Tag:

Opioids

Barnegat Woman Who Sold Opioids, Meth Across NJ Sentenced Barnegat Woman Who Sold Opioids, Meth Across NJ Sentenced
Barnegat Woman Who Sold Opioids, Meth Across NJ Sentenced An Ocean County woman will spend time in prison after admitting to selling opioids and methamphetamine across New Jersey, authorities said. Laurie Maxson, 54, of Barnegat, was sentenced on Friday, Apr. 12 to three years in state prison, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced in a news release. She pleaded guilty on Monday, Jan. 29 to conspiracy to distribute more than five ounces of methamphetamine. The county prosecutor's office received a tip on Thursday, July 15, 2021, from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to investigate narcotics being sold in Ocean County. D…
GONE IN 120 SECONDS: Burglars Smash Way Into Glen Rock Pharmacy, Snatch Oxy, Sedatives GONE IN 120 SECONDS: Burglars Smash Way Into Glen Rock Pharmacy, Snatch Oxy, Sedatives
Gone IN 120 Seconds: Burglars Smash Way Into Glen Rock Pharmacy, Snatch Oxy, Sedatives Two burglars smashed their way into a Glen Rock drug store overnight and stole oxycodone and Promethazine, authorities said. The pair were wearing hoodies to conceal their faces when they shattered the glass back door of the Rock Ridge Pharmacy in the central business district at 3:10 a.m. last Tuesday, March 26, Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. They were in and out in two minutes, the chief said. The burglars “ransacked the pharmacist’s work area, forcing open locked drawers, gaining access to and removing narcotics,” Ackermann said. The incident was another in a series of bur…
Former Berks Doctor Accused Of Diverting 'Hundreds Of Doses' Of Fentanyl Former Berks Doctor Accused Of Diverting 'Hundreds Of Doses' Of Fentanyl
Former Berks Doctor Accused Of Diverting 'Hundreds Of Doses' Of Fentanyl A Luzerne County doctor is charged with 32 felony counts related to diverting narcotics, said the state Attorney General's Office Friday, March 22.  Richard Lemaster Hubbell was arraigned Thursday at a district court, prosecutors said.  Investigators believe Hubbell, while working as an anesthesiologist in Berks and Columbia counties, falsified records to show that patients were given fentanyl and Dilaudid, or hydromorphone.  Detectives said they found hundreds of vials and syringes containing the two opioids at his home in Butler Township, Luzerne County…
Barnegat Woman Admits To Selling Opioids, Meth Across NJ: Prosecutors Barnegat Woman Admits To Selling Opioids, Meth Across NJ: Prosecutors
Barnegat Woman Admits To Selling Opioids, Meth Across NJ: Prosecutors An Ocean County woman admitted to selling opioids and methamphetamine across New Jersey after police found tens of thousands of pain medication pills in her home, authorities said. Laurie Maxson, 54, of Barnegat, pleaded guilty on Monday, Jan. 29 to conspiracy to distribute more than five ounces of methamphetamine. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the plea on Tuesday, Jan. 30. The county prosecutor's office received a tip on Thursday, July 15, 2021, from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to investigate narcotics being sold in Ocean County. DEA agents helped county investig…
Patchogue Man Admits Selling Fentanyl, Cocaine While Awaiting Sentence In Separate Drug Case Patchogue Man Admits Selling Fentanyl, Cocaine While Awaiting Sentence In Separate Drug Case
Patchogue Man Admits Selling Fentanyl, Cocaine While Awaiting Sentence In Separate Drug Case Not even a pending prison sentence could stop this admitted dealer from selling dangerous opioids on the streets of Long Island. Randheer Shewprashad, age 25, of Patchogue, pleaded guilty to drug and weapons charges in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, Jan. 18. Prosecutors said Shewprashad was first arrested in May 2023 after he sold fentanyl and cocaine to undercover officers on two different occasions between March and April 2023. When the Suffolk County Police Department executed a search warrant at his Patchogue home, they reportedly found cocaine and fentanyl, as well as two semi-auto…
Fentanyl Dealer Nabbed During Investigation In Poughkeepsie, Police Say Fentanyl Dealer Nabbed During Investigation In Poughkeepsie, Police Say
