'Dangerous' fake Botox seized in Indianapolis

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at an Indianapolis express consignment facility in the US seized four packages of counterfeit Botox vials which would have been worth around $8,500 at manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP).

Of the four shipments, three were coming from the same shipper in GB, while the fourth shipment was arriving from Indonesia. The packages were marked up as "marketing product samples" and "cosmetic preparations" and were destined for addresses in Michigan, New Jersey and California.

The packages contained 14 glass Botox vials (100 units), 1 glass Botox vial (200 units) and 1 glass vial (500 units) of another botulinum toxin product called Dysport.

The genuine products – sold by AbbVie and Ipsen, respectively – are both approved to reduce the signs of facial wrinkles as well as other medical indications.

"These drugs can be expensive and hard to acquire in many locations, but cheap prices are not always the safest, especially when it comes to your health and well-being," said LaFonda Sutton-Burke, director of field operations at CBP's Chicago Field Office.

Botulinum toxin products are restricted by the FDA and cannot be imported into the US without proper documentation.

"Unapproved products that you inject could seriously hurt you," commented Melvin Dennis, Indianapolis, acting port director. "They are manufactured in unregulated and unsanitary facilities with ingredients that you cannot be sure are authentic."