Garland, TX – A couple from Texas has admitted guilt in a conspiracy to smuggle and sell unregistered pesticides and misbranded veterinary drugs, as announced by federal authorities.
Thao Duong, 38, from Garland, confessed to conspiracy charges related to the smuggling and sale of these illegal products, while her husband, Lam Mai, 40, acknowledged his role in the conspiracy to sell unregistered pesticides and misbranded veterinary drugs. Together, they ran a website that facilitated the sale of products smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico. Sentencing is set for June 9.
Since around 2011, Duong has been selling veterinary drugs and pesticides mainly used in rooster fighting. She was not a licensed veterinarian and did not require prescriptions for these drugs. The products she sold included Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, Caterrol, Taktic, and Bovitraz, all of which are not approved by the FDA or registered with the EPA for sale in the United States.
In 2018, Duong created a specialized website to market these illegal products across the country and worked with co-conspirators to import them from Mexico. The products entered the U.S. through the Calexico Port of Entry in Imperial County, California, were stored in nearby facilities, and then shipped to Texas. From 2018 to 2022, Duong acquired around $2.4 million worth of smuggled goods. Lam Mai was responsible for managing the shipping and packaging of products for delivery via the U.S. Postal Service and other carriers.
Federal authorities have cautioned that the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz, which contain the chemical amitraz, are extremely toxic to bees and can lead to contamination of honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Exposure to amitraz can result in neurological and reproductive issues in humans, as well as central nervous system depression, reduced pulse rate, and hypothermia in animals.
“This guilty plea underscores the dangers of smuggling prohibited and misbranded products into the United States,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We will continue to prosecute those who endanger public health and flout customs laws.”
Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance added, “Illegal Mexican pesticides and animal steroids are a toxic combination. This case highlights the importance of cooperative enforcement efforts to protect communities from harm.”
