“a controlled substance which, or the container or labeling of which, without authorization, bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, number, or device, or any likeness thereof, of a manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser, other than the person who in fact manufactured, distributed, or dispensed the substance.”
Counterfeit controlled substances are sometimes simply stolen counterfeit substances that have been repackaged with another supplier’s name. Often they are legitimate drugs that have passed their expiration date. But sometimes they are simply cheap copies, which may or may not contain the actual substance they purport to be. Pfizer, for instance, has analyzed counterfeit Viagra pills and found that some contain chalk, paint, brick dust and even human fetuses. When this occurs, it may also violate 18-18-422 C.R.S., Colorado’s law on imitation drugs.What does Colorado’s counterfeit drug law prohibit?
18-18-423 C.R.S. makes it illegal for any person knowingly or intentionally to:- Manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, a counterfeit controlled substance, or
- Make, distribute, or possess a punch, die, plate, stone, or other thing designed to print, imprint, or reproduce the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, or device of another or any likeness of any of the foregoing upon any drug or container or labeling thereof.
Penalties for violating Colorado’s law on counterfeit drugs
Violation of 18-18-423 C.R.S. is a Colorado level 3 drug felony. Consequences of manufacturing or selling a counterfeit controlled substance can include:- 2-4 years in prison (with 1-year mandatory parole), and/or
- A fine of $2,000-$500,000.
Colorado counterfeit drug defenses
The best defense to Colorado counterfeit drug charges depends on the facts of your case. However common defenses often include (but are not limited to):- The substance wasn’t a controlled substance,
- You didn’t know you possessed the drugs (or the dies, plates or stones),
- You reasonably believed you were manufacturing a legal product, or
- The drugs or plates were discovered during an illegal search and seizure which violated your Fourth Amendment rights.
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