19 Indictments Unsealed in Prescription Pill Bust

NEW PORT RICHEY (February 27, 2009) - Sheriff Bob White, United States Attorney A. Brian Albritton, and Special Agent In Charge Mark R. Trouville of the Drug Enforcement Administration announced the indictments of 19 individuals suspected of trafficking oxycodone. Each individual, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

The nineteen defendants allegedly have been obtaining large amounts of oxycodone from various pharmacies throughout the Tampa Bay area. These defendants would "doctor shop," or visit numerous doctors with false medical claims to obtain prescriptions for oxycodone. The pills would then be distributed locally and interstate to oxycodone distribution cells.

This case was investigated by the Pasco Sheriff's Office and the DEA. Also assisting in the investigation were the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the Tampa Police Department, the New Port Richey Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The bust is part of a larger effort to keep Florida's illegal prescription drug problem under control. According to a bill before the Florida Legislature, each day nine Floridians die due to prescription drug abuse. Senate Bill 462 has been filed by Senator Mike Fasano. This bill would put a stop to the "doctor shopping." The bill would require the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to design and establish an electronic system to monitor the prescribing of controlled substances. Under the new law, if passed, a requirement would be put in place that each time a controlled substance is dispensed, it must be reported to AHCA within 15 days. During the 2009 Legislative Session, the Office of Drug Control has made this bill their top priority.

Left and Right: Sheriff's Deputies in the Vice and Narcotics unit escort two suspects arrested in the prescription drug ring bust into a transport van taking them to appear in Federal Court.