Christopher E. Hosey, GBI Assistant Director, Cynthia Adkins, Deputy Director of Investigations, Child Exploitation And Computer Crimes Unit, GA Law Enforcement Criminal Intelligence Analysis Certification Program. as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, HHS Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In addition, the operation includes the participation of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, multiple State Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and other federal and state agencies. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Department for Aging and Independent Living, Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, Division of Administration and Financial Management, Department for Family Resource Centers and Volunteer Services, Division of Family Resource and Youth Services Centers, Division of Long-Term Services and Supports, Division of Quality and Population Health, Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Division of Epidemiology and Health Planning, Division of Prevention and Quality Improvement, Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs, DPH Division of Maternal and Child Health, Office of Application Technology Services, Office of the Ombudsman and Administrative Review, Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting, KY Controlled Substance Handbook (KRS 218A), KY Controlled Substance Regulations (KAR Title 902 Chapter 55), Kentucky Prescriptive Authority - A Guide for Pharmacists, Controlled Substance Prescribing Guideline for APRNs, Kentucky Security Prescription Blank Requirements, KASPER - Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting. Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they recovered 255 gallons of liquid methamphetamine solution and 5 kilograms of finished crystal meth. Joseph M. Campbell, Task Force Commander. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. Special Agent in Charge Fred Wimberly These cases were brought with assistance from the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, and the Kentucky Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. August 28, 2017. Investigative Offices & Services. The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Hall County Sheriffs Office, DEA Atlanta HIDTA, Georgia State Patrol, and Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force investigated this case. Cleveland, GA - The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) has introduced a new plan in its operating area to respond to drug overdoses. Officials said with the amount of liquid methamphetamine solution found, the lab was likely capable of producing more than 700 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with a . WGCL reports agents began investigating after they were informed about suspicious activity at the property. In another case, a doctor allegedly recruited prostitutes and other young women with whom he had sexual relationships to become patients at his clinic, while simultaneously allowing them and their associates to abuse illicit drugs at his house. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. Guns, drugs, and other paraphernalia seized in Baldwin, Habersham County, GA. An official website of the State of Georgia. Additional documents related to this announcement are available here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/documents-and-resources-april-17-2019-press-conference, Charges Involve Over 350 Thousand Prescriptions for Controlled Substances and Over 32 Million Pills; ARPO Strike Force Grows to 10 Districts, Expanding to Include the Western District of Virginia. Tennessee: If you are seeking help in Tennessee: West Virginia: If you are in West Virginia and are suffering with addiction you can find help by calling 1-844-HELP-4WV or logging in at https://HelpandHopeWV.org, For individuals seeking help in other states, please call 1-800-662-HELP. DEPPB staff currently includes investigators who are registered pharmacists and sworn law enforcement officers who work closely with the Kentucky State Police, Office of Attorney General, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, local law enforcement agencies and Kentucky's professional licensure boards to enforce the provisions of KRS 218A and KRS 217. For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram. Agents seize $7.8 million worth of liquid meth in drug bust operation, Family mourns 18-year-old killed at after-prom party in Mississippi, Woman accused of abducting 3-year-old from mall play area, Search ongoing for Texas man accused of fatally shooting 5 neighbors, Daughter of Buccaneers LB Shaq Barrett drowns in family pool, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. Special Agent in ChargeTrent Hillsman In one case, anurse practitionerwho branded himself the Rock Doc, allegedly prescribed powerful and dangerous combinations of opioids and benzodiazepines, sometimes in exchange for sexual favors; over approximately three years, the doctor allegedly prescribed approximately 500,000 hydrocodone pills, 300,000 oxycodone pills, 1,500 fentanyl patches, and more than 600,000 benzodiazepine pills. An official website of the State of Georgia. Torrance Nicely, 34, was charged with trafficking fentanyl and the sale of heroin. Chad Brown, SA. Primary: (706) 348-7410. Child Exploitation And Computer . Kentucky surpassed 2,000 drug overdose deaths. Beckley, WV Central Regional Drug . Authorities also seized $205,000 in cash, two vehicles and two firearms. Read The Northeast Georgian, Cornelia, Georgia, Mailing Address: Investigators said they also recovered a car that cost over $10,000. Meriwether, Muscogee, Pike, Spalding, London, KY 40741. Several arrests were made across North Georgia as the culmination of an 18-month investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the White County Sheriff's Office, the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office and the Hall County Sheriff's Office. In addition, the