Florida Man Arrested in HIV Drug Distribution Scheme

Lazaro Hernandez of Miami, FL, has been arrested for allegedly distributing over $230 million in adulterated HIV drugs. The U.S. government contends that Hernandez was part of a nationwide scheme to defraud FDA. According to the indictment, he acquired large quantities of HIV medication illegally and then created false drug labeling and other documentation to make it appear as though these high-priced drugs had been obtained legitimately.

“To carry out the scheme, Hernandez and co-conspirators established licensed wholesale drug distribution companies in Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York,” according to a Justice Department release. Hernandez is charged with conspiracy to deliver into interstate commerce adulterated and misbranded drugs, conspiracy to traffic in medical products with false documentation, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and specific money laundering offenses. If convicted on all counts, he faces more than 100 years in prison.