Customs agents seize more than $460K worth of Viagra, Cialis pills

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. customs agents seized a shipment that contained unapproved quantities of Viagra and Cialis pills on Tuesday, authorities said.

>> Read more trending news

In a news release Thursday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Louisville, Kentucky, discovered a shipment arriving from Hong Kong and headed to an address in Montreal.

Customs agents found 4,780 unapproved Viagra pills and 2,000 unapproved Cialis pills, the release stated.

If genuine and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the pills had an estimated value of more than $460,000.

“Our officers are dedicated to identifying and intercepting these types of shipments that could potentially harm our communities,” LaFonda Sutton-Burke, director for the CBP’s Chicago field office, field operation, said in a statement. “Consumers do not realize the risk they are taking when using prescription drugs from other countries. These non-regulated drugs could cause health concerns or even death.”

The FDA regulates pharmaceuticals that contain an active pharmaceutical ingredient, the CBP said in its release. Because only 3% of online pharmacies reviewed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy are in compliance with U.S. pharmacy laws and practice standards, buying controlled substances through online vendors is risky, according to the release.

“CBP works closely with FDA and other partner agencies to effect this mission and make sure controlled substances with unknown additives or inferior standards do not make their way into American households,” Louisville Port Director Thomas Mahn said in a statement.

©2021 Cox Media Group