Fentanyl Dealer Nabbed During Investigation In Poughkeepsie, Police Say A Hudson Valley man was charged with the sale of a controlled substance during an ongoing investigation into fentanyl and drug sales in the region. Orange County resident Takai Jackson, age 27, of Newburgh, was busted by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force on Tuesday, Jan. 9 in Poughkeepsie. According to Sgt. Adam Harris of the Dutchess County task force, during the investigation Jackson was identified as moving drugs in the region. As a result, he was taken into custody at which time fentanyl and cocaine were found in his possession, Harris said. He was charged with criminal possession o…
Neighboring PDs Combine To Nab Fleeing NYC Trio After Brazen Marshalls Heist Neighboring PDs Combine To Nab Fleeing NYC Trio After Brazen Marshalls Heist
Neighboring PDs Combine To Nab Fleeing NYC Trio After Brazen Marshalls Heist Local police in northwest Bergen County who’ve teamed up to fight area crime nabbed a brazen shoplifting crew from New York City moments after they hit a local Marshalls. Wyckoff police issued an alert after witnesses reported seeing a man and two women flee the Boulder Run shopping center off Franklin Avenue in a red 2018 Jeep. The thieves had just pushed shopping carts stuffed with more than $1,000 worth of clothing, toys and fragrances out the door to the vehicle, Wyckoff Police Lt. Joseph Soto said. Franklin Lakes police stopped the Jeep near the border of both towns off the corner of …
Rite Aid Announces 14 Long Island Stores Slated For Closure After Declaring Bankruptcy Rite Aid Announces 14 Long Island Stores Slated For Closure After Declaring Bankruptcy
Rite Aid Announces 14 Long Island Stores Slated For Closure After Declaring Bankruptcy Rite Aid has announced specific store closures just days after the struggling pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy. Of the 154 closures nationwide announced on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 20 are in New York, 14 of which are on Long Island. Rite Aid currently has 2,100 stores and about 45,000 employees. The Long Island stores slated for closure are: 2 Whitney Ave., Floral Park 3131 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown 3199 Long Beach Road, Oceanside 198 West Merrick Road, Valley Stream 836 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore 2784 Sunrise Highway, Bellmore 901 Merrick Road, Copiague 577 Larkfield Road, East Nor…
Ex-Nurse Avoids Jailtime For Stealing Boston Patients' Opioids: Feds Ex-Nurse Avoids Jailtime For Stealing Boston Patients' Opioids: Feds
Ex-Nurse Avoids Jailtime For Stealing Boston Patients' Opioids: Feds A former nurse who admitted to stealing opioids from her patients and a locked medicine cabinet at two Boston-area hospitals will not serve any jail time, federal authorities announced.  Lisa Tarr, 33, of St. Petersburg, Fla., was sentenced to five years of probation, with the first year being spent in home detention, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Tarr pleaded guilty last year to four counts of unlawfully obtaining controlled substances by fraud, deception, and subterfuge. Tarr was a student nurse at a Boston-area hospital in August 2018, where she told investigators she…
Maryland Brothers Busted After $50K Pharmacy Robberies Maryland Brothers Busted After $50K Pharmacy Robberies
Maryland Brothers Busted After $50K Pharmacy Robberies A 26-year-old Washington, DC man has been sentenced to over 20 years in prison for the armed robberies of two pharmacies.  Carlos Zackery pleaded guilty in September 2022 to six armed robberies, nine first-degree assaults, and two conspiracy to commit armed robbery charges after robbing two pharmacies with his brother.  Zackery admitted to robbing two pharmacies, including the Walgreens on the 6900 block of Arlington Road in Bethesda, and the Giant Foods pharmacy on the 3800 block of International Drive in Silver Spring. “These defendants terrorized pharmacy employees and custome…
Philly Duo Robbed Pharmacies For At Least $60K In Drugs, Jury Finds Philly Duo Robbed Pharmacies For At Least $60K In Drugs, Jury Finds
