Social Media Influencer Arrested for Selling Tainted Weight Loss Drugs on TikTok
A Long Island woman’s attempt to become a social media influencer has taken a dark turn as federal prosecutors have arrested her for allegedly selling tainted and misbranded weight loss drugs on TikTok. Isis Navarro Reyes, also known as Beraly Navarro, is accused of illegally peddling prescription medications, including Ozempic, that she obtained from Central and South America.
Reyes reportedly used TikTok to promote the drugs, urging viewers to contact her via an encrypted messaging app to make purchases. One victim who bought Mesofrance injections from Reyes ended up with a serious infection after self-administering the medication. The New York Department of Health confirmed that the drug was contaminated with a dangerous bacteria.
In a sting operation, an undercover officer reached out to Reyes to purchase Ozempic, a popular weight loss drug. Reyes allegedly sent the officer a package containing what appeared to be Ozempic, but the labeling was in Spanish and violated FDA regulations. As a result, Reyes has been arrested on charges of smuggling, dispensing prescription drugs without prescriptions, and conspiracy to introduce misbranded drugs in interstate commerce.
U.S. District Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the seriousness of Reyes’ actions, stating that her illegal dispensing of these drugs caused significant harm to victims. With the rise in public interest in weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Williams warned criminals against taking advantage of this trend. If found guilty, Reyes could face up to 25 years in prison for her crimes. This case serves as a reminder of the dangers of buying prescription medications from unauthorized sources, especially on social media platforms.