The illegal diversion of prescription medications not only harms the health of patients for whom these medications are intended but also continues to fuel the opioid and addiction crisis. Stolen pharmaceuticals can yield massive profits while causing devasting harm to communities. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) highlights a troubling rise in pharmaceutical burglaries across the country. In 2023 alone, almost 900 burglaries involving prescription medications were reported to the DEA.
An investigation discovered a Houston-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for over 200 pharmacy burglaries in 31 states, including Florida. This DTO primarily targeted rural pharmacies, stealing prescriptions that were later diverted back to Houston and sold illegally, often at 10-15 times their original value. In November 2023, numerous individuals tied to this Houston-based DTOP were arrested and charged for stealing over $1.5 million dollars in prescriptions from 20 pharmacies throughout Arkansas. The most commonly stolen prescriptions were oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and promethazine with codeine syrup. The individuals involved employed similar tactics in each burglary, utilizing similar tools and wearing distinct clothing and footwear.
To help against pharmacy burglaries, the DEA has released a safety alert video. Take a moment to watch and learn how pharmacies can protect themselves from these threats.
Additional efforts by the DEA to prevent the diversion of controlled substances include the regulation of almost two million DEA registrants that manufacture, distribute, and import/export controlled substances. Recent efforts by the DEA against registrants include investigations into the distribution of ketamine linked to actor Matthew Perry’s death, the unlawful dispensing of hundreds of thousands of prescriptions by Rite Aid, the ploy to distribute Adderall and other stimulants via a telehealth scheme by DONE Health, and Morris & Dickson Co., LLC’s failure to report thousands of questionable orders for hydrocodone and oxycodone. Additionally, the DEA acted against six other registrants for failing to account for more than a million doses of opioids.
Learn more about the DEA's ongoing efforts to prevent the illegal diversion of controlled substances and protect public health here.
References:
- Sweeping DEA Operation Targets Pharmacy Burglaries and the Illegal Sale of Addictive Prescription Medications, https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/08/29/sweeping-dea-operation-targets-pharmacy-burglaries-and-illegal-sale#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%93%20The%20U.S.%20Drug%20Enforcement,reported%20to%20DEA%20in%202023
- Pharmacy Burglary Conspirators Arraigned Tuesday in Federal Court, https://www.justice.gov/usao-edar/pr/pharmacy-burglary-conspirators-arraigned-tuesday-federal-court?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#:~:text=LITTLE%20ROCK%E2%80%94%20Eighteen%20individuals%20from,the%20Eastern%20District%20of%20Arkansas
