WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a public safety alert over a surge in illegal online pharmacies selling counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine. These fake medications, often marketed as popular prescriptions such as oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax, have led to harmful side effects and deaths, the DEA said.
With more Americans turning to online pharmacies for convenience, many of these fraudulent websites—primarily operated from India and the Dominican Republic—pose as legitimate, U.S.-based pharmacies. These illegal websites are designed to look professional, offering 24-hour customer service and user reviews, making it difficult for consumers to recognize the risks involved.
“Often these illegal, online websites use U.S. website addresses and professional-looking designs to appear legitimate when, in fact, they are not. These companies operate illegally, deliberately deceiving American customers into believing they are purchasing safe, regulated medications when they are actually selling fake, counterfeit pills made with fentanyl or methamphetamine,” the DEA said in its alert.
As Emily’s Hope reported last week, at least nine people have died of narcotics poisoning, including a 45-year-old army veteran who thought she was purchasing real oxycodone, according to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. In reality, it was fentanyl.
“The victims of the scheme include people from all walks of life—people of all ages and occupations—from all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Germany, and Slovenia,” Williams said.
18 people are facing charges for allegedly running the massive drug operation that advertised, produced, and sold millions of deadly counterfeit pills disguised as legitimate pharmaceuticals.
Identified Illegal Online Pharmacies
The DEA has named several online pharmacies it says are selling counterfeit medications, including:
- Curecog.com
- Pharmacystoresonline.com
- Careonlinestore.com
- Yourpharmacy.online
- MD724.com
- Greenleafdispensarystore.com
- Whatishydrocodone.weebly.com
- Orderpainkillersonline.com
- USAMedstores.com
Screenshot courtesy: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York
The agency advises anyone who has purchased drugs from these websites to stop using them immediately and contact their local DEA office.
Recognizing Red Flags
“The only safe prescription medications are those prescribed by a licensed medical provider and dispensed by a trusted pharmacy,” the DEA said.
The DEA warns that signs of an illegal pharmacy may include lack of prescription requirements, prices significantly lower than market rates, and foreign currency listings. Additionally, fake pharmacies often skip important quality controls, such as appropriate packaging and expiration dates, and sometimes deliver pills that look different from those obtained from trusted sources.