Philly Duo Robbed Pharmacies For At Least $60K In Drugs, Jury Finds A pair of Philadelphia men robbed two pharmacies at gunpoint and stole at least $60,000 in prescription drugs, a federal jury has found.  Jon Suggs and Nickolas Passineau, both 31, were each convicted of robbery and using a firearm in the commission of a crime, said US Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero in a statement Tuesday, Dec. 13.  In a string of robberies throughout late 2017 and early 2018, federal investigators said Suggs and Passineau punched, kicked, and pistol-whipped hostage pharmacy employees while stealing thousands of dollars in controlled substances at gunpoint.  …
'Put Lives At Risk': Nassau County Dentist, Town Worker Charged In Opioid Prescription Scheme 'Put Lives At Risk': Nassau County Dentist, Town Worker Charged In Opioid Prescription Scheme
'Put Lives At Risk': Nassau County Dentist, Town Worker Charged In Opioid Prescription Scheme A Long Island dentist is among two people facing charges for allegedly selling opioid prescriptions to people without a medical need. Farmingdale resident Jason DiBlasi, age 49, who owns a dental office in Massapequa, was arraigned on 113 counts of criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance by a practitioner or pharmacist in Nassau County Court Friday, Nov. 18. Prosecutors said police began looking into DiBlasi’s prescribing habits while investigating a fatal overdose. Between May and September 2021, members of the Nassau County DA’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administ…
Methuen Man Busted Selling Fentanyl In 'Devil's Highway' Stings Gets 7 Years In Prison: Feds Methuen Man Busted Selling Fentanyl In 'Devil's Highway' Stings Gets 7 Years In Prison: Feds
Methuen Man Busted Selling Fentanyl In 'Devil's Highway' Stings Gets 7 Years In Prison: Feds A 25-year-old Methuen man who sold large amounts of fentanyl to undercover officers five times will spend the next seven years in federal prison, authorities said.  Andi Guerrero-Lara, who goes by the nickname Manny Sierra, pleaded guilty to seven drug trafficking charges in January and was sentenced last week, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Police arrested Guerrero-Lara as part of "Devil's Highway," which was a 10-week, multi-department drug operation to staunch the flow of drugs into the Merrimack Valley. Investigators busted nearly 40 people during the months-lon…
Valley Stream Man Indicted For Using Forged Prescriptions To Acquire Opioids Valley Stream Man Indicted For Using Forged Prescriptions To Acquire Opioids
Valley Stream Man Indicted For Using Forged Prescriptions To Acquire Opioids A Long Island man has been indicted for allegedly using forged prescriptions to acquire opioids. James Cosentino, age 29, of Valley Stream, was indicted on Thursday, July 7 for allegedly using doctors’ prescription pads to illegally obtain oxycodone and morphine from several pharmacies in Nassau County in 2021 and 2022. According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, Cosentino was charged with: Eight counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument 16 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance He is due back in court on Wednesday, Aug. 3. If convicted of th…
TRAGIC TOP 10: Fentanyl Deaths In NY, NJ, PA, MD Among Highest In Nation, Study Finds TRAGIC TOP 10: Fentanyl Deaths In NY, NJ, PA, MD Among Highest In Nation, Study Finds
Tragic TOP 10: Fentanyl Deaths In NY, NJ, PA, MD Among Highest In Nation, Study Finds New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland were among the 10 states with the most fentanyl deaths last year, a recent study found. All four were also among the states with the most deaths caused by the synthetic opioid since 2015, the non-profit Families Against Fentanyl found. The results led a former chief medical officer of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to urge Washington to "attack fentanyl overdoses with the same vigor and approaches as we do the coronavirus." Bipartisan leaders including former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former CIA Directo…
Major Allentown Drug Bust Nets $567K Worth Of Fentanyl, Cocaine, Meth, Firearms: AG Major Allentown Drug Bust Nets $567K Worth Of Fentanyl, Cocaine, Meth, Firearms: AG
