UPS illegal drug deliveries of unlawful online pharmacies led for the company to pay $40 million to end a federal criminal investigation.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the Atlanta-based company agreed to "take steps" of blocking illicit online drug dealers from using its delivery service.

"We are pleased with the steps UPS has taken to stop the use of its shipping services by illegal online pharmacies. Good corporate citizens like UPS play an important role in halting the flow of illegal drugs that degrade our nation's communities (sic)," said U.S. Attorney Melinda Yaag in a release.

"The FDA is hopeful that the positive actions taken by UPS in this case will send a message to other shipping firms to put public health and safety above profits," Roth said.

The $40 million fine is around the same amount that UPS collected in fees from the online drug dealers, the Justice Department said.

"DEA is aggressively targeting the diversion of controlled substances, as well as those who facilitate their unlawful distribution," said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart in the release. "This investigation is significant and DEA applauds UPS for working to strengthen and enhance its practices in order to prevent future drug diversion."

UPS released a statement on Thursday stating, "UPS believes it has an obligation and responsibility to help curb the sale and shipment of drugs sold through illegal internet pharmacies."

UPS spokeswoman Susan Rosenberg said that strengthened compliance program and additional training outline in the agreement will "ensure that a similar situation doesn't happen in the future."