Ongoing Problem of Illegal Prescription Drug Trafficking
Ongoing Problem of Illegal Prescription Drug Trafficking Save Email Print
Posted: 8:27 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Last Updated: 8:27 PM Dec 3, 2008
 Reporter: Randy Yohe
Email Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com
20 comments
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GREENUP, Ky. (WSAZ) -- How do police stop, or at least slow down, the flow of illegal prescription drugs between Florida and the Tri-State?

A trial in eastern Kentucky reveals that it's all about arresting the drug runners, as well as the doctors responsible.

Greenup County Sheriff Keith Cooper said Nikki Blair and Tessa Potts, both from the Portsmouth, Ohio, area, sold him about $5,000 worth of OxyContin and Xanax pills in an undercover drug buy. Blair and Potts, however, were not the only two in the car.

Greenup County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Bryant testified that a 2-year-old child also was in the back seat -- Potts' grandson. With a toddler asleep in a car seat, a drug buy with at least one party armed could have easily turned violent, according to Cooper.

"If they started shooting, we could not return fire because of the child," he said.

Also seized from Blair were numerous boarding passes for local flights to and from Florida. Cooper said the drug trafficking suspect is one of hundreds still flying pills back from the Miami area

At the federal courthouse in Ashland, about a dozen local members of what police call an organized ring of drug smugglers are getting set for sentencing and most likely prison.

The admitted drug ring leader also awaiting federal sentencing is Roger Browne, a Florida physician.

To slow down the Florida drug running, keep busting the bevy of Florida pill-pushing doctors, according to Cooper. He hopes the two suspects will lead him to some bigger Florida drug connection dealers -- maybe even a doctor or two.
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Posted by: john on Dec 12, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Its perfectly legal to go to florida to get pills. BUT using fake MRIs and such is not legal. I dont think the problem is "NO JOBS"... I think it is "TOO LAZY TO WORK" get real...you guys are killing each other off. I have no sympathy for a drug dealer, or the doctors writing the scripts
Posted by: concerned on Dec 12, 2008 at 12:04 AM
YES IT IS TRUE THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FLORIDA AND BRINGING THEM HERE TO SELL OR GOING TO ANOTHER STATE TO SELL THEM, I SAY SEND THEM TO FIGHT IN THE WAR INSTEAD OF SENDING THEM TO JAIL, THAT WAY THEY WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FEEDING THEM IN PRISON THEY ALL NEED TO BE SENT TO IRAQ GIVE THE OTHER MEN AND WOMEN A BREAK AND LET THEM COME HOME, I AM SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH MEN AND WOMEN IN JAIL THAT COULD BE SENT OVER THERE,
Posted by: catch'em all on Dec 9, 2008 at 05:57 PM
I say throw the BOOK at'em! they got caught they deserve to do time I do however feel sorry for the little child I can not believe a grandmother would put this small child in this postion.
Posted by: MOM on Dec 9, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I THINK IF YOU GET CAUGHT SELLING DRUGS OF ANY KIND, YOU SHOULD GO TO PRISON.. THESE PEOPLE ARE KILLING OUR KIDS OUR LOVE ONES.. THIS IS THEIR IDEAL OF MAKING MONEY.. WHY WE HAVE TO BURY OUR FAMILY..AND IF A DOCTOR DOES IT.. THEN HE SHOULDNT NEVER BE ABLE TO BE A DOCTOR NO WHERE IN THE UNITED STATES.. LET HIM LOSE 10 YEARS OF COLLEGE..AND SENT RIGHT TO PRISON. BECAUSE PEOPLE TRUST THEM TO HELP THEM. NOT HOOK THEM ON PILLS. SO THEY CAN CHARGE THEIR INSURANCE CARDS. AND GET RICHER....I DON'T KNOW HOW PEOPLE CAN LAY DOWN IN THEIR BEDS, SELLING DRUGS TO KIDS.PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND, IF THE OVERDOSE DON'T GET YOU. IT DESTROYS YOUR ORGANS BAD HEART, LIVER...IS THIS ALL WORTH IT!!! EVERY BODY IS IMPORTAIN AND LOVED BY SOME ONE... PLEASE GET HELP. DON'T LET PEOPLE LIKE THIS WIN... AND LET FAMILY SUFFER THE REST OF THEIR LIVES AFTER THEY BURY THEIR CHILD..
