Feds crack down on illegal trafficking of oxycodone

ATLANTA - A federal grand jury in Atlanta returned indictments this week in two separate cases charging a total of 13 people from Georgia and Kentucky - including one from Braselton - with illegally trafficking in oxycodone and other prescription drugs. In the larger of the two cases, agents arrested a total of 6 defendants, all of whom appeared in federal court yesterday and today for arraignments.

The two cases arise out of intensified efforts to address Georgia's growing problem with the abuse of prescription drugs. On March 2, 2011, United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates and other leaders in federal, state, and local law enforcement, public policy, health and medicine, substance abuse treatment, and academia convened in a summit at Georgia State University to explore the scope of the prescription drug abuse problem and steps that can be taken to address the problem.

Since that time, the Georgia state legislature passed legislation on April 19 approving a prescription drug monitoring program, which will allow law enforcement and the medical board to more effectively identify and prevent the diversion and misuse of oxycodone and other abused prescription drugs. The bill currently is awaiting signature by the Governor to be enacted into law.

"The participants at the summit demonstrated that Georgia is experiencing an epidemic of prescription drug abuse that is devastating many of our communities," Yates said. "The problem is one that law enforcement cannot solve alone, and instead will require a comprehensive effort from public health, medicine, and our communities. That said, the indictments in these two cases show that this office will play an active role in arresting and punishing those who are contributing to prescription drug abuse."

A federal grand jury in Atlanta returned an indictment this week charging Justin Howard, 28, of Braselton, and 10 other Georgians with conspiring to forge oxycodone prescriptions and trafficking in the illegally obtained oxycodone tablets. Seven of the defendants were arrested over the past 48 hours and have been arraigned. the others are from Marietta, Acworth, and Canton.

United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, "Prescription drug abuse is our nation's fastest-growing segment of illegal drug use, causing significantly more overdose deaths than cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin combined. Oxycodone remains one of the most widely abused prescription drugs, and it's also one of the most addictive and deadly drugs when not taken properly. The forging of prescriptions is an especially harmful situation because it completely removes the oversight of a physician from the equation."

Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the DEA said, "These indictments have caused the dismantlement of an organization responsible for the distribution of oxycodone, a powerful and addictive opium derivative. This case is a perfect example of the success that can be accomplished when federal, state and local resources are combined to present a united front."

Oxycodone is the generic name of a prescription painkiller that is an ingredient in popular brand medications including Oxycontin, Percocet, and Roxycodone.

The indictment charges the eleven defendants with one count of conspiring to possess a controlled substance, namely oxycodone, with the intent to distribute. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

Another indictment names two people from Kentucky who allegedly traveled to Georgia to purchase oxycodone for resale in Kentucky

Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the DEA said, "The sharp increase in the distribution of pain pills for non-medical reasons continues to be a major concern. As such, DEA and its local law enforcement counterparts will continue to target those who traffic these addictive pain medications. This case was a success because of the spirited level of law enforcement cooperation."