Three men from different states have been arrested and charged in connection with an international drug trafficking operation involving counterfeit pharmaceuticals, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Leeladhar H. Tandel of Mobile, Alabama; Barry M. Wright of Marietta, Georgia; and Jesus Andon of St. Louis, Missouri were taken into custody following a criminal complaint alleging conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti said the Buffalo Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been investigating online platforms such as “MEDDZONLINE.COM,” which have advertised medications including Percocet, Adderall, Alprazolam, and Oxycodone for sale. Authorities believe these websites are part of a larger organization trafficking drugs both within the United States and internationally.
According to investigators, after receiving orders through these sites, bulk shipments are sent via international mail to a U.S.-based re-shipper before being distributed domestically through the postal service by individuals paid per package mailed.
The investigation began in February 2024 after a non-fatal overdose occurred in Silver Creek, New York. The victim had purchased drugs multiple times from MEDDZONLINE.COM—including Valium, Ambien, and Tapentadol—and payments were traced back to an individual in Pakistan. This indicated that while the websites claimed drugs originated and shipped within the United States, proceeds flowed overseas.
Controlled purchases conducted by law enforcement led to identifying Tandel as a co-conspirator distributing illegal or counterfeit substances through the U.S. Postal Service from Alabama; he is suspected of mailing at least 40 packages nationwide. Undercover operations also implicated Wright in Georgia with shipping 333 parcels containing various Schedule II and IV drugs across the country. Andon allegedly shipped 41 packages containing Ambien pills from St. Louis.
The DEA’s investigation was led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the New York Field Division with support from offices in St. Louis, Atlanta, and Mobile.
U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo stated: “If members of the public have purchased substances from any of the following websites, they should not ingest the substances and contact law enforcement:
MEDDZONLINE.COM
PHARMACYSTOREONLINE.COM
MEDSHEALTHONLINE.COM
PHARMACYHUBONLINE.COM
PHARMACYMEDSONLINE.COM”
Authorities remind that charges are accusations only: “The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