Posted by: TO FLATWOODS on Dec 8, 2008 at 11:29 PM
TO:FLATWOODS DEC 6,2008 10:33AM... WHO CARES WHO TOOK THE DOCTOR DOWN. IT BOILS DOWN TO THE DOCTOR WAS TAKEN OUT OF BUSINESS BY A JOINT INVESTIGATION IM SURE. NOT JUST ONE AGENCY DID ALL THE WORK. I DONT THINK WSAZ HAD ANY INTENTIONS TO MAKE ANY ONE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY LOOK ANY BETTER THAN ANOTHER IN THIS INCIDENT. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD THAT THE DOCTOR IS DONE. IT JUST KILLS ME TO THINK THAT SOMEONE WILL GET ON HERE TO MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT SUCH AS YOURS. WHO CARES WHO DID WHAT!!! I FEEL WSAZ DID THERE JOB IN WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO DO, AND THAT IS COVER THE STORY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IF F.A.D.E. DRUG TASK FORCE TOOK IT SO PERSONAL THAT THEY DIDNT GET CREDIT FOR IT, THEN THERE IS A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO IT. I SUGGEST THEY DO A PRESS RELEASE ON IT. TELL THE PUBLIC THE STORY. THEY SHOULDNT FEEL LIKE THEY WERE LEFT OUT. IM SURE THEY HAD A LOT TO DO WITH IT. IM PROUD OF THERE WORK AS IM SURE MANY OTHERS ARE ALSO. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, AND WSAZ KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ALSO..
Posted by: Flatwoods on Dec 6, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I like how WSAZ does this story and makes it look like Cooper and his boys had something to do with bring down Dr Browne. Well the true fact is that ALL the work was done by The F.A.D.E. Task Force not the Greenup County Sheriffs Department.
Posted by: Ashland resident on Dec 6, 2008 at 08:49 AM
It's not a matter of no jobs, you can't tell me that these people can't get a job at Burger King. It's a matter of people just being lazy, not wanting to work. Out to find a easy dollar. Here's a thought maybe if they leave the drugs alone, they could pass a drug test and get a job. These people are not good people, they are drug pushers...Hello. And how do you figure that they are good parents to their kids. Thats bull. They are putting their children in danger. Your kids are supposed to come first, not your drug habit. So, what happens when you get caught and go to jail. What becomes of your kids? A ward of the state, thats what. Unless you are lucky enough to have a clean, sober family memeber that can take care of them. So, I think everyone needs to start thinking of the minor children in these cases, instead of the drug dealer that gets put in jail. You people make me sick!
Posted by: sc on Dec 5, 2008 at 06:38 AM
seems to me, we need a new law that prohibites handing out prescribtions to out of states residents
Posted by: ky. against drugs on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I HOPE THEY CATCH ALL THE DEALERS AND USERS.ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!
Posted by: Lawrence Co. Resident on Dec 4, 2008 at 09:01 PM
I know for a fact that Louisa, Martin County, Fort Gay area is getting worse by the day. Overdoses and/or deaths are spiking. People want drugs to keep from going through withdrawl since they are already addicted. People are abusing drugs so bad that more and more painkillers are being added as "controlled substances." I know that some people, during these hard times, take advantage of getting drugs and selling them but these addicted people crave it like we crave food. They will go to any extent they have to in order to get it, even if it means injuring themselves. However, if there were more activity centers (YMCA, etc) around here the problem may not be as bad. There is nothing here! The law is helping here a little but for every arrest there are 10 new addicts. This problem is getting way out of control. Lawrence County Police will arrest drug addicts but if you have been robbed, killed, or beat up you might as well forget it because justice will never be served. God Be With Us!!!!!
