Americans arrested for selling fake COVID-19 cure

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Colombian officials said on Tuesday that two fugitives from Florida were arrested for unauthorized selling of bleach-like chemicals they claimed as COVID-19 medicine.
• A federal complaint was filed against the Grenon family last month. They were charged with conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and criminal contempt.
• About seven Americans have already died because of ingesting the bleaching chemical, Colombian officials said.

Two fugitive men from Florida, USA were arrested over a crime of illegal selling of bleach-like chemicals they showcased as a miracle treatment for COVID-19 and other diseases, Colombian officials said.

On Tuesday, the Colombian prosecutor’s office said Mark and Joseph Grenon, who were wanted in the United States, were arrested in the beach town of Santa Marta. They were found shipping their “Miracle Mineral Solution” to clients in Colombia as well as in the US and Africa.

Based in Bradenton, Florida, Mark Grenon, 62, is the archbishop of the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing. Making use of the harmful chemical as a supposed sacrament, Grenon’s church claimed that it can cure various types of illnesses ━ from autism to malaria to cancer and now COVID-19.

In April, a Miami federal judge ordered the church to stop selling the chemicals but it did not comply.

In July, a federal criminal complaint was filed against Mark Grenon and his sons, Jonathan (34), Jordan (26), and Joseph (32), for conspiracy to defraud the US, conspiracy to violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and criminal contempt.

Should they get convicted, the Grenons would face maximum jail time of about 14 to more than 17 years. Based on Miami’s federal court records last month, no lawyers were listed for any of the family members.

The church also operated in Australia, Mexico, and other countries. Even with strong objections from medical professionals, the country of Bolivia has recently authorized the use of the substance.

In its statement, the federal complaint said that the Grenons initially agreed to follow the order of US District Judge Kathleen Williams to refrain from selling the solution. However, the family deviated and changed their stance.

“We will NOT be participating in any of your UNCONSTITUTIONAL Orders, Summons, etc… Again and again I have written you all that . . . you have NO authority over our Church,” Mark Grenon said in his email to Judge Williams.

When ingested, the solution being sold by the Grenons becomes a bleach, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

In a news release, the FDA said that “ingesting these products is the same as drinking bleach. Consumers should not use these products, and parents should not give these products to their children for any reason.”

Such substance is typically used for cleaning and sanitation purposes. Authorities said that drinking bleach is harmful to humans.

Colombian officials said that about seven Americans died because of drinking the substance.

Source: AOL.com