Justice Department Indicts FedEx in a Drug-Shipping Inquiry

FedEx, the world's second-largest package-delivery company, was recently indicted in connection with a Justice Department investigation into illegal pharmaceutical shipments, according to a person with knowledge of the government's long-running investigation.

The case focuses on whether FedEx had appropriate safeguards to prevent online pharmacies from shipping drugs without prescriptions. The No. 1 shipper, UPS, paid $40 million last year as part of a settlement to avoid charges in the same investigation. The FedEx indictment was announced in California by the Justice Department.

A message seeking comment was left at FedEx's headquarters in Memphis.