Chloroquine smuggled into US to be falsely sold as coronavirus ‘cure,’ feds say

An Oregon man accused of smuggling chloroquine into the U.S. from China to resell as a supposed coronavirus cure faces up to 23 years in prison if convicted, authorities say.

Matthew Owens, 42, of Gresham has been charged with “smuggling and the receipt in interstate commerce of misbranded drugs and the delivery thereof for pay”, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Oregon says in a release.

Chloroquine, the active ingredient in anti-malaria drugs, is related to hydroxychloroquine, which President Donald Trump once touted as a promising treatment for coronavirus, CNBC reported.

Medical studies have found no benefit to coronavirus patients from the drugs, and one study found an elevated risk of heart attacks, according to the network.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned doctors against prescribing chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 outside of hospitals or clinical trials.

“Together, Americans are facing a public health emergency without precedent in our lifetimes,” said U.S. Attorney Billy Williams in a statement. “And yet, there are some individuals actively trying to profit off the pandemic, and, in the process, putting more lives at risk. We will not let these selfish and dangerous criminal acts continue unchecked.”

“It’s unconscionable that individuals would prioritize their own greed over the health of others, particularly during a public health crisis,” said Eben Roberts, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Seattle, in a statement.

An investigation of Owens began in April after a package containing a white powder later identified as chloroquine was intercepted at a FedEx facility en route to his apartment from China, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Investigators later discovered two earlier shipments of other chemicals to Owens, the release says. Neither Owens nor the company shipping the drug have the appropriate licenses for the shipments, according to the release.

A search of his apartment found clear vials for repackaging drugs for sale, along with computers and cell phones containing messages about selling chloroquine as a coronavirus treatment, the release says.

If convicted, Owens could face a $500,000 fine along with the potential prison time, the U.S. Attorney’s Office says.

This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 9:39 AM with the headline "Chloroquine smuggled into US to be falsely sold as coronavirus ‘cure,’ feds say."