Pair Arrested for Trafficking Prescription Pills

All accounts point to Pasco being one of the biggest hotbeds of drug trafficking in Florida. There are more deaths in Pasco, according to the Florida Medical Examiners Commission, than in any other county in Florida. There is also a higher rate of babies born addicted to prescription drugs.

The question is where the pills are coming from. A recent arrest opens up the question even more. Drug enforcement agents arrested two individuals for their part in bringing in 3200 Oxycodone pills to Pasco County from South Florida. They also had more than 1400 Xanax pills in their possession when they were arrested. The value of the Oxycodone alone is worth more than $70,000.

The two who were arrested were not selling the drugs on the street level. They were purchasing the pills to have then converted into street ready products. This is a production which has been recognized as a way to bring in considerable income. This is why at this time, authorities are considering organized crime to be at the root of this prescription pill epidemic.

The two who were arrested, Ramon Aguilar-Hernandez and Damiana Alvarado, both from Port Richey, are agreeing to cooperate with police in order to find the South Florida source from which the pills are originating.

The arrest is a result of an investigation which has been ongoing for over five months. They expect that the arrests are not the end of the investigation, but a stepping stone on the way to uncovering a much bigger case. Those involved in the case are expecting that they will be able to get information which will finally put a major dent in the supply flow from South Florida to create a Pasco County with fewer prescription drugs in the hands of children and citizens.

Drug Theft Ring Busted by Feds

There has been a three year operation in place to bust those involved in stealing drugs to sell in Florida. The ring was busted recently thanks to the diligent efforts of federal agents.

The theft ring was the biggest in history with some of the biggest thefts from any pharmaceutical company. Drugs were stolen directly from warehouses as well as from the trucks which were carrying them to their destinations around the nation.

Among the biggest of the heists was one worth $75 million dollars from the Eli Lilly & Co. warehouse in Enfield, Conn. The heist took place in March 2010 and two men – Amuary Villa, 37, and Amed Villa, 46 – were arrested in connection with the theft. The two allegedly cut a hole in the roof of the warehouse to gain entry. They then disarmed the alarm system and used a pallet truck to unload the palettes onto a waiting vehicle.

When arrested, Villa was in possession of 4,600 boxes of Gemzar, cancer drug, when he was arrested. These cases have been identified as part of the merchandise which was stolen in the heist.

While it seems that drugs were among the main focus of the thieves, it was not all that they were stealing. They also stole everything from cigarettes to alcohol and electronics. The majority of the thefts occurred at truck rest stops and from the warehouses themselves. The thieves would steal the trucks and then exchange the goods to another vehicle to avoid detection.

The federal agents were able to purchase most of the drugs to make sure that they would not be put into the hands of those who would abuse the. All of the men arrested in Florida as a part of the ring have not been given bail hearings yet.

Marijuana Plant Found Growing Close to Police Building

In proof that you can grow marijuana just about anywhere you want these days, a marijuana plant was discovered growing across the street from a Tampa police department office.

The plant itself had been growing undetected by all for several weeks. It was growing right out in plain sight for any to see if they cared to take the time.

The plant was given all of the love and attention that all of the rest of the plants in the planter were given. With an irrigation line and a direct line of sunlight, there was no reason why the plant would not be able to grow healthy and strong.

The plant was discovered in a very well-traveled section of Tampa – corner of N. Franklin Steer and Madison Street. The location being right across the street from a Tampa Police Department building means that not only was it visible to the average workers, casual observers and homeless. As a well-traveled are by police alike, it escaped detection by even police detectives and other criminal professionals.

When interviewed, most people were not surprised by the location or that it had gone undetected for so long. Some were actually surprised that it did not grow into a full tree before it was noticed.

When brought to the attention of the police, it was promptly removed and tested. The plant was positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, which is the active chemical compound in marijuana which causes people to get high whenever they ingest or smoke the plant.

While it is speculated that this was a prank perpetrated by an individual with too much time on their hands, it is a real eye opener to those who are put in charge of discovering such plants when they missed one right under their noses.

National Drug Take Back Day Another Success

The growing epidemic of kids taking prescription drugs to abuse them has risen over the years. Homes are being burglarized in order to gain access to current and old prescriptions. Those with known existing prescriptions are at risk.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has identified the problem and taken action. They have had a few national drug take back days in the past year which have been a resounding success.

