In the Western District of Kentucky, a doctor was charged with controlled substance and health care fraud counts in connection with providing pre-signed, blank prescriptions to office staff who then used them to prescribe controlled substances when he was out of the office, and for directing staff at the clinic, including individuals not licensed to practice medicine, to perform medical services on patients. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Aaron Maupin, Counties: In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, the Office of Personnel Management, the U.S. Marshalls Service, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the Caln Township Police. Investigative Offices & Services. An official website of the State of Georgia. A dentist was charged for alleged conduct that included writing prescriptions for opioids that had no legitimate medical purpose and that were outside the usual course of professional practice, removing teeth unnecessarily, scheduling unnecessary follow-up appointments, and billing inappropriately for services. The Hall County Commission approved on Thursday a rezoning request allowing for the construction of a medical office and self-storage facility on Thompson Bridge Road near Mount Vernon Road. In yet another case, a doctor allegedly dispensed controlled substances and other prescription drugs directly from the clinic, and prescribed excessive quantities of controlled substances to the same patients several times per month resulting in as many as 15 pills per day for some patients. In another case, a doctor allegedly recruited prostitutes and other young women with whom he had sexual relationships to become patients at his clinic, while simultaneously allowing them and their associates to abuse illicit drugs at his house. 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. Major Habersham County drug bust nets five | 11alive.com Ryan Higginbotham. An official website of the State of Georgia. Casey Bubba Michael Tyler, arrested for possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute schedule Xanax, four counts of possession of a firearm by convicted felon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; Steven Wayne Boyd, arrested for four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Christopher Austin Maney, arrested for possession of methamphetamine; Cheyenne Star Wheeler, arrested for possession of methamphetamine. The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy says fentanyl was identified in 73% of overdose deaths in 2021. Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force Takedown Official websites use .gov ARDEO Establishes New Plan in Drug Overdose Response In July 2022, an investigation began into the alleged drug sales being conducted out of the residence. Two doctors were charged with health care fraud violations. The investigation uncovered over seven types of drugs, and agents arrested two men. Appalachian RDEO - Georgia Bureau of Investigation Investigative Division Large Methamphetamine Lab Dismantled in North Georgia 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. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. 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. Sgt. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. KRS 218A.182 took effect Jan. 1, 2021 and mandates electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS) in Kentucky. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force, including the ARPO Strike Force, has charged more than 200 individuals with opioid-related crimes. A Buford man suffered non-life-threatening injuries Friday evening after he was shot during what authorities believe was an attempted robbery. GAPS - Georgia Applicant Processing Service, Georgia Criminal History Record Restrictions, Obtaining Criminal History Record Information. For additional information about Appalachian RDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for, Facebook page for Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Twitter page for Georgia Bureau of Investigation, , arrested for possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute Xanax, four counts of possession of a firearm by convicted felon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Five Arrested on Drug and Weapons Charges in Baldwin, GA. In the Northern District of Alabama, multiple individuals were charged in five cases, including four doctors. The defendant allegedly knew that certain of these patients used their Medicare Part D and Medicaid benefits to pay for the medically unnecessary prescriptions. Agents seize $7.8 million worth of liquid meth in drug bust operation The drugs had an approximate street value of $91,850. 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. ARDEO investigation nets five suspects, along with drugs, guns and cash Investigators said they also recovered a car that cost over $10,000. This case was brought in connection with assistance from the DEA and HHS-OIG. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. How you know. Attorney General William P. Barr and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex M. Azar II, together with multiple law enforcement partners, today announced enforcement actions involving 60 charged defendants across 11 federal districts, including 31 doctors, seven pharmacists, eight nurse practitioners, and seven other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in the illegal prescribing and distributing of opioids and other dangerous narcotics and for health care fraud schemes. 18 month investigation yields drug arrests - mainstreetnews.com State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. 