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Drugs seized at Internet pharmacy
Federal agents confiscate boxes of controlled substances that might pose a health threat.
By REBECCA CATALANELLO
Published November 17, 2006
TAMPA - Federal agents seized a truckload of controlled pharmaceuticals Thursday from an online drug company based in the city. The Drug Enforcement Administration suspended Medipharm Rx Inc.'s license to sell or purchase any controlled drugs on grounds the company may be posing a "immediate danger to public health," DEA spokeswoman Jeannette Moran said. A Penske Rental truck was backed up to the 4607 N Clark Ave. warehouse from 9 a.m. until the end of the workday as agents confiscated numerous boxes of prescription medications, Moran said, including Hydrocodone, also known as Vicodin, and Alprazolam, also called Xanax. Employees of the company were dismissed for the day after agents arrived to search the business. Agents also seized controlled substances at Medcenter Inc., at 6935 S Carter Road in Lakeland on Thursday. State records indicate both are owned and run by the same people. Though the action was not part of a criminal investigation, Moran said the Internet drug trade is of interest to federal agents because there tends to be less quality control than at a traditional pharmacy. She did not give details about what specifically troubled the DEA. Florida Department of State records list Michael J. Anderson, Brian M. Green and John P. Hawes as officers in the companies, with Robert L. Caddick named as the registered agent. The Times was not successful locating any of the four late Thursday. Moran said the companies are permitted to continue selling drugs, such as birth control, that don't fall under the federal controlled substances laws. Business owners are entitled to an administrative hearing within 60 days, after which DEA Deputy Administrator Michele Leonhart will determine whether the businesses should have their certificates to deal in controlled substances permanently revoked, Moran said. The DEA worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on the case. Hydrocodone is an addictive painkiller. Xanax, often used to treat anxiety, also can be habit forming. Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this report.
[Last modified November 17, 2006, 06:02:26]
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by Linda
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11/30/06 02:37 AM
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It's easier to bust professional pharmacists in white coats than to get shot at by meth cookers and heroin dealers...the REAL scourge on our society. Want to keep kids off drugs? go after the street dealers and leave the old men with bad hips alone
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by ken
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11/29/06 11:39 AM
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once again "big brother" is sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong.just like anything else,i'm sure some people abused prescription drugs,but the majority really need pain management.alot of people are going to suffer.they don't care.it's good pr
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by bob
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11/28/06 08:33 PM
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Someone didn't get a cut. Drugs are a great source of income for the DEA. Marijuana will never be legal, even though it is less dangerous than alcohol, because the payoffs would go up in smoke, lol. Get the crack off the streets, and stop wasting tim
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by mike
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11/24/06 06:05 PM
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the DEA is good at messing with the sick
i have 3 disks one of them is rupsherd i guss i wont be walking to good agen THANK YOU DEA
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by Joelyn
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11/21/06 05:49 PM
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Another case of the government putting their nose where it should not be. Like Regan said. The most scary thing someone can tell you is "i'm from the government and I am here to help."
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by Mule
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11/17/06 10:05 PM
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Leave the pain suffering people be will ya?
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