Three men from Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri have been arrested in connection with an alleged international drug trafficking ring that distributed counterfeit pharmaceuticals across the United States. The arrests were announced by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York.
Leeladhar H. Tandel, 44, of Mobile, Alabama; Barry M. Wright, 55, of Marietta, Georgia; and Jesus Andon, 56, of St. Louis, Missouri are charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in prison.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, the investigation began after a non-fatal overdose in Silver Creek, New York in February 2024 involving drugs purchased online from MEDDZONLINE.COM. The website is one of several under scrutiny for selling counterfeit medications such as Percocet, Adderall, Alprazolam (Xanax), Oxycodone, Valium, Ambien and Tapentadol.
Authorities believe these websites are part of a larger organization operating both domestically and internationally. Orders placed on these sites were allegedly filled through bulk shipments sent via international mail to U.S.-based re-shippers who then forwarded individual packages through the postal system across the country.
Investigators traced payments made for drugs back to an individual in Pakistan despite claims on the website that drugs originated and shipped within the United States. Law enforcement conducted controlled purchases through these websites as part of their operation.
Tandel was identified as a co-conspirator based in Mobile who allegedly mailed at least 40 packages containing illegal or counterfeit substances from Summerdale, Alabama to various locations nationwide including Buffalo.
Wright is accused of shipping a total of 333 parcels containing Schedule II and IV drugs from Georgia while Andon allegedly shipped 41 packages containing Ambien pills from St. Louis to another individual.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Buffalo office under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III with assistance from DEA offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; and Mobile.
U.S. authorities warn members of the public not to ingest substances purchased from MEDDZONLINE.COM or related sites PHARMACYSTOREONLINE.COM; MEDSHEALTHONLINE.COM; PHARMACYHUBONLINE.COM; or PHARMACYMEDSONLINE.COM and urge them to contact law enforcement if they have done so.
“The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
