They called it Boom! and marketed it online as an herbal supplement used to enhance sexual performance - one that was less expensive and “probably far safer” than prescription Viagra. But the two New Jersey men who sold Boom! in the US and around the world never mentioned the formula contained the active ingredient of Viagra, according to federal authorities in Manhattan, who arrested the men yesterday.

Tibor Liska, 47, and Blake Bohinc, 50, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan said. They are scheduled to appear in federal court today, reports The Star-Ledger of New Jersey (which owns Pharmalot). From early 2006 to earlier this month, the men marketed the supplement without informing customers it contained sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, the prosecutor’s office said. The web site, however, does have some steamy pictures.

The pair sold their product through a company called Yoi Jin Sei LLC, after importing the ingredient from China and hiring two companies in New Paltz, N.Y., to mix the drug with chocolate powder and other substances, and package it. One firm made about 12,000 packets a month, according to a criminal complaint. The web site lists one dose for $5, but five doses for $17.50. The site, which implores visitors to “discover the power of a natural aphrodisiac,” claims the packets contain yohimbe, ginseng, deer velvet and other herbal extracts.

As part of the FBI investigation, a representative from Pfizer, which makes Viagra, purchased Boom! and determined it contained the active ingredient in their trademarked product. Pfizer also determined Boom! is being distributed through Web sites in England, Russia, Argentina, Japan and elsewhere, the criminal complaint said. When a confidential informant called the men about the case Friday and told them the FBI was asking questions, Liska instructed him, “Tell them you don’t know about it,” the criminal complaint said.

Source: The Star-Ledger