As if the real stuff weren’t bad enough.
Eleven people have been indicted on federal charges of selling counterfeit 5-Hour Energy drinks.
The defendants, from California and Mexico, allegedly raked in more than $11 million from 2009 to 2012 as they repackaged and sold more than 350,000 bottles of the pocket-sized elixir.
The fake drinks were found to be different in color from the originals, with a funny smell and sugar — which is not featured in the authentic product.
Joseph Shayota and Adriana Shayota, working alongside nine others through their company Baja Exporting LLC, had a deal with Living Essentials — the company that produces 5-Hour Energy — to distribute the product in Mexico, officials said. But they apparently found it more profitable to sell the fakes.