seodoc
August 3rd, 2005, 12:01 PM
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<TD class=v1>Posted on Wed, Aug. 03, 2005</TD></TR>
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<H1>Illegal shipment of 10,000 pills seized from FedEx center </H1>http://www.kentucky.com/images/common/spacer.gif
By Ryan Alessi
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HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
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Authorities have seized 163 packages full of addictive prescription drugs that were sent from an unregistered Florida-based Internet pharmacy through the Lexington FedEx distribution center.
A sorter from the FedEx center alerted drug agents Monday that the packages were suspicious, Attorney General Greg Stumbo said today.
The 10,000 hydrocodone tablets seized by investigators represented the first bust made possible by legislation approved in the spring. The law, which took effect July 1, allows investigators to seize property sent through the mail by pharmacies that haven't registered with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy.
Stumbo said his office is working with Florida officials to track down the Internet pharmacy company that mailed the drugs.
He said authorities already know some of the intended recipients of the drugs, although no arrests have been made. Several people showed up at the FedEx facility Tuesday to pick up the packages, including a woman who had one of the boxes addressed to her 3-year-old daughter, Stumbo said.
Hydrocodone can be a habit-forming narcotic.
Drug addicts and dealers have been increasingly looking to Internet pharmacy sites as a source for illegal shipments of prescription drugs. Delivery service drivers complained in the spring that they were being accosted by individuals who were waiting for drugs.
That prompted the passage of Senate Bill 63, which makes it a felony for unregistered pharmacies to ship drugs into Kentucky.
Stumbo said a Kentucky grand jury would have to indict the Florida-based pharmacy before Kentucky can extradite pharmacy employees.
His office will be working with Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Larson.
"I don't think we'll have that much trouble prosecuting these people and getting a conviction," Stumbo said.
Reach Ryan Alessi at (859) 231-1303 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 1303, or ralessi@herald-leader.com.
Read more on this story in Thursday's Herald-Leader. </TD></TR></T></T></TABLE>
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<TD class=v1>Posted on Wed, Aug. 03, 2005</TD></TR>
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<DIV class=->http://www.kentucky.com/images/common/spacer.gif
<H1>Illegal shipment of 10,000 pills seized from FedEx center </H1>http://www.kentucky.com/images/common/spacer.gif
By Ryan Alessi
http://www.kentucky.com/images/common/spacer.gif
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
http://www.kentucky.com/images/common/spacer.gif
</DIV>
Authorities have seized 163 packages full of addictive prescription drugs that were sent from an unregistered Florida-based Internet pharmacy through the Lexington FedEx distribution center.
A sorter from the FedEx center alerted drug agents Monday that the packages were suspicious, Attorney General Greg Stumbo said today.
The 10,000 hydrocodone tablets seized by investigators represented the first bust made possible by legislation approved in the spring. The law, which took effect July 1, allows investigators to seize property sent through the mail by pharmacies that haven't registered with the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy.
Stumbo said his office is working with Florida officials to track down the Internet pharmacy company that mailed the drugs.
He said authorities already know some of the intended recipients of the drugs, although no arrests have been made. Several people showed up at the FedEx facility Tuesday to pick up the packages, including a woman who had one of the boxes addressed to her 3-year-old daughter, Stumbo said.
Hydrocodone can be a habit-forming narcotic.
Drug addicts and dealers have been increasingly looking to Internet pharmacy sites as a source for illegal shipments of prescription drugs. Delivery service drivers complained in the spring that they were being accosted by individuals who were waiting for drugs.
That prompted the passage of Senate Bill 63, which makes it a felony for unregistered pharmacies to ship drugs into Kentucky.
Stumbo said a Kentucky grand jury would have to indict the Florida-based pharmacy before Kentucky can extradite pharmacy employees.
His office will be working with Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Larson.
"I don't think we'll have that much trouble prosecuting these people and getting a conviction," Stumbo said.
Reach Ryan Alessi at (859) 231-1303 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 1303, or ralessi@herald-leader.com.
Read more on this story in Thursday's Herald-Leader. </TD></TR></T></T></TABLE>