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Two Indian nationals indicted over counterfeit Ozempic smuggling scheme

The US Justice Department says two Indian nationals were indicted for allegedly smuggling counterfeit Ozempic from China and selling it to US distributors. One was extradited from Italy; the other is at large.

3 outlets · 2L · 0C · 1R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from The Hindu.

Image: CBS News
Image: The Straits Times
Image: The Hindu

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The story, neutrally told

Two Indian nationals, Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha, have been indicted for allegedly smuggling and selling counterfeit Ozempic, the Justice Department said on 29 September. Roy was extradited from Italy, while Ramancha remains at large. Reuters copy carried by the Straits Times and The Hindu says Roy pleaded not guilty; CBS says his lawyers declined to comment.

Prosecutors allege the scheme ran from July 2023 to April 2024, with counterfeit Ozempic obtained in China and sold to US distributors at discounted prices. The product allegedly had fake packaging, inserts and labels meant to convince buyers it was genuine. The charges include conspiracy to commit smuggling and to defraud the US, smuggling, and selling counterfeit drugs, carrying a maximum of 71 years in prison.

The Justice Department said the scheme continued after the FDA seized some of the counterfeit drug in December 2023 and issued a public warning. CBS adds that the indictment was filed in the Middle District of Florida in 2025, that Ramancha allegedly facilitated delivery of about 11,000 units to an Ohio warehouse in March 2024, and that the pair allegedly threatened people involved in distribution. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Criminal Division said the department will keep pursuing anyone who deceives consumers with counterfeit drugs.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left2 outlets

Framing
CBS gives the fullest account, centred on court filings and the health risk of counterfeits; The Hindu runs the short Reuters version with an Indian-nationals angle.
Emphasis
CBS stresses FDA warnings, the indictment's quoted messages, the Ohio shipment and threats; The Hindu stresses the dates and the Justice Department statement.
Leaves out or plays down
The Hindu omits the Florida venue, the Ohio shipment and the alleged threats that CBS reports. CBS does not say Roy pleaded not guilty.
Charged language
“hazardous counterfeits”
For example
“The FDA has warned that hazardous counterfeits are on the rise and pose serious health risks.” — CBS News
“Between July 2023 and April 2024, Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha allegedly obtained counterfeit Ozempic in China” — The Hindu

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right1 outlet

Framing
The Straits Times runs a brief Reuters wire report, attributing the case to the US Justice Department.
Emphasis
Cost of the drug to patients and that the scheme continued after the FDA seizure.
Leaves out or plays down
Leaves out the Florida venue, the Ohio shipment, the alleged threats and the Justice Department official's quote.
For example
“The popular weight-loss drug can cost hundreds of dollars per month for patients.” — The Straits Times