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. 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. A large portion of these deaths have been . 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. WGCL reports agents began investigating after they were informed about suspicious activity at the property. Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they recovered 255 gallons of liquid methamphetamine solution and 5 kilograms of finished crystal meth. Regional Investigative Offices. Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) agents received information of suspicious activity occurring at the address of 2064 New Franklin Church Road, Canon, GA. Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. The investigation is ongoing. 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. Authorities also seized $205,000 in cash, two vehicles and two firearms. In July 2022, an investigation began into the alleged drug sales being conducted out of the residence. 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. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. An official website of the State of Georgia. 2023 Jacobs Media Corporation. Joseph M. Campbell, Task Force Commander. Photo: Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. This page is here to provide information to the citizens of North Georgia on the activity of ARDEO Investigative Offices & Services. Appalachia Hidta. Kentucky surpassed 2,000 drug overdose deathsin a single year for the first time ever, according to a newly released report. 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. The . 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 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. In July 2022, an investigation began into the alleged drug sales being conducted out of the residence. On Monday, August 22, 2022, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Habersham County Sheriffs Office, Cornelia Police Department, and Baldwin Police Department executed a search warrant at 1283 Shore Street in Baldwin, GA. 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. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Aaron Maupin, Counties: Four doctors, a nurse practitioner and a physicians assistant were charged with the unlawful distribution of opioids. The defendant allegedly knew that certain of these patients used their Medicare Part D and Medicaid benefits to pay for the medically unnecessary prescriptions. 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 FBI will pursue medical personnel who misuse their positions of trust to blatantly disregard others very lives for their own financial gain., The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact in the Appalachian region, said Principal Deputy Inspector General Chiedi. Information about substance abuse and opioids is available at the following websites: http://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/pharmacy/opioid-and-heroin.html, https://mh.alabama.gov/understanding-the-opioid-crisis/, Kentucky: If you are in Kentucky and are suffering with addiction you can find help by calling 833-8KY-HELP or logging in at Findhelpnowky.org, Ohio: If you are seeking help in Ohio, please call the OhioMHAS patient helpline, at 1-877-275-6364. Close. 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. EPCS mandate may request a waiver by submitting an EPCS Temporary Exemption Request Form. In a mental health crisis, call the Statewide Crisis Line: 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471). 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. In addition, HHS announced today that since June 2018, it has excluded over 2,000 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs, which includes more than 650 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse. 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 . 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. 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. 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 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. Departments of Veterans Affairs Office of Investigations. 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 Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. 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 . 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. Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office arrested a Gainesville man on October 26 who is accused of trafficking and selling drugs. as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, HHS Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the lab was equipped to manufacture crystal methamphetamine and was located in a horse stable. 35 year old Dustin Kellum of Lavonia . 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. We will not stand by and allow the harmful and oftentimes deadly practice of over-prescribing highly addictive drugs to continue unchecked. Separately, a pharmacist was charged for allegedly dispensing large amounts of opioids outside the usual scope of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose. Beckley, WV Central Regional Drug . 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. How you know. 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 Tennessee Office of Inspector General, and the West Tennessee Drug Task Force (28th District). Copyright 2022 WGCL Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. Cleveland, GA - The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) has introduced a new plan in its operating area to respond to drug overdoses. The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of sheriffs offices across the region, including Habersham County. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force, including the ARPO Strike Force, has charged more than 200 individuals with opioid-related crimes. Appalachia HIDTA Program Overview. Several law enforcement agencies arrested 15 suspects accused of participating in a North Georgia meth trafficking ring that circulated $3.5 million worth of drugs in the past five . Special Agent in ChargeTrent Hillsman This line is staffed Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT. 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. Guns, drugs, and other paraphernalia seized in Baldwin, Habersham County, GA. An official website of the State of Georgia. Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they recovered 255 gallons of liquid methamphetamine solution and 5 kilograms of finished crystal meth. Torrance Nicely, 34, was charged with trafficking fentanyl and the sale of heroin. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. 