News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2007
Contact: Michael A. Sanders
New Orleans PIO
(504) 840-1070

Pharmacy In Kenner, LA Closed, Two Arrested
Pharmacy owner’s estranged wife and former employee caught with stolen pills

JAN 31 -- (NEW ORLEANS) – William J. Renton, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Orleans Field Division and Kenner Police Chief Steve Caraway announced two arrests and the closure of the John Bull Pharmacy located at 2124 38th Street, Kenner, Louisiana.

The investigation was initiated on January 29, 2007 when Kenner police officers responded to a complaint by the pharmacy’s owner, John Bull, of the possible theft of pharmaceutical drugs. During the preliminary investigation, Kenner narcotics detectives developed suspicions that Kathryn Bull, 36, the pharmacy owner's estranged wife, as well as Victoria Daigle, a former employee, were systematically looting the drug store of large amounts of dangerous controlled substances. DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, which is charged with investigating all allegations of diversion of legal drugs into the illicit market, was asked to participate in the investigation.

A subsequent accountability audit of the pharmacy’s controlled substances by DEA investigators uncovered numerous violations of Federal law and regulations pertaining to the proper storage, security and records keeping of dangerous, highly abused, addictive drugs used legitimately for severe pain and anxiety relief. As a result of the violations discovered in the audit, John Bull who in addition to being the owner is also the pharmacist in charge, agreed to voluntarily surrender his DEA license to possess and dispense any and all controlled dangerous substances. All controlled drugs in the pharmacy were seized by DEA investigators.

During the investigation, information was also developed indicating that Kathryn Bull and Victoria Daigle were illegally stealing drugs from the pharmacy. Detectives and investigators searched Kathryn Bull’s vehicle and found several prescription bottles, pharmaceutical manufacturer bottles, and plastic zip-lock bags containing various quantities of dangerous drugs, including Oxycontin, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and alprazolam. Kathryn Bull was arrested and charged in the state of Louisiana for illegal possession of Scheduled II controlled substances.

A subsequent search of the residences of John and Kathryn Bull at 4404 Rue Pontchartrain Place in Kenner and Victoria Daigle at 1629 42nd Street, Apartment 2, also in Kenner, uncovered controlled and non-controlled substances. Daigle was arrested and booked on state charges of illegally possessing a Scheduled II controlled substance.

Special Agent in Charge William J. Renton, Jr. praised the work of the Kenner Police Department and their commitment to reducing drug abuse.

“The Drug Enforcement Administration is fortunate to have outstanding law enforcement partners who respond quickly and work together anytime information is developed on the small number of medical professionals who betray the public’s trust by diverting legitimate medications to the illicit market. The DEA is committed to constant vigilance in its efforts to reduce the amount of highly addictive legal medications that are being sold and abused in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area,” said Renton.

Kenner Police Chief Steve Caraway echoed the comments of Renton and added that the abuse of these highly addictive medications has been a major concern of law enforcement for quite some time. The actions of the Tactical Diversion Squad, working with local law enforcement, have had a significant impact on these types of investigations, he said.

The DEA tactical diversion squad consists of specially trained diversion investigators and special agents working together in a task force with local detectives from the New Orleans Police Department, Kenner Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office.