Cranston Man Pleads Guilty to Drug, Steroid Distribution Conspiracy

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TweetPatrick Cunningham of Cranston was one of two men who pleaded guilty to participation in an international prescription drug and steroid importation conspiracy. He has been linked to similar activities going back to at least 2009.

Two Rhode Island men have pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Providence to participating in an international conspiracy to illegally import and distribute prescription drugs and anabolic steroids.
Edmond Paolucci, 54, of Coventry, and Patrick Cunningham, 44, of Cranston, admitted to the court that they participated in a conspiracy to repackage the illegal drugs and sell them under various names and labels to consumers who placed orders via the Internet. A significant portion of the proceeds realized from the sale of the illegal drugs was laundered back to individuals in Israel.
Paolucci and Cunningham’s guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Mark Dragonetti, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigation.
According to information presented to the court, an investigation by the Rhode Island FDA Task Force revealed that from at least November 2009 until November 2011, Paolucci served as a U.S. confederate of an Israeli-based, international drug distribution ring that was also responsible for the manufacture and sale of prescription drugs, including drugs bearing the underground brand names Sciroxx and Xsorox in the United States and elsewhere.
Court records show various misbranded prescription drugs as well as bulk quantities of pills and injectable oil-based drugs in 650 ml. jugs were shipped from Israel, Turkey and Bulgaria to postal boxes in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Through his co-conspirators in Rhode Island, including Patrick Cunningham, Mr. Paolucci used an underground laboratory to repackage the drugs into retail-size pill packets and 10 ml vials, bearing Sciroxx and Xsorox labels that he then shipped to customers in the United States who had made purchases on websites operated by Mr. Paolucci and his Israeli co-conspirators. A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale of the misbranded and mislabeled drugs was sent back to co-conspirators in Israel.
Court authorized searches of Paolucci and Cunningham’s residences resulted in the seizure of a large amount of paraphernalia related to the manufacture and distribution of steroids. Agents also found various non-controlled and controlled drugs including 10 ml vials labeled as containing the anabolic steroids Testosterone, Enanthate, Boldenone, and Trenbolone.
Records obtained from money transfer service companies showed that from Feb. 2009 to Sept. 2011, Mr. Paolucci transferred in excess of $76,000 in proceeds from steroid and prescription drug sales to individuals in Israel.
Edmond Paolucci pleaded guilty on Nov. 28, 2012, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute steroids, possession with the intent to distribute steroids, distribution of a misbranded drug, and money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on Apr. 9, 2013.
Patrick Cunningham pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count each conspiracy to distribute steroids and distribution of a misbranded drug. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. on May 28, 2013.
Conspiracy to distribute steroids and possession with the intent to distribute steroids is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison; a fine up to $500,000; and a term of supervised release of 2 years to life. Distribution of a misbranded drug and money laundering is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 3 years in federal prison; a fine of up to $10,000; and a term of supervised release of 2 years.

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