The owners and operators of 10 businesses were charged on Oct. 23 in federal court with illegally selling cosmetic contact lenses without prescriptions. Some of the products purchased during an investigation dubbed “Operation Fright Night” were contaminated with dangerous pathogens that can cause eye injury, blindness and loss of an eye. The lenses are popular during the Halloween season but are sold in some stores all year, according to authorities.

The store operators are charged with selling “misbranded” contact lenses, which is a misdemeanor. The products that were allegedly illegally sold were marketed as Halloween and beauty accessories under names such as Wonder Look, Red Rose, Black & White, Beauty World and Crazy Eagle.

“These products pose a serious danger to unsuspecting Halloween shoppers, and those who have already purchased these products should not use them,” said United States Attorney Eileen M. Decker. “As required by the law, contact lenses should be used only when they are prescribed by a knowledgeable medical professional.”

The defendants include Rezvan Moazzez, 69, also known as Ron Moazzez, who owns Hollywood Toys & Costumes, Inc. Also charged are Farshid Ben Cohen, 53, owner Arianna Beauty, Inc. in downtown Los Angeles; Alex Mario Collantes Marxelly, 40, of San Bernardino, owner of Zebra Accessories; Kathy Hwang, 51, of Chino Hills, doing business as Fashion 20 in La Puente; Sin Young Yi, 59, owner of Yi’s Accessories in La Puente; and Susie Shin, 52, owner of My Treasure in Buena Park. Additionally, charges were filed against Dong Ki Min, 51, who is doing business as Hairitage Beauty Supply in San Bernardino; Jeong J. Park, also known as Sarah Park, 55, who is doing business as Fashion 4-U, Inc. in Garden Grove; La Moda XVII, Inc., which is doing business as Fashion Q in Baldwin Park; and Kyung Sook Jung, owner of NXT.G Corporation, who is doing business as Zzotta Shoes in Ventura.

Contact lenses – whether corrective, cosmetic or decorative – are considered prescription medical devices subject to FDA regulations. Due to the risk of injury, blindness and possible eye infection, all contact lenses require prescriptions from medical professionals who can provide guidance on their proper care and maintenance.

The investigation was conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Import Operations Branch in Los Angeles; the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations; the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Division of Investigation and Health Quality Investigation. For information, visit www.cdph.ca.gov and www.fda.gov.