Thousands of fake Viagra and Cialis pills found in US bust

It’s apparently one of the biggest counterfeit busts in recent history. 

Authorities arrested 54-year-old Awni Zayyad. The Wilson, North Carolina resident is accused of trafficking over a thousand fake Viagra and Cialis pills.

“My first reaction when I hear that is, ‘If it’s fake, what is it?’ You have absolutely no clue what could be in these drugs,” says Charles Odell, with the Dilworth Centre for Chemical Dependency.

Odell says he often sees overdoes from fake drugs.

“When you're taking a drug off the street that is a bootleg or fake drug, then you're completely on your own without any assistance from a physician,” he adds.

Agent Delbert Richburg heads up Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Charlotte.

Richburg says the Charlotte area has seen its fair share of counterfeit items from health products, to consumer goods.

“These are some counterfeit Apple products, iPods, and again, you look at this iPod and it doesn't have the Apple, doesn't have the Apple mark on it,” Richburg explains.

Not surprisingly, the Internet has given rise to all sorts of counterfeit merchandise. ICE shut down over 82 websites on Cyber Monday.

“Unfortunately, you might spend $50 or $100 on a typical item that lasts for 30 days before it starts, the stitches come out and it starts to deteriorate,” he says.

Nationally, ICE confiscated over $200 Million in counterfeit items in 2009. $30 Million from health products alone. 

“At the very least it could cause serious health affects, worst it could possibly take your life,” Richburg says.

Officials say Thursday’s bust proves counterfeit items are not only low quality, but can also be risky to your health.