Major Allentown Drug Bust Nets $567K Worth Of Fentanyl, Cocaine, Meth, Firearms: AG An Allentown man was arrested Thursday after a search of his home and a separate location turned up $567,000 worth of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine, and two firearms, authorities said. Harold Bauza has been charged with drug possession with intent to deliver, dealing in unlawful proceeds and prohibited possession of a gun, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Friday. Bauza was on state parole at the time of his arrest for prior felony drug and weapons convictions, making him ineligible to purchase firearms. As a part of an ongoing drug investigatio…
Ex-Berks County Councilman Sentenced In 2nd Drug Store Robbery Case Ex-Berks County Councilman Sentenced In 2nd Drug Store Robbery Case
Ex-Berks County Councilman Sentenced In 2nd Drug Store Robbery Case An ex-councilman in Berks County who is already in prison, will face additional time behind bars after being sentenced for his involvement in a second drug store robbery. Kirk Mullen, 37, was sentenced to six to 20 years in state prison on Monday following his conviction of robbery and attempted delivery of a controlled substance, specifically opioids, according to the Berks County District Attorney's Office. The former West Reading councilman was arrested in Sept. 2020 after he taped a threatening note to the front door of The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Shillington, DA John T. Adams said.…
Long Island Duo Nabbed for Drug Possession, Attacking Officers, Police Say Long Island Duo Nabbed for Drug Possession, Attacking Officers, Police Say
Long Island Duo Nabbed for Drug Possession, Attacking Officers, Police Say Two Long Island residents were charged with drug possession as part of a countywide operation against the use of opioids. Nassau County residents Joseph Betz, age 31, of Franklin Square, and Nicolette Cicchetti, age 30, of North Valley Stream, were arrested on Sunday, Sept. 5, following a traffic stop. According to detectives conducting an investigation in Franklin Square, information obtained led to the home of the Betz.  Detectives spotted Betz exit his home and enter his black 2021 Chevy Camaro. Detectives conducted a traffic stop, and as they approached the Camaro, Betz accel…
Opioids Drive Highest Number Of OD Deaths Ever In US, While NJ Holds Steady, CDC Reports Opioids Drive Highest Number Of OD Deaths Ever In US, While NJ Holds Steady, CDC Reports
Opioids Drive Highest Number Of OD Deaths Ever In US, While NJ Holds Steady, CDC Reports Call it a statistical oddity: Despite an historic spike in drug overdose deaths across the United States last year, the total reported for New Jersey ticked up barely 1% over 2019 – compared with an increase of more than 32% in New York, over 17% in Pennsylvania and more than 10% in Connecticut, the CDC reported. More than 93,000 people across the country died from drug overdoses amid last year’s COVID-19 pandemic, according to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. That total represented a 29.4% increase from the 72,151 deaths projected nationwide for 2019, according to an annual…
16 Charged In Drug Trafficking Bust After Probe Launched In Hudson Valley 16 Charged In Drug Trafficking Bust After Probe Launched In Hudson Valley
16 Charged In Drug Trafficking Bust After Probe Launched In Hudson Valley Authorities announced that 16 people were indicted for allegedly trafficking drugs in multiple states. New York State Attorney General Letitia James said the individuals trafficked prescription opioids and cocaine in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. James made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, July 14. We busted a major drug trafficking ring operating throughout New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.In our third major action in the past month, 16 individuals have been charged for their roles in flooding our communities with tens of thousands of opioid…
South Jersey Woman Arrested After Fatal Heroin Overdose South Jersey Woman Arrested After Fatal Heroin Overdose
