South Carolina Brothers Plead Guilty to Counterfeiting Viagra
Two brothers from Summerville, South Carolina, have admitted to their involvement in a large-scale counterfeit drug operation. Ibrahim Shedid, 29, and his older brother Ahmed Shedid, 35, faced a federal court on October 30, 2024, where they pleaded guilty to charges related to the trafficking of fake Viagra pills.
The brothers reportedly ran a scheme that involved selling counterfeit pills, often referred to as the “little blue pill,” with a total value exceeding $35 million. Prosecutors claim that Ibrahim Shedid operated a business named Big Boss Puff Stuff, while Ahmed ran A2Z Warehouse. Together, they used both businesses to distribute these counterfeit medications to convenience stores.
In January 2024, law enforcement authorities intercepted a delivery containing nineteen bottles of counterfeit Viagra that was heading to Big Boss Puff Stuff. Additional fake Viagra was discovered in a storage unit linked to the brothers.
Both Ibrahim and Ahmed Shedid now face a maximum of five years in federal prison as well as potential fines of up to $250,000. After serving their sentences, they may also be required to undergo three years of supervision. It is important to note that parole is not available in the federal system.
U.S. District Court Judge Bruce H. Hendricks accepted their guilty pleas and will determine their final sentences after reviewing a report from the U.S. Probation Office.
The investigation into this operation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is handling the prosecution.
This case highlights the serious issue of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the potential risks they pose to public health.