operation . Due to the size of the lab, agents said they contacted the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Clan Lab Team to help collect evidence and dispose of hazardous materials. Todays announcement sends a clear message that investigations involving diversion of prescription drugshavebeen, andcontinueto be, a priority for DEA., CMS CPIis proud to work very closely everyday with our law enforcement partners to stop the exploitation of vulnerable patients and misuse of taxpayer dollars, said Deputy Administrator and Director of Center for Program Integrity Alexander. According to a press release from the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, officers with several nearby agencies executed search warrants at the following homes:4605 Blue Iris Way, Oakwood; 178 Gold Creek Dr, Jefferson; 939 West Ridge Road, Gainesville; and 714 Orchard Brook Dr, Gainesville. Region 1; Region 2; Region 3; Region 4; Region 5; Region 6; Region 7; Region 8; Region 9; Region 10; Region 11; Region 12; Region 13; Region 14; Region 15; Regional Drug Enforcement Offices. DEPPB staff currently includes investigators who are registered pharmacists and sworn law enforcement officerswho work closely with the Kentucky State Police, Office of Attorney General, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, local law enforcement agencies and Kentucky's professional licensure boards to enforce the provisions of KRS 218A and KRS 217. Buford man shot during robbery, police searching for suspects, Forsyth County dog park to unveil statue honoring military canines, Hall County Commission approves self-storage, medical office on Thompson Bridge Road, MITRE determines Georgias elections are secure, $90,000 worth of illegal drugs found in Hall, Jackson County drug busts, Gwinnett County Police search for missing Dacula man, Burt Jones wins Republican nomination in lieutenant governor's race, Various Memorial Day events planned for North Georgia, Two Gainesville men arrested for drug trafficking, Arrest made in the death of a Gainesville homeless man. In another case, an advanced practice registered nurse at a pain management clinic allegedly wrote prescriptions for opioids that had no legitimate medical purpose and that were outside the usual course of professional practice. The Appalachia HIDTA mission is to enhance and coordinate drug enforcement efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within areas designated as High Intensity . In July 2022, an investigation began into the alleged drug sales being conducted out of the residence. This case was brought in connection with assistance from the DEA and HHS-OIG. Nowhere is this collaboration more important than in our fight against the opioid crisis in America. A dentist was charged for alleged conduct that included writing prescriptions for opioids that had no legitimate medical purpose and that were outside the usual course of professional practice, removing teeth unnecessarily, scheduling unnecessary follow-up appointments, and billing inappropriately for services. Agents obtained and executed a search warrant at the location and discovered an active methamphetamine conversion lab inside one of the buildings on the property. They estimate the street cost of all the . KRS 218A.182 took effect Jan. 1, 2021 and mandates electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS) in Kentucky. ARDEO investigation nets five suspects, along with drugs, guns and cash, White County man shared life with rock legends, Residents look for answers in Harvest Church project, Woman charged with vehicular homicide in teen's death Wednesday, Kemp unsure if shelter order should end as Habersham cases surge past 200, Mount Vernon Mills plant in Alto closing in 60 days, Demorest wall to be fixed, nearly 3 years later. This line is staffed Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT. Agents seized 13 pounds of fentanyl with a street value of $32,500 . Three of these cases are related to alleged pill mill operations in the Eastern District of Tennessee. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. Third Floor EPCS mandate may request a waiver by submitting an EPCS Temporary Exemption Request Form. Guns and money were seized along with $8,000 worth of meth and heroin in a bust Friday by the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. Sgt. According to the indictment, between October 2015 and October 2017 alone, the pharmacy allegedly dispensed over 1.75 million pills. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the lab was equipped to manufacture crystal methamphetamine and was located in a horse stable. The Drug Enforcement and Professional Practices Branch (DEPPB) staffadministers and enforces the Kentucky Controlled Substances Act (KRS 218A), the Kentucky Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (KRS 217) and the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (KASPER) program. Cornelia, GA 30531, 2023The Northeast Georgian, Cornelia, Georgia. In the Western District of Tennessee, 15 individuals were charged, involving eight doctors and several other medical professionals. Departments of Veterans Affairs Office of Investigations. In addition to the ARPO Strike Force districts, todays enforcement actions include cases brought in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Louisiana. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, the Office of Personnel Management, the U.S. Marshalls Service, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Caln Township Police. Dexter Cobb, 42, and Chester Willis II, 31, were both arrested as part of the investigation. A Buford man suffered non-life-threatening injuries Friday evening after he was shot during what authorities believe was an attempted robbery. All rights reserved. The following individuals were arrested during this investigation: Christopher Kyle Lee (21, Alto) possession of methamphetamine, possession of firearm during commission of crime; Jennifer Sullivan (34, Baldwin) possession of methamphetamine; Erica Bergman (31, Dacula) possession of methamphetamine; Thomas Tommy Gannon (31, Alto) trafficking methamphetamine, possession of firearm during commission of a crime, possession with intent of heroin, and possession of oxycodone; Marina Whitaker (29, Clarkesville) possession of methamphetamine with intent, and possession of heroin with intent. For help accessing substance abuse or mental health services call the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Helpline: 800-560-5767 or 615-532-6700. According to Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Marlar with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the arrests came last Thursday after a routine traffic stop. In the Eastern District of Tennessee, at total of eight individuals, including five doctors, a nurse practitioner, a physicians assistant, and an office manager were charged in four cases. Two people were arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in a multi-agency drug investigation in Elbert County. I am grateful to the Criminal Division, their U.S. Attorney partners, and to the members of the strike force for this outstanding work that holds the promise of saving many lives in Appalachian communities., Reducing the illicit supply of opioids is a crucial element of President Trumps plan to end this public health crisis, said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, and HHS-OIG, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; the 18th Judicial District Drug Task Force; the Sumner County District Attorneys Office; and the District Attorney General for the 22nd Judicial District. Attorney General William P. Barr and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar II, together with multiple law enforcement partners, today announced enforcement actions involving 60 charged defendants across 11 federal districts, including 31 doctors, seven pharmacists, eight nurse practitioners, and seven other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in the illegal prescribing and distributing of opioids and other dangerous narcotics and for health care fraud schemes. We will continue working together to protect the health and well-being of all Americans and ending this terrible epidemic., Opioid misuse and abuse is an insidious epidemic, created in large part, by the over-prescribing of potent opioids nationwide, and unfortunately, Appalachiais at the center,said DEA Assistant Administrator Martin. In that case, a doctor allegedly prescribed opioids in high dosages, dangerous combinations, and in many cases, after having knowledge that patients failed drug screens and were addicts, preferring cash payments and charging a concierge fee that ranged from approximately $50 per visit or $600 per year. Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office arrested a Gainesville man on October26 who is accused of trafficking and selling drugs. Torrance Nicely is charged with trafficking fentanyl and selling heroin. For the ARPO Strike force locations, in the Southern District of Ohio, six individuals, including two doctors and three registered pharmacists were charged with several counts, including unlawful distribution of controlled substances and conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraud. The charges announced today involve individuals contributing to the opioid epidemic, with a particular focus on medical professionals involved in the unlawful distribution of opioids and other prescription narcotics, a priority for the Department. How you know. During the execution of the search warrants, authorities seized 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 130 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of methamphetamine and 18 pounds of marijuana. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. The Appalachia HIDTA mission is to enhance and coordinate drug enforcement efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within areas designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas by pursuing the disruption/dismantlement of Drug Trafficking Organizations, particularly as it relates to the specific drug threat of the Appalachian region. In another case, a solo practitioner who operates a five-clinic family practice focusing on pain management allegedly billed Medicare for urine testing that was not done and for urine testing that was not medically necessary. If you, a family member, friend or loved one believe you may be a victim in any of these cases or in connection with any charged defendant, please visit the following website for additional information: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/case/ARPO. In the Northern District of West Virginia, a case was brought against an orthopedic surgeon who allegedly used fraudulent prescriptions to obtain tablets of acetaminophen-codeine for his own use. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. The opioid epidemic is the deadliest drug crisis in American history, and Appalachia has suffered the consequences more than perhaps any other region, Attorney General William P. Barr said. In one case a doctor operating a clinic that focused on pain management allegedly provided pre-signed, blank prescriptions to office staff who then used them to prescribe controlled substances when he was out of the office. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Aaron Maupin, Counties: Copyright 2022 WGCL Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. We will not stand by and allow the harmful and oftentimes deadly practice of over-prescribing highly addictive drugs to continue unchecked. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. In the Southern District of West Virginia, a doctor was charged with allegedly distributing narcotics, including dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, and amphetamine salt, to a patient who did not have a medical need for the drugs and whom the doctor never examined. March 28, 2022 MJ Kneiser. 