South Jersey Woman Arrested After Fatal Heroin Overdose A 53-year-old woman from Burlington County faces multiple drug charges in connection with the fatal overdose of a Lumberton man, authorities said.  Linda Naulty, 53, of the first block of Cedar Street in Mount Holly, has been arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, failure to surrender narcotics and several other drug-related charges, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Lumberton Township Police Chief Nicholas Peditto. An unidentified man's fatal overdose could lead to upgraded charges against Naul…
West Chester Closed-Door Pharmacy To Pay $225K In Civil Penalties For Illegally Selling Drugs West Chester Closed-Door Pharmacy To Pay $225K In Civil Penalties For Illegally Selling Drugs
West Chester Closed-Door Pharmacy To Pay $225K In Civil Penalties For Illegally Selling Drugs A West Chester closed-door pharmacy has been ordered to pay $225,000 in civil penalties for illegally selling drugs after receiving warnings from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), authorities announced. A civil lawsuit alleges that Source One Pharmacy Services LLC -- which operates as a pharmacy that is not open for business to the general public --  improperly documented and distributed drugs including opioids, Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said. The complaint further alleges that Source One distributed some drugs to locations where the recipients …
West Philadelphia Doc, 80, Charged In Patient's Cocaine, Oxy Overdose Death West Philadelphia Doc, 80, Charged In Patient's Cocaine, Oxy Overdose Death
West Philadelphia Doc, 80, Charged In Patient's Cocaine, Oxy Overdose Death A West Philadelphia doctor is facing involuntary manslaughter charges after he prescribed his patient a combination of opioids that resulted in an accidental overdose of cocaine, oxycodone, and morphine, authorities announced Wednesday. An investigation showed that Dr. Walter Wrenn, 80, fabricated the patient’s diagnosis in order for Keystone First to approve filling the prescribed medications, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. The patient’s opioid prescriptions far exceeded the recommended 90 milligrams per day, Shapiro said. On Keystone First’s authorization form, Dr. Wrenn s…
NJ Senate Approves Bill Aimed At Preventing OD Deaths NJ Senate Approves Bill Aimed At Preventing OD Deaths
NJ Senate Approves Bill Aimed At Preventing OD Deaths The New Jersey Senate on Thursday approved a proposed law that would require doctors to prescribe Narcan when writing opioid pain management prescriptions for high-risk patients. At least seven states now require co-prescribing Narcan (naloxone) with opioids: Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Laws in California and Ohio require prescribers to offer naloxone co-prescriptions in certain circumstances. “It can make a difference in New Jersey, as well,” said state Sen. Anthony M. Bucco, R-Boonton, a co-sponsor of the measure, which had bi-partisan su…
Man Charged In Connection To Fatal Long Island Overdose Man Charged In Connection To Fatal Long Island Overdose
Man Charged In Connection To Fatal Long Island Overdose An accused Long Island drug dealer was arrested in connection to a fatal overdose. Nassau County Police Narcotics and Vice detectives arrested Woodside resident Juan Altagracia, 31, shortly before 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29 in Great Neck Plaza, the department announced. Altagracia’s arrest came as part of “Operation Natalie,” the Nassau County Police Department title for its “war against opioids,” as they investigated the fatal overdose of a Nassau County resident earlier this year. The investigation into the fatal overdose led detectives to Altagracia, who was arrested without inciden…
Police: Smallest Little Whorehouse In Paterson Raided Police: Smallest Little Whorehouse In Paterson Raided
Police: Smallest Little Whorehouse In Paterson Raided At street level it was a typical inner-city storefront, with a ground-floor business that offered travel, tax and mortgage services. But upstairs, Paterson police said, people were selling sex. Responding to complaints from merchants and residents, ABC/Vice Unit members raided the second-floor Main Street apartment, where they said men came and went all hours of the day and night. Two accused hookers were arrested along with an alleged manager. More than $900 in suspected proceeds was seized. Police said they also found a bag of coke and jar of pot. Charged with promoting prostitution and …
