Current:Home > MarketsDozens arrested in bust targeting 'largest known pharmacy burglary ring' in DEA history -Visionary Growth Labs
Dozens arrested in bust targeting 'largest known pharmacy burglary ring' in DEA history
View
Date:2025-04-15 12:59:19
Dozens of members of a Texas-based drug trafficking organization have been arrested in a sweeping operation that targeted the "largest known pharmacy burglary ring" in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's history, federal authorities said Thursday.
Following a yearslong investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas and DEA representatives announced Thursday that an additional 24 people were arrested in Houston in July as part of the second phase of "Operation #Richoffmeds." The defendants were charged with conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute, according to U.S. Attorney Jonathan D. Ross.
A majority of the additional 24 defendants appeared in federal court in Little Rock on Thursday, Ross said at a news conference. The remaining defendants will appear in court in September.
Last December, federal authorities announced phase one of Operation #Richoffmeds after investigating more than 20 pharmacy burglaries and thefts of pharmaceutical narcotics in Arkansas. At the time, 18 people had been arrested in November 2023 and were accused of stealing more than $1.5 million worth of narcotics.
Further investigation revealed that the 42 defendants had worked together to burglarize over 200 pharmacies across 31 states, including more than 11 pharmacies in the Eastern District of Arkansas, Ross said. The stolen drugs — which included oxycodone, hydrocodone, and other prescription drugs — were transported to Houston to be sold illegally.
"This Houston-based network targeted rural pharmacies, stealing powerful drugs like Oxycodone, Xanax, and Adderall to flood the streets," DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in a statement. "These criminals even crawled on floors to dodge security, but they couldn't escape us. We dismantled their entire operation-street dealers, burglars, and all. In the fight against the opioid epidemic, the DEA is relentless in shutting down those who profit from fueling addiction."
Opioid decision:Two mothers, two deaths, two views of failed $6 billion settlement
Houston-based crime ring targeted independent pharmacies
The investigation began when the DEA identified more than 20 pharmacy burglaries that occurred in Arkansas between February 2022 and November 2023, according to federal authorities. Prosecutors said the suspects used similar methods of entry and tools in each of the burglaries, in addition to wearing matching clothing and unique footwear.
Investigators identified the suspects as members of a drug trafficking organization that comprised documented local gang members from the 5th Ward area in Houston, Texas. After 18 suspects were arrested in November 2023, the DEA identified 24 additional co-conspirators who prosecutors said were involved in numerous burglaries across 31 states.
The drug trafficking organization targeted independent, non-chain pharmacies in rural areas, according to Ross.
"They traveled by rental car or commercial airlines from Houston to cities — coast to coast — where in the early morning hours, they would shatter glass at pharmacy locations, low crawl on the floor to evade motion detectors and systematically remove dangerous opioid benzodiazepines, promethazine with codeine and other scheduled medication from the pharmacy shelves," Ross said.
Ross added that hundreds of thousands of pharmaceutical drugs with a street value of more than $12 million had been stolen.
During arrest operations in Houston, law enforcement officials seized 11 firearms, about $79,000 in U.S. currency, and custom jewelry that retailed at about $510,000. The seized items and money were "proceeds from the sale of stolen pharmaceutical drugs," according to Ross.
Arrests mark 'significant victory' in fight against drug trafficking organizations
Steven Hofer, DEA’s special agent in charge for the New Orleans Division, called Thursday's announcement a "significant victory in the ongoing fight against criminal drug trafficking organizations."
"When these stolen medications fall into the wrong hands, they're just as threatening to our community because of their potential for misuse and abuse," Hofer said at Thursday's news conference. "This organization sought to sell these stolen pharmaceuticals in the same way criminals traffic fentanyl and methamphetamine in our neighborhoods."
The DEA noted that the agency has seen a surge in burglaries at independent pharmacies across the country in recent years. The agency said nearly 900 burglaries were reported to the DEA in 2023.
"As a result, pharmacies lost almost 3.8 million doses of controlled substances," Hofer added. "This equates to more than $12 million in profits."
Federal authorities have been cracking down on illegal drug operations as the United States remains in the "midst of an unprecedented opioid epidemic," according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Federal data shows that more than 130 people die a day from an opioid-related drug overdose. In 2023 alone, over 81,000 people died from overdoses involving opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
veryGood! (85)
Related
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- Portion of US adults identifying as LGBTQ has more than doubled in last 12 years
- New Orleans police evidence room overrun by rodents, officials say: The rats are eating our marijuana
- 'Station 19' Season 7: Cast, premiere date, how to watch and stream the final season
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- No, Aaron Rodgers and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., shrooms and Hail Marys do not a VP pick make
- Open government advocate still has concerns over revised open records bill passed by Kentucky House
- Musher penalized after killing moose still wins record 6th Iditarod
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Roman Polanski civil trial over alleged 1973 rape of girl is set for 2025
Ranking
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Which 40 states don't tax Social Security benefits?
- Miami Seaquarium says it will fight the eviction, protestors may have to wait to celebrate
- Dallas Seavey wins 6th Iditarod championship, most ever in the world’s most famous sled dog race
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- 2024 NFL mock draft: Four QBs in top five as Vikings trade up after Kirk Cousins leaves
- Neil Young returns to Spotify after 2-year hiatus following Joe Rogan controversy
- Corrections officers sentenced in case involving assault of inmate and cover up
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
TV host, author Tamron Hall talks her writing process, new book and how she starts her day
In yearly Pennsylvania tradition, Amish communities hold spring auctions to support fire departments
Neil Young returns to Spotify after 2-year hiatus following Joe Rogan controversy
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Jurors watch deadly assault video in James Crumbley involuntary manslaughter case
Appeal coming from North Carolina Republicans in elections boards litigation
Warriors star Steph Curry says he's open to a political career after basketball