FedEx Faces Federal Indictment on Decade-Long Drug Trafficking Charges One of the world's largest couriers has been accused of conspiring to deliver prescription drugs on behalf of illegal Internet pharmacies.

By Geoff Weiss

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

FedEx, one of the largest shipping businesses in the world, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiring to deliver prescription drugs from illegal Internet pharmacies.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and members of Congress initially warned FedEx of the illegal shipping activity roughly a decade ago, according to the indictment.

Nevertheless, FedEx "knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute controlled substances" like Ambien and Diazepam in collaboration with two Internet pharmacies, the Chhabra-Smoley Organization and Superior Drugs, the Justice Department said.

Related: Walter White's 5 Most Badass Business Moves in 'Breaking Bad'

Even after these pharmacies were shut down by state and federal law enforcement and their owners had been arrested, FedEx continued to deliver the drugs, the indictment says. Overall profits resulting from these deliveries are said to be roughly $820 million.

In some cases, when FedEx couriers in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia complained to senior management about being directed to seedy delivery addresses or of customers jumping on their trucks and demanding packages of pills, the company simply adopted a policy by which these packages could be held for pick up at FedEx stations.

FedEx has been summoned to court in San Francisco on July 29, and faces a maximum fine of $1.64 billion, among other penalties.

Related: Burger With A Side of Heroin? McDonald's Worker Found Selling Drugs in Happy Meals

"This indictment highlights the importance of holding corporations that knowingly enable illegal activity responsible for their role in aiding criminal behavior," U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag said.

In response, FedEx's senior vice president of marketing and communications, Patrick Fitzgerald, told USA Today, "We are a transportation company -- we are not law enforcement."

"Whenever DEA provides us a list of pharmacies engaging in illegal activity, we will turn off shipping for those companies immediately," he added. "So far the government has declined to provide such a list."

Related: 4 Steps to Deal with an Employee's Substance Abuse Problem

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

This Gen Zer's Stylish Side Hustle Earns About $20,000 a Month and Paid Off His Parents' $200,000 Debt: 'I Enjoy the Hands-Off Nature'

Ray Cao went from working as a barista for $8 an hour to being a successful seller on online marketplace StockX.

Business News

Make $177,566 With No Experience in 3 Months: A Popular Online 'Side Hustle' Course Is Under Investigation After Customers Complain About Its Deceptive Claims

"All you need is a phone, a laptop, wi-fi and one to three hours a day," one affiliate marketer said in a video posted to social media.

Productivity

6 Habits That Help Successful People Maximize Their Time

There aren't enough hours in the day, but these tips will make them feel slightly more productive.

Business News

'A Lobstrosity': Social Media Is Losing It Over Martha Stewart's Latest Meal Posting

The 82-year-old caused quite a stir on Instagram this week.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.