The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice announced federal charges against Swapnadip Roy, 33, and Vicky Ramancha, 37, both Indian nationals. The two individuals have been charged with conspiracy and smuggling related to an alleged transnational counterfeit prescription drug distribution scheme. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations assisted with this investigation.
According to court documents, between July 2023 and April 2024, Roy and Ramancha allegedly obtained counterfeit Ozempic from unauthorized sources in China. The indictment alleges that Roy, Ramancha, and their co-conspirators sold the counterfeit Ozempic to other co-conspirators and distributors in the U.S. at deeply discounted prices. The counterfeit products allegedly included packaging, package inserts, pen labels, and needles meant to deceive downstream customers, including pharmacies and patients, into believing they were receiving authentic, manufacturer-authorized Ozempic.
The FDA issued public safety alerts starting in December 2023 to warn consumers, pharmacies, and healthcare providers about counterfeit Ozempic products. Notably, court documents allege that Roy, Ramancha, and their co-conspirators continued distributing counterfeit Ozempic even after the FDA’s December 2023 seizure and public warning.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
