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http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txs/releases/December%202007/071203Gawasmmah.htm

Dec. 3 , 2007

FORMER STORE OWNER SENTENCED FOR IMPORTING AND DISTRIBUTING COUNTERFEIT DRUGS

(HOUSTON, Texas) – The former owner of RU Sophisticated clothing store has been sentenced to prison for conspiring to import and distribute counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

Mohammad Gawasmmah, 40, was sentenced Fri., Nov. 30, 2007, by U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon to 20 months imprisonment for aiding and abetting the importation and distribution of counterfeit and misbranded Viagra and Cialis. Both pharmaceutical drugs, Viagra is manufactured by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and Cialis by Eli Lilly Company. Indicted in January 2007, Gawasmmah pleaded guilty in May 2007.

Special Agents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted an investigation producing evidence proving that in July 2005, Gawasmmah traveled to China to purchase general merchandise for RU Sophisticated, a store he operated on Harwin Drive in Houston. While in China, Gawasmmah met and negotiated with several individuals who offered to sell him counterfeit Viagra and Cialis tablets, and imported the counterfeit pharmaceuticals in a general merchandise container. The loose counterfeit Viagra and Cialis tablets were packaged in plastic bags along with bottles and counterfeit labeling. Once the container arrived in Houston, the tablets were then placed in bottles and the counterfeit labeling was affixed to the bottles. Beginning in November 2005 and continuing through June 13, 2006, Gawasmmah directed Fayez Aledous, an indicted co-conspirator, to make deliveries of the counterfeit drugs to an individual who, in actuality, was an undercover agent.

The investigation lead to the discovery of a self-storage unit leased by Gawasmmah, also on Harwin Drive in Houston. The execution of a search warrant at the unit resulted in the seizure of approximately 45,000 counterfeit Viagra tablets and 15,000 counterfeit Cialis tablets. Aledous has also pleaded guilty to multiple counts arising from the scheme and is serving a 21-month prison term.

Gawasmmah must also serve a three-year term of supervised release once his prison terms is completed.

This case was investigated by DHS, ICE and the FDA and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samuel Louis.

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