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June 18, 2008

Chinese drug maker ordered to forfeit about $2.7 million

PROVIDENCE -- A Chinese drug manufacturer accused of illegally shipping human growth hormone into the United States has been ordered to forfeit about $2.7 million to the federal government.

Genescience Pharmaceuticals and its chief executive, Lei Jin, were indicted on federal charges last year as part of Operation Raw Deal, when more than 120 people were arrested and dozens of underground labs were raided.

Prosecutors say Genescience illegally marketed human growth hormone over the Internet to a network of distributors.

According to an affidavit, agents based in Rhode Island examined more than 20,000 e-mails sent between Lei Jin and his confederates between 2003 and 2007.

Federal agents seized money linked to the alleged illegal shipments from the New York branches of Chinese banks. The U.S. Attorney's office in Rhode Island said today that a federal judge ordered the forfeiture earlier this month.

The company's attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 1:29 PM | Permalink

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