Safety of drug supply: Tougher laws needed to stem counterfeit drug rings
The FDA has warned that the U.S. drug supply is a potential target for terrorism. On March 29, 2006, the federal Joint Terrorism Task Force unsealed an indictment charging 19 people with operating a global crime and terrorism ring spanning Lebanon, Canada, China, Brazil, Paraguay and the United States. The ring sold counterfeit drugs and other contraband materials, directing its profits to support the criminal terrorist group Hezbollah. This federal announcement is another example of the growing trend linking international crime, terrorism and the drug supply.
By BRYAN A. LIANG
4 May 2006