35 year old Dustin Kellum of Lavonia . Gainesville-based Peach State Bank & Trust was recently named among the top extraordinary banks in the United States. Both had federal warrants for their arrest. According to the CDC, approximately 130 Americans die every day of an opioid overdose. According to authorities, 34-year-old Dustin Burgess and 30-year-old Uriel Mendoza were arrested and are facing several drug-related charges. The Trump Administrations law enforcement and public health leaders will continue to work hand in hand to end this crisis that has hit Appalachia hard and steals far too many lives across America every day.. Since July 2017, DEA has issued 31 immediate suspension orders, 129 orders to show cause, and received 1,386 surrenders for cause nationwide for violations of the Controlled Substances Act. Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office arrested a Gainesville man on October 26 who is accused of trafficking and selling drugs. Send by mail to Drug Enforcement and Professional Practices Branch at the address shown on the form or by email to KASPER.. But the Department of Justice is doing its part to help end this crisis. Attorney General Barr and Secretary Azar were joined in the announcement by Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman for the Western District of Kentucky; U.S. Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman for the Southern District of Ohio; U.S. Attorney William J. Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney Michael B. Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia; U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey for the Eastern District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee; U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town for the Northern District of Alabama; U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen for the Western District of Virginia; Executive Assistant Director Amy Hess of the FBIs Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch; Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Gary L. Cantrell of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Assistant Administrator John J. Martin of the DEA Diversion Control Division, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Program Integrity (CPI) Alec Alexander. Another case alleges that a doctor prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to at least four individuals. Charleston, WV Beckley-Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. Photo: Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. An official website of the State of Georgia. One of the Department's most promising new initiatives is the Criminal Division's Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid Strike Force, which began its work in December. How you know. Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) agents received information of suspicious activity occurring at the address of 2064 New Franklin Church Road, Canon, GA. One of the firearms had reportedly been stolen. Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. The following arrests were made at the residence: For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for [emailprotected] on twitter or follow on [emailprotected] and/or Instagram. Two Gainesville men were arrested on Wednesday after a large amount of illegal drugs and cash were found at homes in Gainesville, Jefferson and Oakwood. For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for, Facebook page for Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Twitter page for Georgia Bureau of Investigation, , arrested for possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute Xanax, four counts of possession of a firearm by convicted felon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Five Arrested on Drug and Weapons Charges in Baldwin, GA. It is also vital that Americans struggling with addiction have access to treatment and that patients who need pain treatment do not see their care disrupted, which is why federal and local public health authorities have coordinated to ensure these needs are met in the wake of this enforcement operation. A search warrant was conducted at a residence in Bowman by the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office with the assistance of the Elbert County Sheriff's Office, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, the Hart County Sheriff's Office . Agents seized 13 pounds of fentanyl with a street value of $32,500 during the arrest. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. Authorities also seized $205,000 in cash, two vehicles and two firearms. A large portion of these deaths have been . Christopher E. Hosey, GBI Assistant Director, Cynthia Adkins, Deputy Director of Investigations, Child Exploitation And Computer Crimes Unit, GA Law Enforcement Criminal Intelligence Analysis Certification Program. The . This case was brought in connection with assistance from the DEA and HHS-OIG. Galax, VA WEST VIRGINIA. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Hoover Police Department, the Huntsville Police Department, the Huntsville Area HIDTA Drug Task Force Strategic Counter Drug Team, the Marshall County Drug Task Force, the Alabama Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Madison County Sheriffs Office. Close. In addition, the APRO Strike Force works closely with other state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, State Medicaid Fraud Control Units. Casey Bubba Michael Tyler, arrested for possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute schedule Xanax, four counts of possession of a firearm by convicted felon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; Steven Wayne Boyd, arrested for four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Christopher Austin Maney, arrested for possession of methamphetamine; Cheyenne Star Wheeler, arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

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