The
arrests came as part of Operation CYBERx, which targeted over 22
rogue internet pharmacy stores.
“Operation CYBERx puts out of business alleged cyber criminals
who were selling powerful narcotics without legitimate
prescriptions to anyone with a computer and cash. These high-tech
drug dealers were fuelling addictions by selling the very drugs
intended to prevent and treat ailments – not inflict them,” said
DEA Administrator Karen P Tandy.
Internet-based illegal pharmacies allow abusers to easily access
pharmaceutical drugs from the comfort of their homes. Without a
doctor’s visit, sometimes without a prescription, without
consulting with a pharmacist, any drug abuser with enough cash
could have almost any quantity of prescription drugs, with
door-to-door delivery.
Each of those arrested owned and operated an “Internet
Facilitation Centre” (IFC), alleges the DEA. The IFCs funnelled
information from websites, took consumer orders and distributed
prescriptions to pharmacies where they were filled and shipped to
the customer.
According to the DEA, the alleged drug traffickers averaged more
than $50,000 a day in profits.
Among those arrested were alleged ringleaders Johar Saran, of
Arlington, Texas; Gaston Blanchet and Gil Lozano, of Miami,
Florida; S Ted Solomon, of Orlando, Florida; and Steve Rosner, of
Boca Raton, Florida.
Seven luxury cars, 2,400 cheques and money orders from
individual customers, and several boxes of cash were also seized by
investigators.
In addition to the search and arrest warrants, the DEA said that
20 doctors and 22 pharmacies nationwide who participated in the
enterprise would be served an order that would immediately suspend
their registrations.
