UPS Forfeits Shipping Profits from Illegal Online Drug Sellers

United Parcel Service (UPS) agreed to forfeit $40 million in payments received from online entities illegally selling and distributing prescription drug products. UPS and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California entered a non-prosecution agreement that also included the company’s commitment to develop a compliance program to ensure that illegal online drug sellers can no longer use UPS services. “We are pleased with the steps UPS has taken to stop the use of its shipping services by illegal online pharmacies,” stated US Attorney for the Northern District of California Melinda Haag. Haag stated further, “Good corporate citizens like UPS play an important role in halting the flow of illegal drugs that degrade our nation’s communities.  We are hopeful that the leadership displayed by UPS through this compliance program will set the standard for the parcel delivery industry and will materially assist the federal government in its battle against illegal Internet pharmacies.” Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicates that from 2003 to 2010, UPS had been alerted by some of its employees that illegal online sellers were using its services to distribute controlled substances and prescription drugs in the absence of valid prescriptions, in violation of the law. DEA also indicates that “UPS has cooperated fully with the investigation and has already taken steps to ensure that illegal Internet pharmacies can no longer use its services to ship drugs.”