Posted by: really?? on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:46 PM
did they really have a gun??
Posted by: well on Dec 4, 2008 at 04:25 PM
how will the suspects lead them to bigger dealers?? I mean if they are announceing that don't you think everyone has seen it and they will stear clear of these two??
Posted by: Justme on Dec 4, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Where I live the drug task force works with all doctors.They have all the names of everyone who get narcotics.Then people are randoming called in for a pill count.We do have a problem in our area with the pill junkies also.People who are truly hurt can't get a pain pill.But if your going to sell them,then you can get them.Makes no sense at all.
Posted by: Portsmouth Resident on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:51 PM
The problem lies in NO JOBS! People are desperate to make a buck, just like the people you judge are good people, love their kids, but have no way of getting a job at Burger King let alone if you ever was a felon for a driving offense.....it's not right but families and people need help in all these areas. And what do you do to the police after they have busted everyone, lay them off? I'm just saying someone needs to open a factory that can last and give everyone the same right to work. Thank you.
Posted by: Louisa on Dec 4, 2008 at 07:44 AM
To Anonymous yes this is a very big problem in our area. Have you not paid attention to the news, the people here lately who are being sentanced and arrested for this type of thing. The Law in Lawrence County is doing more then you think about this. But they can't do it all. It takes the community stepping up and coming forward to work with the police to find out who these people are and do something about it. But noone seems to want to do that. They just lay back and say nothing is being done. Then step up people!
Posted by: Maddi on Dec 4, 2008 at 02:29 AM
In order to crack down on the prescription drug problem I think the police should check into every doctor to see who they are giving out narcotic's and other medication to. And arrest those patients that are doctor hopping for more pain meds. Because that's where most of the drugs are coming from is the doctors who are giving to the patients and then the patients selling their drugs to everyone else. That would solve a lot of problems with prescription drugs.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 12:14 AM
This is also a big problem in the Louisa and Fort Gay area. But our problem is that the law has not done a thing about it.
Posted by: GL on Dec 3, 2008 at 11:40 PM
The problem is, partly, that it is perfectly legal to go to Florida and get prescriptions. The doctors are legal, they get MRI's and such, and prescribel the meds, which are filled in Florida. It is not illegal to go, not illegal to bring them back here, it is illegal to sell them and that is when the runners get caught. So it really can't be caught at the airport, because at that point the runner has done nothing illegal, they are carrying prescription drugs in their name, in prescription bottles, they can't be arrested for that. It is only when they get caught selling that something can be done.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 at 09:34 PM
all i can think of is those little kids and all the other little kids that have to deal with parents such as this they get to keep these kids tell they get caught it is so sad
Posted by: CW on Dec 3, 2008 at 08:56 PM
We should be stoping this in Tri-State Airport and all other Airports. They come in and out everyday there.
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The Yell: Comments for the Week of 1/4
  • Posted By: Fixed that for you: Any one who is paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them. Its simple NO TEST, NO CHECK. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for our money to go to people in government and on welfare who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: Chris to WSAZ: To all the workers and employees of WSAZ: Thank you for being there and allowing comments about the news.Our family watch only WSAZ news and enjoy each of you. I know that the recognition that you receive is little to none,but you deserve better.This goes out to the producers,cameramen,to everyone behind the scenes and the ones that are seen too. Thank you for having the best news program available to the public. God Bless Each and Everyone of You. Chris
  • Posted By: redbaron: in response to pablo on comment dated 01/06 - EXCUSE ME!! I do believe FIREFIGHTERS also risk their lives for total strangers and no they are NOT law enforcement!
