L.A. Sues Pacoima Store for Illegal Drug Sales

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer on Monday announced that his office has filed a civil lawsuit against the operators of Dulceria El Venado in Pacoima for illegally dispensing prescription drugs without a license. The store, located at 11653 N. Glenoaks Blvd., sells miscellaneous items including candy, snacks and herbs. Investigations revealed that the store allegedly sold illegal, mislabeled and counterfeit pharmaceuticals including the injectable anti-inflammatory drug Diprospan. The defendants did not have a license to sell pharmaceuticals, nor was the business a registered pharmacy. Investigators conducted multiple undercover operations to purchase combinations of counterfeit and unlicensed pharmaceuticals. The lawsuit seeks the permanent termination of the lease at the business and an injunction prohibiting the defendants from illegally selling any pharmaceutical products as well as operating any business that manufactures, sells or stores commonly counterfeited goods. The defendants could also face up to $2,500 in penalties for each violation. “My office and our law enforcement partners will fight to protect consumers from the health and safety hazards posed by illegal pharmaceuticals,” Feuer said in a statement. “We’ll continue to aggressively prosecute people who dispense these drugs that endanger communities throughout Los Angeles.” The lawsuit stems from a crackdown operation coordinated through the Health Authority Law Enforcement Taskforce that targets distributors and sellers of illegal pharmaceuticals at swap meets and small local stores.