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A husband and wife are accused of selling OxyContin, a potent painkiller. Authorities seize 1,010 pills.
By RYAN DAVIS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 25, 2002
PORT RICHEY -- A husband and wife were arrested Wednesday in the largest OxyContin arrest in county history, Pasco County sheriff's deputies said.
Investigators seized 1,010 of the yellow narcotic painkiller pills, which have a street value of up to $20 each. The highly addictive drug has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Santa Nina Bennett, 55, faces three charges of trafficking OxyContin, and Alan Bennett, 53, faces two trafficking charges.
Deputies said the couple was selling the drug from their Ridge Crest Gardens home, 8835 Tropical Palm Way. They live eight months a year in England and returned last month to Port Richey. The Bennetts got prescriptions for the drug from doctors in both countries, deputies said.
"The prescriptions are being given by doctors for legitimate purposes," said Sgt. Ken Gregory of the sheriff's vice unit.
Both Alan and Santa Bennett are disabled, investigators said, but they would not release their disabilities. Detective B.J. Wright said the couple "doctor shopped," meaning either they or an underling would go from doctor to doctor getting prescriptions.
OxyContin can be obtained here only with a written prescription, Wright said. It is even more strictly controlled in Britain.
Sheriff's officials have said most users start their habit when they are in pain.
They often rub the time-coating off the pill, giving them an immediate high that's more potent than heroin. It can be deadly.
Wright said the most common offenders he sees are women, often in their 30s. But the drug's use is widespread.
Also on Wednesday, in an unrelated case, a Hudson High School student was arrested at school and faces charges of possession with intent to sell OxyContin, deputies said. The 16-year-old had five pills inside a plastic bag in his pants.
Detectives said they learned of the Bennetts six months ago from a confidential informant.
On Jan. 10 an undercover deputy bought 50 pills for $400 from the couple. On Jan. 16 he bought 35 pills for $280 from Mrs. Bennett. On Wednesday, the deputy returned to give the couple $3,500 for 500 pills. Then investigators obtained a search warrant and seized more, all 40 milligram pills.
Stronger OxyContin pills have higher street values.
The sheriff's investigation continued Thursday, and it was unclear whether more arrests will follow. The couple were held Thursday at the county jail in Land O'Lakes. His bail was set at $100,000; hers was $150,000.
-- Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Ryan Davis is the police reporter in Pasco County. He can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6245, or toll-free at 800-333-7505, ext. 6245. His e-mail address is rdavis@sptimes.com.