Alleged Viagra smuggler Kil Jun Lee released on bail, accused of smuggling 40,000 tablets
A police officer shows fake Viagra that was seized in raids at a press conference in Beijing in September 2005.
An aging ex-cop from South Korea was released on $10,000 bail in Los Angeles today after being arrested on suspicion of carrying almost 40,000 fake impotence tablets in his luggage, according to The Associated Press.
The news agency said Lee Kil-jun, 71, had been arrested Wednesday at his Los Angeles apartment on charges of trafficking in counterfeit drugs.
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Citing US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the AP said Kil had been returning from a trip to South Korea on Feb 25 when officials at Los Angeles International Airport allegedly found counterfeit Viagra, Cialis and Levitra pills in his bags. A preliminary hearing is set for March 28 in US District Court.
According to The Los Angeles Times, Lee was allegedly carrying 29,827 counterfeit Viagra tablets, 8,993 counterfeit Cialis pills and 793 counterfeit Levitra pills in a golf bag.
Citing a criminal complaint, The Times also reported that Lee had wrapped the tablets in aluminum foil.
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Asked if the tablets were for personal use, Lee reportedly said he had a heart condition and that using so many could kill hm, The Times said.
The cops allege that Lee "did not believe the pills were genuine," and said he "he was sorry" for bringing the pills and "will not do it again."
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