Several locations in areas around Tampa and throughout the nation took part in allowing residents to turn in their old prescription drugs for free. Even those who have prescriptions which do not belong to them were able to get the help that they needed to be able to dispose of them in a manner which prevents others from having access.

The last event in October of 2011 was able to remove over 4.5 tons of drugs from Florida alone. The three overall collections have been able to remove more than 500 tons from the nation as a whole.

All drugs are properly disposed of so that they will not be eligible to be collected and reused by those trying to abscond with them.

The hope is that by having these kinds of days, it is possible to keep these drugs out of the hands of those who are curious about their effects or those who are already abusing them. Since the prescription drug abuse problem has already reached epic proportions, it is time for any and all action to be taken.

While the DEA realizes that this will not do a lot to stop the pill mills from pumping even more drugs back into the system, they are hoping that this will at least get rid of some of the access that kids have to these drugs.

Federal Crackdown Removes Gang Members from Tampa and Across the Nation

The investigation division of the Department of Homeland Security has been tracking gang members in Tampa as in other parts of the nation.

Many of those who have been under surveillance have lived in the United States for years. One person has been charged who has been living in the United States since he was 3 years old.

Those who are charged have all been labeled as gang members by the operation called “Operation Nefarious”. Department of Homeland Security officials have been working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify those individuals who have been living illegally in the United States.

Individuals identified are suspected of being members of either MS-13, Sur 13 or the Latin Kings. Arrests include not just the three in Tampa. It also includes the two in Dade City and the two in Plant City and three in Clearwater. Nationwide, the crackdown netted 69 arrests of individuals believed to have connections with criminal syndicates leading back to their country of origin.

The indication by the law enforcement officials is that these individuals are not striving to integrate into American society, they intend to prey on it. This sort of element is simply not welcome and they are being removed from the streets and the country as quickly as possible.

Many of those accused will have to face federal charges and complete any ensuing sentences before they are deported to their country of origin. Only those who are not charged or are able to be cleared of their charges will be able to return to their countries immediately. The arrests on these individuals will make it impossible for the individuals to return to the United States ever again. This will help to make the streets safer for citizens.

Tax Fraud is New Focus for Drug Dealers

A growing population of drug dealers has started to use tax fraud as a way to make cash. Of course, the use of tax returns to pay for drugs is nothing new. The only thing which has changed is the way in which they are going about it.

In the past, drug dealers used the ability to claim dependents on taxes as a way to settle drug debts. It was difficult to identify who was actually caring for a child, so the possibility that the drug dealer was actually paying for the child was a possibility. As more IRS officials started looking for this and investigating suspicious behavior, more people have gotten away from doing this.

The new front for drug dealers is to deal in stolen information. Tax identification information which can be used to file taxes online is a very lucrative way for the drug dealers to make money. They trade drugs for the information. They then file online using things like TurboTax. They are issued prepaid debit cards which they can then get money from.

Officers like Sal Augeri, Tampa police detective, have been frustrated by the new development. It is difficult to prove the use of taxes for fraud. It is also difficult to get the help of the federal agents needed to make an arrest.

There have been some inroads into getting cooperation due to the many appearances Augeri has made on CNN, FOX News and more. His exposure has been so great that he has started to refuse opportunities to speak so that he can concentrate more on the work that he needs to do in order to take drug dealers off of the streets. It is a growing risk to all of those who work hard for their money.

Growing Numbers of Submarines Being Used by Smugglers

The U.S. Coast Guard has seen a rise in what they are calling self-propelled submersibles to smuggle drugs into the U.S. and throughout the world. They have seen about 30 of these in recent history.

The problem with the vessels that they are tracking is that they are difficult to find because of the fact that they have the capability to go underwater. The creation of these vehicles has been a thorn in the side of the drug stopping agencies trying to catch criminals in the act.

One of the problems which the agents are facing is that if they are tracking the ship and they announce their presence, the sailors aboard will simply scuttle the ship. The contents of the ship will go to the bottom of the ocean rather than risking the charges which are associated with the amount of drugs that they are trying to smuggle.

The submarines themselves are being constructed, as best the U.S. Coast Guard can estimate, under the dense foliage of the Columbian forests. This constitutes a problem for Columbian officials as well as drug agencies around the world. It is difficult to peer beneath the layer of foliage and even more difficult to enter the territories where the boats are being manufactured.

