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
23 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: concerned citizen on Apr 21, 2009 at 04:38 AM
Something must be done to save our children from the drug pushers. Greed is an ugly word an the doctors who are profiting need to be lynched. What has happened to the justice system. Put them in jail
Posted by: lisa on Jan 16, 2009 at 03:05 AM
IF you don't know the true story then keep ur thoughts to ur self right and also about the gun deal i really don't see that happening either so people give it a break.
Posted by: Wrangler on Jan 11, 2009 at 02:12 PM
On the flip side of this I know that many people must travel out of state (especially Ky) to get proper pain management because doctors have been intimidated by the DEA and authorities not to prescribe opiates to people unless they are dying of cancer. Apparently Florida is a hotbed for prescription weilding doctors, and almost all online pharmacies operate out of that state as well. What's going to happen here is that eventually it will be made a crime to get a controlled substance from out of state, and when this happens...those who have a legitimate need will be out in the cold again with no treatment options. It takes only a few in comparison to ruin things for everyone else. Personally I couldn't imagine driving or flying a thousand miles to get a prescription of anything! There has to be something to ensure legitimate patients will be treated as neccessary with these medications. Just my thoughts. My wife has suffered for 10 years because of the war on drugs.
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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