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. For a referral to addiction treatment services, call the Tennessee REDLINE: 800-889-9789. They executed a search warrant and discovered an active methamphetamine conversion lab inside one of the buildings. Two Gainesville men were arrested on Wednesday after a large amountof illegal drugs and cash were found at homes in Gainesville, Jefferson and Oakwood. Ryan Higginbotham. Special Agent in Charge Fred Wimberly 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. 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. In one case, the owners and operators of a medical clinic and dispensary were charged with the unlawful distribution of controlled substances and health care fraud. 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. 4 talking about this. In the Western District of Tennessee, 15 individuals were charged, involving eight doctors and several other medical professionals. Meriwether, Muscogee, Pike, Spalding, Our commitment is resolute. An official website of the State of Georgia. In the Middle District of Tennessee, federal indictments were unsealed today charging nine Middle Tennessee medical professionals, including four doctors, four nurse practitioners and a pharmacist, with various charges alleging their participation in illegally prescribing and dispensing opioids and other dangerous narcotics and health care fraud schemes. In the Northern District of Alabama, multiple individuals were charged in five cases, including four doctors. But the Department of Justice is doing its part to help end this crisis. 2022 Commonwealth of Kentucky.All rights reserved. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the U.S. In yet another case, a doctor was charged for allegedly prescribing opioids to Facebook friends who would come to his home to pick up prescriptions, and for signing prescriptions for other persons based on messenger requests to his office manager, who then allegedly delivered the signed prescriptions in exchange for cash. 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. 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. 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. A Forsyth County dog park is set to unveil a statue monument that will recognize canines who have served the armed forces. Torrance Nicely, 34, was charged with trafficking fentanyl and the sale of heroin. 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 . Talbot, Taylor, Troup, Upson. Appalachian RDEO; Southeastern RDEO; Southwestern RDEO; West Metro RDEO; Specialized Units. Contact Appalachian RDEO. Like many other regions of the United States, North Georgia communities have been inundated in recent years with drug overdose deaths. Kentucky surpassed 2,000 drug overdose deaths. Just four months later, this team of federal agents and 14 prosecutors has charged 60 defendants for alleged crimes related to millions of prescription opioids. Two cases involve doctors who were previously sanctioned by the Tennessee Medical Board in connection with the overprescribing of opioids, one of whom was sanctioned for providing prescriptions to vulnerable patients, while the other allegedly prescribed opioid pills after serving a Board imposed term of probation. The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy says fentanyl was identified in 73% of overdose deaths in 2021. Galax, VA WEST VIRGINIA. The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy says fentanyl was identified in 73% of overdose deaths in 2021. 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. In addition, the operation . Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Additional information regarding available treatment programs and where patients can turn for assistance is available as follows: Alabama: The Alabama Department of Mental Health has a dedicated telephone number to connect those affected by the closure. The investigation uncovered over seven types of drugs, and agents arrested two men. The ARPO Strike Force operates out of two hubs based in the Cincinnati, Ohio/Northern Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee, areas, supporting the 10 districts that make up the ARPO Strike Force region. 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. London, KY 40741. They estimate the street cost of all the . Authorities also seized $205,000 in cash, two vehicles and two firearms. The ARPO Strike Force is made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the 10 U.S. Attorneys Offices in the region, including the newly added Western District of Virginia, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. Charleston, WV Beckley-Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit. Nowhere is this collaboration more important than in our fight against the opioid crisis in America. Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Harris, Heard, 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. Banks, Barrow, Cherokee, Clarke, Dawson, Elbert, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Greene,Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lincoln, Lumpkin, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe,Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Taliaferro, Towns, Union, Walton,White, Wilkes. Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. 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. In another case, a doctor, a Florida compounding pharmacy and its owner were charged in connection with a scheme that involved the payment of alleged kickbacks in return for writing prescriptions for compounded drugs that included controlled substances, and for fraudulently inflating the costs for prescriptions that were billed for reimbursement by Medicare and TRICARE. The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriffs Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, Gilmer County, Fannin County, the Cleveland Police Department and the Toccoa Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Community Supervisor, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. An official website of the State of Georgia. Third Floor One of the firearms had reportedly been stolen. How you know. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Deanna Jury, Counties: 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. Two doctors were charged with health care fraud violations. To obtain the pills, the surgeon allegedly wrote out prescriptions using his DEA number, and in the names of a relative even though the pills were for his own use, using a drivers license that he had stolen from a colleague to obtain the pills from pharmacy. Investigators said they also recovered a car that cost over $10,000. Credit: Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.
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