Fighting to Stop Illegal Internet Drug Sales

Toward the end of the twentieth century, the United States and Thailand tackled the international problem of illegal Internet drug sales. A United Nations (U.N.) board also called for action.

The federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) worked with officials in Thailand to shut down three online pharmacies that illegally sold substances containing controlled drugs such as phentermine, a diet pill. Internet shopping is legal. However, under federal law, a prescription is needed to buy controlled drugs.

The Internet pharmacies sold drugs without a prescription and sent most of their products to the United States. Authorities in the United States became aware of the trafficking because packages and letters containing illegal drugs constantly arrived from Thailand. Drug addicts accounted for many of the customers.

With authorities from both countries working together, Thai officials shut down three Internet...