Suspect arrested for Selling Counterfeit Botox and Juvederm without a Medical License NR21151wc

Los Angeles: On Friday, May 21, 2021, The Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division, Illicit Pharmaceutical and Counterfeit Unit (IPCU), arrested Josefa Acosta for selling counterfeit Botox to undercover officers.

Acosta set up an on-line store and a makeshift medical office within her residence. IPCU detectives also confiscated Juvéderm, syringes, and other pharmaceuticals that should only be possessed by licensed medical professionals.

Samples of the numerous seized pharmaceuticals were sent to a laboratory for testing and deemed counterfeit by the manufacturer, in violation of recorded and registered trademarks. Acosta was arrested for selling prescription drugs without a license.

The purchase of counterfeit products may be hazardous to your health. In many instances counterfeit cosmetic materials have been known to cause serious adverse reactions such as infections, facial paralysis, tissue death, and blindness. Manufacturers of counterfeit products are not beholden to the same rigorous materials and safety testing standards.

To prevent the risk of buying counterfeit, only buy from authorized medical providers or directly from the manufacturers, do your due diligence when researching the names and places of your suppliers.

Josefa Acosta, 57, a resident of Palm Desert, was arrested and booked for 11352.1 H&S, "Furnishing Prescription Drugs Without A License."