Two Indian nationals face federal charges in Florida for allegedly running a conspiracy to smuggle counterfeit Ozempic from China into the United States, according to the Department of Justice. The scheme reportedly continued even after the Food and Drug Administration seized fake weight-loss drugs and issued public safety warnings in 2023.
Extradition and Charges Filed in Tampa Federal Court
Swapnadip Roy, 33, was extradited from Italy and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday. Roy and his alleged co-conspirator, Vicky Ramancha, 37, are named in an indictment charging one count of conspiracy to commit smuggling and to defraud the United States. Both men also face three counts of smuggling and two counts of selling counterfeit drugs and holding counterfeit drugs for sale, according to DOJ records. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 71 years in prison. Ramancha remains at large.
Sourcing and Distributing Fake Weight-Loss Drugs
Court documents state that Roy and Ramancha began obtaining counterfeit Ozempic from unauthorized sources in China in July 2023, continuing their operations through April 2024. The popular drug is manufactured by Novo, which recently rebranded from its former name, Novo Nordisk. The distribution network allegedly relied on deceptive materials to fool buyers. DOJ stated that the shipments included counterfeit packaging, package inserts, pen labels, and needles designed to trick downstream customers into believing they purchased authentic products authorized by the manufacturer.
Case Background Details
- Defendants: Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha
- Primary Charges: Conspiracy, smuggling, and selling counterfeit prescription drugs
- Maximum Penalty: 71 years in federal prison upon conviction
- Timeline: Operations spanned from July 2023 through April 2024
Florida Supply Agreements and Coerced Deliveries
The indictment details specific sales agreements executed in Florida during the summer of 2023. In July 2023, Ramancha reportedly signed a sales and purchase agreement with an unidentified company in Lakeland, Florida, promising to supply products described as Ozempic at deeply discounted pricing. One month later, Ramancha finalized a similar agreement with a Sanford, Florida, company to supply discounted Ozempic syringes. By November 2023, the operation turned coercive. The indictment alleges that Roy used threats to push product distribution forward in the U.S., writing messages such as, “Listen i am not your friend okay? I am not that guy,” and threatening extreme violence to force a recipient to resolve logistical problems.
Ignoring FDA Seisures and Surging GLP-1 Demand
After federal regulators stepped in, the defendants brushed off the regulatory warnings. Once Roy and Ramancha learned that the FDA had seized distributed products in the U.S., a co-conspirator asked Ramancha if the resulting FDA warning would impact a pending order for 60,000 additional units of Ozempic. The indictment states that Ramancha replied, “Not at all. But you have to make sure your client are not being idiotic.” This illicit trade coincides with a surge in the popularity of GLP-1 medications across the country. Gallup reported in July that the percentage of U.S. adults taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss reached 11% in 2026, up from 3% in 2024, with 15% reporting past use.
Federal Law Enforcement Response
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the DOJ’s Criminal Division issued a statement Tuesday emphasizing the stakes of the investigation. “Counterfeit prescription drugs — especially common ones — threaten the health and safety of every American who depends on the integrity of our pharmaceutical supply,” Duva said, adding that the defendants allegedly exploited public health for personal financial gain.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Counterfeit Ozempic Case
Who has been charged in the counterfeit Ozempic smuggling scheme?
Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha were charged in a federal indictment in Florida. Roy was extradited from Italy, while Ramancha remains at large.
What specific crimes are the defendants facing?
The indictment lists one count of conspiracy to commit smuggling and to defraud the United States, three counts of smuggling, and two counts of selling and holding counterfeit drugs for sale.
How long was the smuggling operation active?
According to court documents, the conspiracy ran from July 2023 through April 2024, continuing even after the FDA seized products and issued public warnings.
What manufacturing company produces authentic Ozempic?
Authentic Ozempic is made by Novo, which recently rebranded from Novo Nordisk.