A woman was arrested on suspicion of selling counterfeit Juvederm and Botox without a medical license, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Thursday.
Josefa Acosta, 57, of Palm Desert, was arrested May 21 on suspicion of selling prescription drugs without a license after she sold counterfeit Botox to undercover officers, a statement from the LAPD said.
According to the LAPD, Acosta set up an online store and makeshift medical office in her residence.
Detectives from the department’s Illicit Pharmaceutical and Counterfeit Unit say they confiscated syringes as well as Juvéderm and other pharmaceuticals that are meant to be possessed only by licensed medical professionals.
Samples of the pharmaceuticals seized at Acosta’s residence were sent to a laboratory for testing and were found to be counterfeit by the manufacturer, in violation of recorded and registered trademarks, police said.
Purchasing of counterfeit products can be hazardous to a person’s health and can cause serious adverse reactions such as infections, facial paralysis, tissue death and blindness. Manufacturers of counterfeit products are not upheld to the same rigorous materials and safety testing standards.
To prevent the risk of buying counterfeit, it is recommended to only buy from authorized medical providers or directly from the manufacturers, and to research the names and places of your suppliers, police said.
Detectives ask anyone who has been a victim or has any information regarding this crime to please contact Commercial Crimes Detectives at 213-486-6940. 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.