Those manning the boats would seem forced at gun-point to participate in manning the boats. With only about three feet of space in the boat to move around in, it could be a very difficult ride for those who are manning the boats. Many will go to the surface in order to get some air and to feel less cramped.

The boats are used as a one way ride. They cost about $1 million to build, but they haul more than $250 million in product. Wasting something which brings in that much money is well worth the cost to these drug lords.

Teens Not Realizing the Dangers of Prescription Drugs

There are a growing number of teens abusing prescription drugs. These drugs are the same drugs which are prescribed for those in extreme pain.

The biggest problem being faced by parents and drug officials is the difficulties in making teens take the problem seriously. Teens feel a sense of security in the fact that the drugs are made in a laboratory rather than in a back alley somewhere.

The problem with abusing these kinds of pills is that they are highly addictive to the individual. These represent eight of the top 22 drugs which are abused by teens. One of the problems is accessibility. They have the ability to purchase the drugs from friends and family who legitimately need the medication. Others purchase them from black market dealers.

The problem for parents is that it can be extremely difficult to know if a teen is taking pain medications. There is no way to smell it on the breath and most people taking them do not show any signs that they are abusing the medication.

Nationwide, the abuse of pain medications has become an epidemic. There is four times the amount of Percocet and Oxycontin available than there was 20 years ago. The volume being produced, prescribed or sold through illegal means has reached record numbers.

The information given to teens about these drugs needs to stress how these have an addictive effect on the body as well as the long term effects that abuse can lead to. Also stressed should be the ability to die while under the influence of these kinds of medications. Slowed reaction times and additional problems can lead to deadly circumstances. Other problems can include long term liver damage and problems with brain function. These are serious consequences for wanting to feel high.

Walgreens Under Fire for Sales of Oxycodone

One of the few prescription pills which has been making the rounds of habitual drug users recently is oxycodone. This is a pain medication which is produced by major drug manufacturers and is not for individual sale. Its release is supposed to be regulated by the pharmacists which sell the pills.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) claims that there is a significant jump in the amount of oxycodone which has been sold by Wal-Mart in recent history. Just a decade ago, the pharmacy was not even on the radar of the DEA. Recently a few stores were being watched. Recently, that number has jumped to 38.

The reason why the stores are being watched is because of the amount of oxycodone which is being purchased and released to the public. Any time this happens, it is a sign that there is something illegal going on. As a matter of fact, Florida has been labeled as the epicenter of the oxycodone market for the southeast and beyond.

There is an investigation going on right now to determine if all of the sales from the drug store have been in accordance with the licensing that the pharmacies have received. There are six stores between Fort Pierce and Tampa Bay area which are under close watch right now. Also under watch is the Jupiter based distribution center.

The drugs in question include the medications OxContin, Percodan and Percocet. The warrant which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida puts Wal-Mart under the watchful eyes of the DEA and means that the drug store will need to amend their practices in terms of who is allowed to receive these prescriptions in order to make sure that they are only giving out medications to those who rightly deserve them.

Former Boxing Champion Charged in Felony Child-Abuse Charge

Late last year, there was a warrant filed against Hector “Macho” Camacho. He recently turned himself in to Florida authorities to face the charges.

Drugs and alcohol have been deemed a problem in Camacho’s life for years. It is undetermined at this time if drug and alcohol abuse played a part in the crime which occurred late last year. The former heavyweight champion is 49. HE was processed through the Orange County Jail in Orlando on Monday and was released on $5,000 bond.

The incident did not result in Camacho getting arrested as there were no injuries which were visible and no one was claiming to need medical attention. The incident occurred at the home of Camacho’s children and was reported to the police because there was yelling outside of the home which was disturbing the neighborhood.

The Assault in question was against the teenage son of Camacho. The report was filed sometime in the same night after Camacho has left the home. The report was not divulged to Camacho until just recently. As soon as he knew about the report, he reported to the police.

Camacho’s hope is to be able to put the matter behind him. He claims that he has always had a good relationship with his children and does not want to risk losing that dynamic. He is hoping that by confronting the allegation that he will be able to resolve any problems which have arisen as a result of the night in question.

Camacho was a heavyweight fight who fought against such title holders as Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Sugar Ray Leonard and Julio Cesar Chavez. His boxing career is over and now, the boxer is hoping to put the past behind him including a 2005 charge of burglary and possession of ecstacy.