SAN DIEGO : ‘Fountain of Youth’ Drug Ring Is Busted

Four people pleaded guilty to smuggling more than 15 tons of “fountain of youth” drugs that were distributed in the black market throughout the United States, federal prosecutors said Tuesday in San Diego.

The ring was led by David M. Halpern, 38, of Pebble Beach, and included his mother, Frances, 65, of San Diego. David Halpern’s sister, Fran Wellgood, 37, and his brother-in-law, Edward Sollisch, 62, both of Little River, Calif., also pleaded guilty.

Each defendant pleaded guilty to three smuggling counts.

According to the U.S. attorney’s office, David Halpern claimed the unapproved drugs cured everything from depression to rheumatoid arthritis. The drugs were illegally imported from Germany and England and were distributed at health food stores, gyms and by chiropractors.