  • Posted By: omg: I am so sick and tired of hearing how public school teachers are indebted to the public for their salary. Many of you are so freakin nosey that if your neighbor stopped too fast, you'd have to get a crane to remove your head from their rear. I am so tired of this drug test line. Teachers deserve to pee in peace and so do you. Why should teachers be forced to have their personal lives paraded all over the news? That is exactly what would happen. If a typical joe blow got fired from the coal mines for drugs, it wouldn't make front page news. A teacher being fired for drugs would. You people expect teachers to be the mother, father, grandparent, clergyman, counselor, as well as the teacher. You don't do anything with your kids but expect the teacher to fix all the problem you create. Some of them probably need drugs by the time they are done raising your spoiled kids who think the world owes them something on a silver platter. Take your own drug test before you get pregnant.
  • Posted By: Sophie: Re: The student (Hinzman?) being expelled for using foul language after being bullied & beaten on school grounds; you should not have been expelled for expressing your hurt, anger & disgust. You were a victim and did nothing. It is unreasonable to punish the victim - so what if he cussed - I'd cuss too if someone beat the beegeebers out of me. The kid who beat you should receive jail time & counciling; the kid who filmed you & released it on U-Tube should too. It has often been said that television is desensitizing our children so badly they have no empathy for others. This is a prime example. I hope the school board will have enough common sense to clear this victims school record of the incident as he should not have been expelled, and get him counciling also as such a trauma will surly have an effect on a young life.
  • Posted By: Boyd: Any one who is employed and gets paid by the general public, us, should have no problem taking urine tests. After all they are in the pubic debt for paying them for their work. Its simple NO TEST, NO JOB. This is not an attempt to violate rights, it is an attempt to enforce the publics right for federal, state and municipal employees who can be TRUSTED.
  • Posted By: George: As a parent I have no problem being drug tested. I'll stand in line right behind Katy.
  • Posted By: goodorbad: I look at it like this-if you dont have anything to hide, shut up and do the test!
  • Posted By: Rick: I think all teachers should be drug tested, I drive a transit bus for our county and I want the public to know I am drug free and teachers should want everyone to know the same, that their children are not in the care of people on drugs,if you have nothing to hide why object to random testing I know I don't
  • Posted By: Tea: I can't even imagine that our teachers have not been drug tested up until this time. Anyone who refuses should be fired. These are our children!!! People take drug test when they don't even work with people, let alone children. These are government jobs and we should have a say in what they have to do.
  • Posted By: Ari: Cheers to Rob-I feel ya!
  • Posted By: joe: I have worked for companies all over this nation and have had to take drug tests. Why should teachers be exempt from this practice? It is now common to be randomly tested(and I have been) so what makes a teacher any different than a steel worker. I can say proudly that I passed but I have seen those who didn't. They chose to use drugs and lost their jobs I didn't.
  • Posted By: Katy: As a teacher, I have no problem being randomly drug tested...as long as you agree to drug test the parents who enter the doors of my school as well. Most teachers deal with students who are exposed to/use more drugs and alcohol than any of the teachers. If these students or parents who are using drugs (and are not drug tested) enter our schools, the safety of the teachers and students are at risk. Since children spend more time with them, let's randomly drug test PARENTS, too!!!
  • Posted By: stephen: Why the heavy emphasis ont he damage to property and life Israel is doing . Where was the media uproar for years that Hamas was rocketing Israel irespective of innocent israelis.. Hamas is actualykilling their own citizens by firing rockets from UN schools and residents. Why does UN allow Hamas to use facilities for attacking Israel, then complain when Israel responds to protect their territory and citizens. Israel targets military targets, respons to from whence rockets or gun fire comes. What would we fire at if Huntington was attacked?Why does the media not put bla,e where balame belongs, and give moral support to the aggreived.What would America do if attacked? to whom would we listen? Russia, Saudi Arabia,Iran?.Media get REAL! Who has given Hamas and the Palestinians millions with which they could buy weapons---American taxpayers money!
