An Alabama man pleaded guilty in federal court in Buffalo Wednesday after admitting he helped re-ship controlled prescription drugs that were ordered through online pharmacy websites operating domestically and abroad, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York announced.
Leeladhar H. Tandel, 44, of Mobile, Alabama, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances. The offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the scheme operated through online storefronts including MEDDZONLINE.COM and PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com. According to the release, the trafficking organization shipped bulk quantities of pills internationally to a U.S.-based bulk re‑shipper; those shipments were then distributed to smaller re‑shippers around the country who mailed packages to customers. Tandel was identified as one of the smaller re‑shippers in the network.
Investigators say the conspiracy ran from mid‑2024 into 2025 and involved controlled substances including tapentadol, alprazolam, clonazepam, carisoprodol and zolpidem. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Buffalo District Office conducted an undercover purchase on June 6, 2024, buying 60 zolpidem pills from PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com for $489.60, the release states.
Law enforcement later recovered 40 parcels that originated in Summerdale, Alabama and had been mailed by Tandel. Those parcels allegedly contained approximately 1,620 suspected tramadol pills; 2,100 suspected zolpidem pills; 2,100 suspected alprazolam pills; and 1,080 suspected tapentadol pills, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Labels on recovered packages showed shipments addressed to customers across the United States.
The plea resulted from an investigation led by the DEA under the direction of Special Agent‑in‑Charge Farhana Islam (New York Field Division), with assistance from DEA offices in St. Louis, Atlanta and Mobile. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The U.S. Attorney’s Office described the matter as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative operating in the Buffalo area and involving multiple federal agencies.
Tandel is scheduled to be sentenced on October 8, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
