Suspects Arrested in Downtown Los Angeles for Selling Counterfeit Contact Lenses NR21186jl

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division, Illicit Pharmaceutical and Counterfeit Unit (IPCU), arrested three individuals at several locations in downtown Los Angeles for selling counterfeit contact lenses to undercover officers.

The suspects operated and sold counterfeit contact lenses out of stores located within the downtown area of Los Angeles. IPCU Detectives also confiscated counterfeit make-up and illegal fireworks during their investigation. California Department of Public Health Investigators assisted with the investigation and confirmed that contact lenses are classified as medical devices and should only be sold by licensed medical professionals.

Of the numerous seized contact lenses, samples were examined at the scene by the brand manufacturer and deemed counterfeit, in violation of recorded and registered trademarks. All three suspects were arrested for selling medical devices without a license.

The purchase of counterfeits products may be hazardous to your health. In many instances counterfeit medical devices and 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.

In order 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.

Suspect-1: Sulmi Gonzalez-Calderon, 42-years-old, Los Angeles Resident

Suspect-2: Karla Lopez-Meza, 33-years-old, Los Angeles Resident

Suspect-3: Eulalia Pacherrez, 50-years-old, Los Angeles Resident
Location of Arrest: 1000 block of Santee Alley, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Charge: 11352.1 H&S – Furnishing Prescription Drugs Without a License.

Anyone with information regarding counterfeit crimes are asked to contact Commercial Crimes Detectives at 213-486-6940. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.