  • Posted By: Robert: Although I feel for the employees that lost their positions at Cabell Huntington Hospital, at least more nurses were hired. I recently had a relative in the cardiac unit at Kings Daughters, in Ashland, and I was told that the nursing staff had been cut back and that no overtime was being given. This seems to be a drastic cut in patient care for a facility that spends thousands advertising that they are in the top 5% of cardiac hospitals in the country. I would be willing to wager that the Cleveland Clinic has not cut hours of those giving patient care.
  • Posted By: Boyd: If the state's budget is doing so well, why don't we use some of this money to help towns and cities in the state who are in trouble with their budget, or will this just become another pay raise for politicians?
  • Posted By: Rob: Why does everyone have to be so into using the term "racist" and have that kind of attitude. I know what my heritage is and who my ancestors were but you want to know what I consider myself? I AM AN AMERICAN! I was born and raised in this country and that's how I feel it should be. Born here, raised here.....then by God you are an American. Not an African American, not an Asian American etc. etc. You are an AMERICAN!
  • Posted By: Chris: To Ex-Officer: I agree with you 100% about the pay of police dept and the drug testing. I was formerly involved with the BCPD and had multiple ride alongs with the BCSO. I am probably one of their biggest critics due to having watch some of the bad side of the department for a long time. I wish that I could tell everything that I have seen officers do,which would put most of them behind bars or they'll lose their sheild, But retalliation is bad in our area. To the cops that do their job and do it with the best intentions, I proud of you and don't mean any disrespect. To the ones who I personally watch being more currupt then the "badguys" here,your day will be coming.
  • Posted By: Pablo: Teachers aren't the only ones underpaid. Law enforcement officers are underpaid also. And I'd like to speak about them. For example, I'm sure any parent would sacrifice their live for thier children. And several may give thier live to save their spouse. A few individuals may even do it for a close friend. But, I only know of 3 types of beings who will sacrifice thier lives for complete strangers; indeed even for people who hate them. The first would be our men and women in our armed forces. The second would be our law enforcement officers. And of course, third would be our Savior, Jesus Christ. Others are killed in the line of their employment, but not in order to save a complete stranger. Everytime a cop puts on his/her uniform, they can be a target for anyone upset about something. Even though it doesn't involve the cop personally, that very cop will give his life to save yours when a problem arises. We need to give our cops not only a wage, but a living wage and a great big THANKS.
  • Posted By: Craig: If what I am hearing is correct that Kanawha County teachers accepted a pay raise in return for submitting to drug testing, and then sued successfully so they do not have to be subject to testing, then why shouldn't we the taxpayers demand they return the raise?
  • Posted By: teresa: racist lmao i am one cherokee,german,irish,german,and who knows what else TIRED of hearing of racist comments u are either GOOD OR BAD k no skin color needed just evil or NOT
  • Posted By: Ex-Officer: I agree with Robert 100% I worked in law enforcement and loved the job but try to rise a family on less than 10.00 an hour (out of that pay for your own duty gear and gun). I believe that all public safety workers should be drug tested but i also believe that they should be paid for the job that they do. Not many people understand what a public safty worker goes through. Would you put your life on the line for this kind of pay? Remember the saying that you get what you pay for. I see this in several new officers in my area. Don't get me wrong there are still very good officers in law enforcement. Something really needs to be done about the low pay for these jobs.
  • Posted By: Garland: What's the difference between teachers and other workers(coal mineers, bus drivers, state employees,etc.)? Teachers aren't any better are they?
  • Posted By: : This is not a comment, but I would like comments on it please. What do you think of Poca High School? Racist or not?
  • Posted By: Robert: We the people, through our own self centeredness and apathy, have allowed our teachers and police officials to be some of the most underpaid people in the United States. We are trusting our childrens education and our public safety to the very people that are some of the most underpaid profesions in the U.S.. If I could change this, I would. However, I do believe that these people should be randomly drug tested. I work in the construction industry and I have no problem being drug tested. I have nothing to hide. I also believe that any person who is intrusted with the safety of others should have nothing to hide. This includes plitical officials up to and including the president.
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