Meta Platforms Investigated over Alleged Illegal Drug Sales

In 2023, US Federal prosecutors launched a criminal investigation accusing Meta Platforms Inc, along with Instagram and Facebook, under suspicion for allegedly facilitating and profiting from illegally dealing weed and other drugs, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Based on information cited from documents and sources close to this matter, WSJ stated that as part of the proceedings, interviews and subpoenas were conducted before the grand jury.

As explained by WSJ, the grand jury’s role is to determine if Meta is facilitating the process of illegal drug sales and benefiting from it, thus should be held responsible. It asserted that it has seen subpoenas issued in 2023.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supports federal investigation as well, according to the newspaper.

However, a spokesperson from Meta told WSJ that the act of selling illegal medicines is against the policies ruled in the company, adding that it is taking the necessary measures to look for such content to remove it from its services.

Meta spokesperson further added that Meta is actively collaborating with law officers to fight the illegal sale and distribution of medicines.

In parallel, and according to data provided by the U.S Centres of Disease Control and Prevention, more than 700,000 people died between 1999 and 2022 in the United States due to overdose-related deaths linked to the consumption of opioids obtained by prescription or illegally.

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