Grant Helps USR-Allendale Coalition Assist Families Dealing With Drugs, Other Youth Issues Grant Helps USR-Allendale Coalition Assist Families Dealing With Drugs, Other Youth Issues
Grant Helps Usr-allendale Coalition Assist Families Dealing With Drugs, Other Youth Issues A unique program aimed at reducing substance abuse while also tackling other troubling issues among young people in Allendale and Upper Saddle River will grow even stronger, thanks to a new federal grant, organizers said. The $625,000 National Drug Control Policy grant will be distributed evenly over five years to the USRA Coalition, said Upper Saddle River Mayor Joanne Minichetti, the group’s chairperson. The money will “both sustain and broaden the USRA Coalition’s programming and education,” Minichetti said. The USRA Coalition was created in 2017 in response to the increase in substan…
Self-Described ‘El Chapo Of Opioids' Doctor From Oakland Indicted Again, This Time By The Feds Self-Described ‘El Chapo Of Opioids' Doctor From Oakland Indicted Again, This Time By The Feds
Self-Described ‘El Chapo Of Opioids' Doctor From Oakland Indicted Again, This Time By The Feds An Oakland physician who already pleaded guilty to state insurance fraud charges has been indicted on federal counts of prescribing opioids without a legitimate medical reason and doctoring records to cover it up. FBI agents in May arrested Robert Delagente -- who they said called himself the “Candy Man” and the “El Chapo of Opioids” – during raids at two of his offices in Oakland. Federal authorities began investigating Delagente, 45, after two former employees accused him of firing them because they didn’t want to participate in his schemes. Delagente routinely prescribed oxycodone, Perc…
Suspect Charged In Connection To Fatal Long Island Overdose Suspect Charged In Connection To Fatal Long Island Overdose
Suspect Charged In Connection To Fatal Long Island Overdose A suspect has been charged following a fatal overdose on Long Island, police say. Narcotics/Vice Squad Detectives with the Nassau County Police Department arrested Damiean Landell Johnson, 25, of Queens on Tuesday, Dec. 3 around 6:30 p.m. Detectives were investigating a fatal overdose from North New Hyde Park as part of Operation Natalie, Nassau County’s War Against Opioids. Prior to his arrest, Johnson was found to be in possession of 10 bags of heroin and an additional quantity of marijuana, according to police. Johnson was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled s…
Fatal Overdose Leads To Arrest Of Accused Long Island Drug Dealer Fatal Overdose Leads To Arrest Of Accused Long Island Drug Dealer
Fatal Overdose Leads To Arrest Of Accused Long Island Drug Dealer An accused Long Island drug dealer has been charged in connection with a fatal overdose. According to the Nassau County Police Narcotics/Vice Squad, as part of Operation Natalie, the county’s war against opioids, an investigation into the fatal overdose in Massapequa led to the arrest of Andrew Roland, 34, of Bay Shore.  Roland was apprehended on Tuesday, Nov. 26 just before 7:30 p.m. in Massapequa,  where he was found in possession of two blue pills, believed to be oxycodone hydrochloride, police said. Roland was charged with third-degree criminal possession …
Man Charged In Connection With Fatal Overdose On Long Island Man Charged In Connection With Fatal Overdose On Long Island
Man Charged In Connection With Fatal Overdose On Long Island A 51-year-old man is in police custody for allegedly supplying the opioids that led to a fatal overdose on Long Island. As part of “Operation Natalie” - the code name for the Nassau County Police Department’s “war against opioids” - Nassau County Police Department and Port Washington Police Department investigators arrested Andrew Banks, of Manhattan, who allegedly supplied the drugs that led to the overdose in Port Washington. Banks was arrested at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19 in Manhattan. Police said that Banks was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a contro…