Texas couple sentenced for selling smuggled veterinary drugs and pesticides

A Garland, Texas, couple has been sentenced in federal court for operating a website that sold veterinary drugs and pesticides smuggled into the US from Mexico, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced September 8.¹ Thao Duong was sentenced to 3 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and forfeiture of more than $1.5 million. Her husband, Lam Mai, was sentenced to 2 years of probation.¹

According to filings and evidence presented in court, Duong began selling animal care products through online platforms in approximately 2011, primarily to customers engaged in rooster fighting ventures. She was not a veterinarian and did not require customers to provide veterinary prescriptions for the veterinary drugs she sold, according to the DOJ.¹

Duong sold products including Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, and Caterrol, which were produced in Mexico and not approved by the FDA for use in the US. In 2017, she added the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz to her inventory; neither was registered with the EPA for sale or use in the US.¹

In 2018, Duong launched a website that became her primary means of selling and distributing the veterinary drugs and pesticides. She then entered into agreements with co-conspirators to purchase products she knew had been smuggled into the country from Mexico.¹

The smuggled products entered the US through the Calexico Port of Entry in Imperial County, California, and were placed in storage units near the border before being shipped to Texas. Between 2018 and 2022, Duong obtained approximately $2.4 million worth of smuggled merchandise from her co-conspirators.¹

Mai served as the website's shipping manager. After orders were received, he packaged the veterinary drugs and pesticides and distributed them to customers nationwide through the US Postal Service and other shippers.

Duong pleaded guilty in January 2026 to conspiring to smuggle and sell unregistered pesticides and misbranded veterinary drugs; Mai pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell unregistered pesticides and misbranded veterinary drugs.² Both were sentenced September 8.¹

Amitraz toxicity cited by EPA

According to the EPA, the active ingredient in Taktic and Bovitraz is amitraz, which is toxic to bees if released into hives and can ultimately reach humans through contaminated honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Misuse of amitraz-containing products in beehives can result in exposures that could cause neurological and possibly reproductive effects in humans who consume contaminated honey. Signs of neurotoxicity from amitraz exposure have been documented in multiple animal species and include central nervous system depression, decreased pulse rate, and hypothermia.¹

Federal agencies emphasize public health and border security

"No one should profit from bringing illegal chemicals into the United States and poisoning American communities," said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall of the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Illegal Mexican pesticides and animal steroids are a dangerous combination. The sentence in this case underscores the importance of the cooperative efforts of federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt smuggling operations and secure our nation's borders from foreign harm."¹

"The FDA is charged with ensuring that veterinary drugs meet rigorous safety standards. When individuals smuggle and distribute misbranded and unapproved veterinary drugs, they jeopardize the health of animals," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Lamb of the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office. "We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who distribute misbranded and unapproved animal drugs unlawfully."¹

References

1. Texas couple sentenced for operating website selling smuggled pesticides and veterinary drugs. News release. US Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. September 8, 2026. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-couple-sentenced-operating-website-selling-smuggled-pesticides-and-veterinary-drugs
2. Texas couple pleads guilty to operating website selling smuggled pesticides and veterinary drugs. News release. US Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. January 20, 2026. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-couple-pleads-guilty-operating-website-selling-smuggled-pesticides-and-veterinary