In late October, CBP and FDA agents conducted a major operation targeting illegal pharmaceuticals coming into America. What they found was shocking: 398 shipments of undeclared contact lenses, 50 shipments of misbranded drugs, and enough unapproved medical devices to fill a pharmacy.
The street value? $407,784. And all of it was destined for American addresses—including potentially Texas.
This wasn’t some small smuggling operation. This was a coordinated effort to flood American online marketplaces with fake drugs, counterfeit Botox, and black market contact lenses.
What Actually Got Seized
The operation intercepted 448 total shipments containing:
8,521 pairs of undeclared or misdeclared contact lenses. These weren’t labeled properly. Many weren’t declared at all—just hidden in packages coming through the mail system.
Misbranded prescription drugs including:
- GLP1 medications (diabetes and weight loss drugs like Ozempic alternatives)
- Botox and dermal fillers
- Orthopedic injections
- Rheumatology infusions
- Oncology drugs (cancer medications)
- Skin care products
- Other FDA-prohibited substances and powders
All of it was heading to addresses across the entire United States. Not concentrated in one region. Nationwide distribution network.
Why This Matters
These aren’t just counterfeit handbags or fake watches. These are medical products. Contact lenses go in your eyes. Botox goes in your face. Oncology drugs treat cancer. GLP1 medications manage diabetes and control blood sugar.
If they’re fake, contaminated, or improperly manufactured, they can cause serious harm.
“Counterfeit products, such as these items, can contain toxic substances that can impact the public’s health,” said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations for CBP’s Chicago office. “Counterfeiters have no moral compass and will counterfeit just about anything to make a buck.”
The Contact Lens Crisis
Here’s something most people don’t know: all contact lenses are medical devices. They require a valid prescription from a licensed optometrist. They cannot legally be sold over the counter.
But online, you can find contact lenses being sold without prescriptions. Halloween costume contacts. Cosmetic colored contacts. All illegal.
Why does it matter? Because contact lenses go directly on your eye. If they’re contaminated, made with wrong materials, or improperly fitted, they can cause:
- Serious eye infections
- Corneal abrasions
- Permanent vision damage
- Blindness in severe cases
The FDA explicitly emphasizes: contact lenses are not accessories. They’re medical devices requiring medical supervision.
Yet 8,521 pairs of illegal contacts were intercepted in this one operation alone. Imagine how many aren’t caught.
The Pharmaceutical Danger
The drugs seized included GLP1 medications—the weight loss and diabetes drugs that are in huge demand right now. People searching online for cheaper Ozempic alternatives sometimes find counterfeit GLP1 products.
What’s in counterfeit GLP1? Nobody knows. It might be the real drug. It might be diluted. It might contain completely different compounds. It might be inert sugar water. It might be toxic.
When you buy medications from illegal online pharmacies, you’re gambling with your health.
“Imported pharmaceuticals must meet FDA’s standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness,” CBP explained. “Unfortunately, many online pharmacies are not compliant with U.S. pharmacy standards. This poses health risks to consumers who purchase what they believe is a genuine product at a much lower cost.”
The risks include:
- Unknown ingredients
- Unusual or severe side effects
- Complete lack of effectiveness
- Toxic contamination
- Wrong dosage
- Expired medications
Why People Buy Black Market Drugs
The answer is simple: cost. Legal Botox is expensive. Legal contact lenses require a prescription and can be pricey. Legal GLP1 medications are in short supply and cost hundreds of dollars per month.
Online black market alternatives are cheap. Really cheap. Sometimes 50-75% cheaper than legitimate products.
But you get what you pay for. And sometimes you get something you didn’t pay for—like poisoning.
The Texas Angle
Texas has major population centers where people buy pharmaceuticals online. Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio—all have residents searching for cheaper drugs, contact lenses, and cosmetic products online.
This operation seized shipments destined for addresses “across the entire United States.” That includes Texas. The fake drugs and contact lenses were heading to Texans.
For Texas consumers, the message is clear: buying pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, or cosmetic medical devices from unverified online sources is dangerous.
How These Get Through
The shipments were coming through the mail system. Some were undeclared. Some were misdeclared—labeled as something else to avoid inspection. Some came in packages marked as cosmetics or accessories instead of pharmaceuticals.
CBP caught them because of intelligence-led targeting and coordination with FDA agents. But they don’t catch everything. For every shipment seized, how many slip through?
What You Need to Know If You Buy Online
If you’re thinking about buying:
- Contact lenses without a prescription
- Medications from foreign online pharmacies
- Botox or dermal fillers from non-medical sources
- Weight loss drugs or GLP1 medications from gray-market sellers
- Any FDA-regulated pharmaceutical or medical device from sketchy websites
Stop. You’re taking a major health risk.
Legitimate sources:
- Licensed ophthalmologists and optometrists (for contact lenses)
- Licensed pharmacies with prescriptions (for medications)
- Medical doctors (for Botox, dermal fillers, injectable medications)
- FDA-approved retailers
Yes, it’s more expensive. Yes, it requires prescriptions and doctor visits. But your eyes, your health, and potentially your life are worth it.
The Enforcement Picture
This isn’t a one-time operation. CBP and FDA have been systematically targeting pharmaceutical smuggling.
In fiscal year 2025 alone, 146 shipments of illegal contact lenses and unapproved FDA-regulated items were seized, and another 38 were denied entry.
That’s hundreds of shipments in a single year. Thousands of individual products. Millions of dollars in black market pharmaceuticals being intercepted.
And that’s just what gets caught.
How to Report It
If you see a vendor illegally selling contact lenses, medications, or other FDA-regulated products online, you can report them.
Contact the FDA directly. Tell them the website, the products being sold, and what’s being claimed. The FDA takes these reports seriously because they affect public health.
The Bottom Line
CBP and FDA just intercepted $407,784 worth of fake pharmaceuticals, counterfeit Botox, illegal contact lenses, and misbranded drugs heading to American consumers.
These products can cause serious harm. Contact lenses can damage your eyes. Fake medications can fail to treat disease or cause toxicity. Counterfeit Botox could contain anything.
The operation proves the problem is real. Hundreds of shipments. Thousands of products. Nationwide distribution.
If you’re tempted to buy pharmaceuticals or medical devices from cheap online sources, remember: you’re not just risking money. You’re risking your health.
Stick with licensed providers. Get prescriptions. Pay the legitimate price. Your eyes and your body will thank you.
What Got Seized:
- 398 shipments of undeclared/misdeclared contact lenses (8,521 pairs)
- 50 shipments of misbranded/misdeclared drugs and devices
- Products included: GLP1 medications, Botox, dermal fillers, orthopedic injections, oncology drugs, skin care products
- Total MSRP value: $407,784
- Destination: Addresses across entire United States
FDA-Regulated Products Requiring Legal Purchase:
- Contact lenses (require valid prescription)
- Prescription medications (require prescription from licensed pharmacist)
- Botox and dermal fillers (require medical doctor)
- Injectable medications (require prescription and medical oversight)
- Medical devices (require FDA approval)
Risks of Black Market Pharmaceuticals:
- Unknown ingredients
- Contamination and toxins
- Wrong dosage or expired products
- Lack of effectiveness
- Serious side effects
- Permanent health damage
Report Illegal Sales:
- Contact FDA directly if you see illegal pharmaceutical sales online
- Report to CBP: 1-800-BE-ALERT
- All reports confidential
