Selling counterfeit illegal drugs is a crime in many U.S. states' legal codes and in the federal law of the United States. The fake drugs are sometimes termed as imitation controlled substances.[1]

There is a low chance of law punishing fraud among illicit drug traders, however it is likely that informal social control among drug traders reduces the likelihood of fraud between illegal trade partners. For instance, getting robbed or losing a business contact may not justify dealer's increased profits for a short-term from fraudulent behavior.[2]

Selling counterfeit illicit drugs is illegal even if the substances used to make the imitation drug are not illegal on themselves.[3][4] It is illegal to distribute or sell counterfeit fake drugs in many U.S. states including Nevada,[5] Ohio,[6] Illinois,[7] Florida,[8] Michigan[1] and Massachusetts.[3]

U.S. Federal Law

Selling counterfeit illicit drugs is illegal under the U.S. federal law.[3] Relevant parts of the U.S. federal law include 21 U.S.C. Section 331 and 18 U.S. Code § 1001.[3]

21 U.S.C. Section 331[9] makes it illegal to sell an adulterated or misbranded drug in interstate commerce.

18 U.S. Code § 1001[10] bans

  • falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact;
  • making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation; or
  • making or using any false writing or document knowing that it contains materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statements.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Counterfeit & Synthetic Drugs - Davis Law Group". Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  2. ↑ Benoit Leclerc; Richard Wortley (15 August 2013). Cognition and Crime: Offender Decision Making and Script Analyses. Routledge. p. 133. ISBN 978-1-136-18535-9.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Boston's Criminal Defense Attorney - Keegan Law". 17 November 2015. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Can You Be Convicted for Passing Off and Selling Legal Substances as Drugs?". 11 August 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  5. ↑ "NRS: CHAPTER 453 - CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES". www.leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  6. ↑ "Lawriter - ORC - 2925.37 Counterfeit controlled substance offenses". codes.ohio.gov. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "LOOK-ALIKE DRUGS: A FELONY IN ILLINOIS". www.skokiecriminallawyer.com. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "Selling Fake Controlled Substances - Florida Statute 817.563 :: West Palm Beach Drug Crime Attorney The Law Offices of Roger P. Foley, P.A." www.felonyflorida.com. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  9. ↑ "21 U.S. Code § 331 - Prohibited acts". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  10. ↑ "18 U.S. Code § 1001 - Statements or entries generally". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
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