A Michigan resident, Donald Nchamukong, has been charged and agreed to plead guilty in connection with a conspiracy involving the importation and sale of illegal pharmaceuticals, including opioids. The scheme was reportedly funded by fraudulently obtaining a Covid pandemic relief loan.
Nchamukong, 37, faces charges of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, commit loan fraud, and distribute controlled substances. He is expected to appear in federal court in Boston on a date yet to be scheduled.
The charging documents indicate that from 2019 to 2022, Nchamukong and co-conspirator Doyal Kalita distributed drugs within the United States via the internet and call centers in India. Allegedly using shell companies disguised as a dietary supplements company and an auto parts supplier, they processed sales of illegal foreign drugs such as tramadol. They received shipments of tramadol from India for distribution across the U.S., including Massachusetts. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they allegedly obtained a $200,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan under false pretenses to support their illegal activities.
Kalita was convicted in 2024 and sentenced to ten years in prison for orchestrating this drug distribution scheme along with technical support fraud and money laundering.
The charge of conspiracy could lead to up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000 or twice the monetary gain or loss. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen of the FBI's Boston Division; Thomas Demeo from IRS Criminal Investigation; and Fernando P. McMillan from FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations. Assistance came from Homeland Security Investigations New York, Small Business Administration, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil is prosecuting.
In May 2021, the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force was established by the Attorney General to enhance efforts against pandemic-related fraud through collaboration across government agencies.
For more information on pandemic response: https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus or https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud.
Reports about attempted COVID-19 fraud can be submitted via the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or Web Complaint Form.
Charges detailed are allegations until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.