The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) arrested Cuban Yanelys Fundora Acebo this Tuesday, owner of the medical spa "X Lash by Yane", located in southwestern Miami-Dade, for allegedly distributing controlled medications for weight loss illegally.
The group included lollipops with phentermine and medications containing active ingredients from popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
The arrest of the 44-year-old Cuban woman was the result of a months-long undercover operation, which involved the purchase of these products without a prescription, surveillance of the business, and the collection of evidence, including the accused's activity on social media.
Undercover investigation and acquisition of over-the-counter medications
The investigation began after receiving reports regarding the illegal sale and distribution of medications from "X Lash by Yane," an aesthetic center located at 9638 SW 72nd St., in Sunset, an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County.
According to court documents, undercover agents visited the establishment on several occasions and managed to purchase "lollipops containing phentermine" without needing to show identification or a medical prescription.
Phentermine is a regulated medication that belongs to Schedule IV of controlled substances due to its potential for abuse and dependence.
In addition to the lollipops, the agents detected the sale of products containing semaglutide and tirzepatide, active ingredients of medications approved only under prescription such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound.
According to the police report, on September 27 of last year, an undercover officer purchased three lollipops containing phentermine, which were seized and sent to the MDSO laboratory, where tests confirmed the presence of the controlled substance.
Later, on March 12 of this year, another agent purchased ten more lollipops, also without a prescription, for a total of 200 dollars.
During this last transaction, Fundora Acebo joked with the agent, telling him that "he should play the lottery because he asked for [10] lollipops and that was all he had left."
Sale of medications and self-promotion on social media
The detectives discovered that the promotion of the products was not limited to the physical establishment.
On the Instagram account of the business, "X Lash by Yane" -still active at the time of this reporting- treatments of semaglutide were being sold for $230 per month, along with the sale and shipping of these products to anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico.
"He boasted about selling weight loss products such as phentermine, tirzepatide, and semaglutide", states the police report.
The account also showed videos of Fundora Acebo "injecting" these medications and promoting the business as a reference center in Miami for weight loss.
Among the highlighted publications was a certificate issued by the Doral City Hall, recognizing Fundora Acebo as a "beauty and wellness entrepreneur," as well as a video of her appearance on a Spanish-language television program from a local network.
A spa that boasted record figures
The accused claimed to have achieved "the American dream" with her venture.
Fundora Acebo, who emigrated to the United States from Cuba at just 15 years old, stated on her social media that "X Lash by Yane" was "the top-selling medspa in Miami," claiming to have served "1.5 million patients in less than a year" with injectable weight loss treatments.
These types of claims, combined with active advertising on social media, caught the attention of the authorities, who determined that neither Fundora Acebo nor his company had the medical or pharmaceutical license required to dispense controlled medications.
After verifying with the Florida Department of Health, investigators confirmed that Fundora Acebo is only licensed as a massage therapist, which does not authorize her to prescribe or distribute medication.
Record, arrest, and charges filed
This Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at "X Lash by Yane," and after reading her Miranda rights, Fundora Acebo was arrested and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
The entrepreneur now faces multiple serious charges, including: practicing a health profession without a license; dispensing medication without a license; possession with the intent to sell a controlled substance.
Statements from the accused: "Everything was wrong."
In statements following his arrest, Fundora Acebo maintained his innocence before local media. "Everything was wrong, of course," he declared in Spanish to Local 10 News.
The accused was released on bail on Wednesday and must appear before the court in the coming days.
High-risk regulated medications
The medications that Fundora Acebo sold without medical supervision require a prescription due to their potential side effects and associated risks.
Phentermine, for example, is an appetite suppressant that can cause insomnia, hypertension, tachycardia, and dependence.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are medications approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and are also used in medical weight loss programs, under strict professional supervision.
Authorities have warned about the risks associated with the consumption of these types of substances without medical supervision, especially when they are distributed through informal networks and without health regulation.
The case is still under investigation to determine the extent of Fundora Acebo's operations, particularly whether there were shipments to other states or territories in the United States. Authorities do not rule out the possibility of new arrests related to the business.
From the MDSO, they reminded the public of the importance of avoiding the purchase of medications through unofficial channels and recommended always consulting authorized healthcare professionals for weight loss treatments.
Frequently asked questions about the arrest of Yanelys Fundora Acebo and the illegal sale of medications in Miami
Why was Yanelys Fundora Acebo, owner of the spa "X Lash by Yane" in Miami, arrested?
Yanelys Fundora Acebo was arrested by the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office for allegedly distributing controlled substances illegally, such as lollipops containing phentermine and products with semaglutide and tirzepatide, without the necessary medical or pharmaceutical license.
What are the risks of consuming medications like phentermine without medical supervision?
Consuming phentermine without medical supervision can have serious side effects, such as insomnia, hypertension, tachycardia, and dependence, due to its potential for abuse and the risks associated with its uncontrolled use.
What charges does Yanelys Fundora Acebo face after her arrest?
Yanelys Fundora Acebo faces multiple serious charges, including practicing a health profession without a license, dispensing medication without a license, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
How did "X Lash by Yane" operate to distribute these medications?
The spa "X Lash by Yane" not only sold medications at its physical location, but it also promoted and sold products through social media, shipping them to anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico, as authorities discovered.
What is the situation of the business "X Lash by Yane" following the arrest of its owner?
After the arrest of Yanelys Fundora Acebo, authorities conducted a search at "X Lash by Yane", and the business is under investigation to determine the extent of its illegal operations and to verify if there were shipments of medication to other states.
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