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Claremont woman, son indicted in cough syrup ring

A Claremont mother and son are among four people named in a federal indictment alleging they operated a money laundering scheme related to the distribution of a powerful cough syrup nicknamed "purple drank." A trial is set to begin Nov. 29 for Lucita Uy, 70, and her 42-year-old son, Lemuel Libunao, both of Claremont, in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, according to a statement Friday from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. Two other defendants in the case, both from Texas, appeared Friday in U.S. District Court in Houston. Court documents allege the scheme generated nearly $10million and that the defendants lived a generous lifestyle with ownership of several properties, vehicles and luxury watches, including a Rolex trimmed with diamonds, say federal prosecutors. "Purple drank" is a street name for promethazine, a cough syrup that federal authorities say can cause death when combined with alcohol. The drug is also known as "purple liquid" or "lean," the latter name coming from the abuser's difficulty to stand up straight after indulging. Court documents allege Uy acquired three pharmacies - in Santa Ana, Long Beach and Buena Park - so she could obtain promethazine from wholesale distributors. From September 2004 to July 2008, Uy allegedly spent more than $1.1 million to purchase nearly 100,000 pints of promethazine. After buying the narcotic, Uy allegedly shipped it to Texas. A one-pint bottle of promethazine can cost $9 at the wholesale level but can sell for as much as $600 on the streets of Houston, authorities said. The indictment alleges the two Texas defendants in the case, Christopher Lamont Crawford, 38, and Kendra Patrice Manigault, 44, both of Houston, received the cough syrup from Uy, distributed it and then gave the Claremont woman the proceeds from the sales. Uy, with Libunao and Crawford, deposited more than $6.9 million in cash and more than $2.7 million in money orders into bank accounts, federal prosecutors say. IRS agents also are seeking forfeiture of property allegedly obtained with the illegal proceeds. The property to be forfeited includes $64,500 in cash, seven properties located in Monrovia, Claremont and Houston, a 2007 Mercedes Benz S550, a 2007 Honda CRV, a 2007 Toyota Tundra and 11 luxury watches. "The allegations against Uy and her co-conspirators indicate they intended to enrich themselves by engaging in conduct that put the lives of others at risk," said Leslie P. DeMarco, special agent in charge at IRS-Criminal Investigations. "One of the government's most powerful weapons is the ability to seize through asset forfeiture the property obtained through this illegal distribution scheme, including real estate, cash, vehicles and jewelry," DeMarco continued. "By taking away their assets and profits, we deprive them of the proceeds of their criminal activity." If convicted of the charges, Uy and Libunao could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison, while Crawford and Manigault could each face up to 20 years in prison.