Sook Lan Wong and Kwok Wun Lee appeared before U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, and denied the charges of conspiracy, trafficking in counterfeit goods, introducing misbranded drugs in interstate commerce, and receipt and delivery of misbranded drugs.
The prosecution and the defense did not object to the U.S. Probation Office’s recommendation for the defendants’ pretrial release.
The court allowed each of the defendants to issue a $25,000 unsecured bond.
Manglona scheduled defendants’ jury trial for Dec. 27, 2011.
Attorney Stephen Nutting represents Sook Lan Wong and made a special appearance for Kwok Kwun Lee for the arraignment.
The court ruled that Kwok Kwun Lee did not qualify for a court-appointed defense attorney.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth Backe represented the government.
U.S. Homeland Security Investigations special agent Isra Harahap also appeared during the arraignment.
According to the indictment filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric S. O’Malley on Oct. 20, 2011, the conspiracy occurred beginning on or about Feb. 15, 2011, and continuing to on or about Feb. 28, 2011.
On Feb. 15, 2011, Sook Lan Wong sold one bottle containing 30 pills of counterfeit Viagra to a cooperating source.
On Feb. 28, 2011, the indictment said, one of the conspirators placed an order for 30 bottles of counterfeit Viagra, and asked that it be delivered to the conspirators’ place of business.
Later that same day, Sook Lan Wong placed a telephone call to a cooperating source, and informed him that the pills were available for pick-up.
Later that evening, Kwok Kwun Lee delivered 30 bottles, containing 30 pills each, of counterfeit Viagra to undercover agents.
