WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has seen an increase in burglaries at independent pharmacies across the country. Nearly 900 burglaries involving the theft of controlled substances were reported to DEA in 2023. Stolen prescription medications adversely impact these small businesses while also putting patients and the community at...

OMAHA, Neb – Five members of a Houston-based organization known for targeting rural pharmacies in Western Iowa and Western Nebraska face federal charges after breaking in and stealing pharmaceuticals in May and June of 2022 and 2023. These five people are part of a larger conspiracy being prosecuted out of...

LOS ANGELES – A licensed physician and an alleged San Fernando Valley drug dealer were arrested today in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who suffered a fatal ketamine overdose in October 2023. In total, five defendants, including two doctors, have been charged in this matter, according to...

ST. LOUIS – A doctor with an office in St. Louis and two employees have been indicted in U.S. District Court and accused of illegally prescribing controlled substances and health care fraud. Dr. David A. Parks, 66, James M. Bilderback, 58, both of Jefferson County, Missouri, and Michelle J. Scheer...

SAN DIEGO – OptumRx Inc., a prescription drug benefit provider, has agreed to pay $20 million to resolve allegations that it improperly filled certain opioid prescriptions in violation of the Controlled Substances Act. The settlement resolves an investigation initiated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) into whether, between April 2013...

SAN DIEGO – Palomar Health, a California public health care district located in San Diego County, has paid $250,000 to resolve allegations of diversion of fentanyl from one of its facilities and failure to keep accurate records for fentanyl. Palomar Health is California’s largest health care district, with campuses in...

WICHITA, Kan. – A former Kansas physician was sentenced to 10 years in prison following a jury trial conviction and a plea agreement based on charges for selling opioid prescriptions to customers without legitimate medical need for powerful pain medications. According to court documents, Steven R. Henson, 63, of Wichita...

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) is proud to be part of the 26th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:00am to 2:00pm MST at dozens of locations across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. “DEA’s Take Back events serve as...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An anesthesiologist at a Lee’s Summit, Mo., hospital pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally taking prescription fentanyl from the hospital. Roman Peplinski, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., waived his right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to...

NEWARK, N.J. – A pharmaceutical manufacturer agreed to pay $2.25 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today The manufacturer, Novel Laboratories Inc. (Novel), a subsidiary of...