LA-area man guilty of moving illegal Chinese drug

By AP | September 10, 2012
LOS ANGELES (AP) Federal prosecutors say a Santa Fe Springs company and its president have pleaded guilty to illegally distributing a drug manufactured in China that contains human growth hormone.

U.S. attorney's spokesman Thom Mrozek says 50-year-old David Ji of Irvine pleaded guilty Monday to charges of illegally distributing a drug that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved for distribution.

The version of the drug distributed through DNP International Company, Inc., contained the human growth hormone somatropin.

Mrozek says Ji pleaded guilty to one felony count of distributing prescription drugs without a state license.

The company pleaded guilty to three charges, including felony illegal wholesale distribution of a prescription drug.

A sentencing hearing is slated for Dec. 10.

Ji faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.