By The newspaper
Jan 31, 2024, 18:49 PM EST
eBay has agreed to pay $59 million to resolve allegations that it facilitated the sale of equipment used in the illegal manufacturing of drugs.
The US Department of Justice accused eBay of selling thousands of pill presses and encapsulation machines on its platform, some of which went to people subsequently convicted of drug crimes, according to a US Justice Department document. USA.
These devices can be used to create counterfeit pills, including those containing the deadly opioid fentanyl. eBay’s failure to comply with the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which requires strict record-keeping and reporting to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), was a focus of federal prosecutors’ charges.
This agreement comes amid the growing opioid crisis in the United States, highlighting the urgent need for stricter controls on such sales.
Furthermore, it is not the only payment that the company has had to make lately; eBay agreed in early January to pay a $3 million criminal fine for a stalking and harassment case involving a Massachusetts couple, Ina and David Steiner.
eBay’s response to the $59 million deal
While eBay has denied the allegations, the e-commerce giant opted to settle to avoid the costs of litigation. As part of the agreement, eBay has committed to implementing stricter measures to ensure compliance with the CSA.
The company emphasized its dedication to maintaining a safe and reliable market as a fundamental business principle, as mentioned by the BBC in an article.
The sale of this type of drug manufacturing equipment has far-reaching consequences. The US government investigation revealed that many customers who purchased pill presses also purchased materials to make counterfeit pharmaceutical pills.
This illegal activity contributes significantly to the current opioid crisis. For example, drug overdoses, primarily due to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, claimed more than 110,000 lives in the United States in 2022.
Opioid crisis in the United States
The seriousness of the problem is underscored by actions such as the city of Portland declaring a state of emergency over rampant fentanyl use.
The opioid crisis in the United States, which has intensified over the past two decades, represents one of the most serious public health emergencies in the country’s recent history.
This crisis is characterized by overuse and addiction to opioids, including prescription pain medications such as oxycodone and fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs such as heroin.
The origin of this epidemic dates back to the late 1990s, when the prescribing of opioid painkillers increased, driven in part by aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies.
These companies minimized the risks of addiction, leading to widespread use and, eventually, a significant increase in addiction and overdoses. The consequences have been devastating: a dramatic increase in overdose deaths, shattered families, and a significant economic impact due to health care costs and lost productivity.
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· eBay to pay $3 million in harassment case involving Massachusetts couple