporting attempts involving COVID-19 relief funds misuse can be directed through official Department of Justice channels online or via hotline services provided by NCDF.
