In a recent announcement by Federal Prosecutor Danielle R. Sassoon in the Southern District of New York on January 22, a beautician named JGL in Manhattan, who did not possess a proper medical license, was charged for purchasing counterfeit drugs from Asian countries including China. These drugs included counterfeit botulinum toxin products, which were administered to clients at the beautician’s medical spa, leading to one female client experiencing symptoms such as double vision and palpitations. The beautician was arrested on the morning of the 22nd.
According to the charges outlined in the indictment, from around January 2021 to July 2024, JGL operated a medical spa named JGL Aesthetics in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan. Around September 2021, a customer (victim 1) visited JGL Aesthetics to improve facial wrinkles and received botulinum toxin injection therapy. Between September 2021 and February 2024, JGL injected victim 1 approximately eight times with counterfeit botulinum toxin labeled as “Allergan”.
On February 27, 2024, JGL administered the counterfeit botulinum toxin to victim 1 in the armpit and eyebrow area. About three days later, victim 1 began experiencing symptoms such as double vision, dizziness, difficulty swallowing and chewing, palpitations, and slurred speech. Victim 1 visited three hospitals to treat these symptoms and around March 20, 2024, was diagnosed with botulism.
From around April 2023 to January 2024, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted packages sent to JGL Aesthetics, with one package bearing a sender address from Hong Kong. These packages contained a large quantity of counterfeit drugs, including counterfeit botulinum toxin.
Between March and April 2024, several customers who had received injections of counterfeit botulinum toxin reported side effects to JGL, including drooping eyelids, double vision, and weakness in the eye muscles. Despite these complaints, JGL assured customers that the side effects were temporary and insisted that the botulinum toxin he injected was authentic Allergan product.
Despite CBP intercepting packages addressed to JGL and multiple customers reporting health issues after receiving counterfeit botulinum toxin injections, JGL continued to purchase and administer counterfeit drugs to clients. From March 13 to October 2, 2024, JGL Aesthetics recorded at least 700 appointments for botulinum toxin-related services in its customer and service management system. Furthermore, data from the system indicated that JGL Aesthetics had been offering botulinum toxin services as early as January 2021.
JGL was arrested on the 22nd and is facing charges of wire fraud, sale of misbranded drugs, possession and distribution of counterfeit drugs, and smuggling. If convicted, he could potentially face up to 20 years in prison.