12 indicted for alleged sale of prescription drugs on Net

The 108-count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., charges that customers were able to purchase the drugs with inadequate or no medical supervision, little diagnostic testing, and scant monitoring of the person's response to the drugs as required by law.

The Internet sites used mass e-mail and advertising to sell drugs, giving discounts to customers who bought large quantities.

"Drug trafficking in cyberspace is just as harmful to public safety as drug trafficking on street corners," said US Attorney Paul McNulty. "The advent of the Internet does not mean doctors and pharmacists can bypass rules concerning the dispensing of prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances."

Charges include illegal distribution of controlled substances -- such as the diet drugs Bontril, Ionamin, Phentermine, and Adipex -- and illegal use of a communications facility to perform the distribution.

Among those charged was Vineet K. Chhabra, also known as Vincent K. Chhabra, a 32-year-old resident of Golden Beach, Fla., described by prosecutors as the main organizer of the scheme. He faces at least 20 years in prison.

Also facing multiple counts and more than 20 years in prison are Chhabra's sister, Sabina S. Faruqui, of Weston, Fla., and their uncle, Sunil K. Sethi of Midlothian, Va. The Chhabra Group LLC and USA Prescription Inc. also were charged as businesses with conspiracy.

Four physicians also were charged in the indictment with illegally allowing their names to appear on vials of drugs dispensed over the Internet.

The defendants could be forced to forfeit more than $125 million from the illegal sales, prosecutors said.

The Justice Department, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Food and Drug Administration are involved in the investigation.