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. Another doctor charged with controlled substances violations allegedly prescribed approximately 4.2 million opioid pills, sometimes in dangerous combinations with other drugs, such as benzodiazepines, and prescribed opioids to known addicts. The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of sheriffs offices across the region, including Habersham County. Special Agent in ChargeTrent Hillsman Region 2 | Georgia Bureau of Investigation Investigative Division In addition, the operation . Task Forces | AHIDTA Talbot, Taylor, Troup, Upson. Torrance Nicely, 34, was charged with trafficking fentanyl and the sale of heroin. Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office said they recovered 255 gallons of liquid methamphetamine solution and 5 kilograms of finished crystal meth. A large quantity of marijuana, methamphetamine, a little over $3,000 cash, and multiple firearms were seized during a drug bust in Habersham . For any patients impacted by the law enforcement operations, DOJ, DEA, HHS-OIG, HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and all five State Departments of Health are deploying federal and state-level strategies to address patient harm and insure continuity of care. 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. Drug task force arrests Clarkesville man for trafficking meth near 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. Todays takedown demonstrates the FBIs unwavering commitment to working alongside our Strike Force partners, including the HHS-OIG and DEA, to fight the opioid epidemic and related criminal activity in the Appalachian region, said FBI Executive Assistant Director Hess. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. 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. Tennessee: If you are seeking help in Tennessee: West Virginia: If you are in West Virginia and are suffering with addiction you can find help by calling 1-844-HELP-4WV or logging in at https://HelpandHopeWV.org, For individuals seeking help in other states, please call 1-800-662-HELP. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. Tazewell County Drug Task Force. Two people arrested in multi-agency drug investigation They estimate the street cost of all the . 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. But the Department of Justice is doing its part to help end this crisis. 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. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are anticipated. In that case, the doctor also signed blank prescription forms to be completed by her staff when she was not at the clinic. In addition, the APRO Strike Force works closely with other state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, State Medicaid Fraud Control Units. Kentucky surpassed 2,000 drug overdose deathsin a single year for the first time ever, according to a newly released report. Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force, DEA Middle TennesseeDrug and Violent Crime Task Force, Domestic Highway Enforcement Interdiction Plus, Middle Tennessee Drug Related Death Task Force, Sullivan County Drug-Related Death Task Force, Southwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force, Beckley-Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, Hancock Brooke Weirton Drug & Violent Crime Task Force, Huntington Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, Parkersburg Violent Crime and Drug Task Force, 400 South Main Street Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office arrested a Gainesville man on October 26 who is accused of trafficking and selling drugs. Credit: Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. In the Eastern District of Kentucky, a total of five people were charged, including three doctors, a dentist and an office assistant who were charged in connection with several health care fraud and/or controlled substance schemes. 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. According to authorities, 34-year-old Dustin Burgess and 30-year-old Uriel Mendoza were arrested and are facing several drug-related charges. EPCS mandate may request a waiver by submitting an EPCS Temporary Exemption Request Form. Three of these cases are related to alleged pill mill operations in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Five Arrested on Drug and Weapons Charges in Baldwin, GA 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. Several arrests were made across North Georgia as the culmination of an 18-month investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the White County Sheriff's Office, the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office and the Hall County Sheriff's Office. $90,000 worth of illegal drugs found in Hall, Jackson C - AccessWDUN A month-long investigation has led to the arrest of two people in Lavonia on drug trafficking charges. 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. On Monday, August 22, 2022, the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Habersham County Sheriff's Office, Cornelia Police Department, and Baldwin Police Department executed a search warrant at 1283 Shore Street in Baldwin, GA. Copyright 2022 WGCL Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. The search warrant and traffic stop yielded approximately 100 grams of meth, approximately 15 grams of heroin, firearms, pills, and other illegal narcotics along with several thousand dollars. Primary: (706) 348-7410. For help accessing substance abuse or mental health services call the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Helpline: 800-560-5767 or 615-532-6700. 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. Nowhere is this collaboration more important than in our fight against the opioid crisis in America. In the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a former licensed practical nurse allegedly filled fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone in her name and in the names of others at a local pharmacy in order to obtain the pills for herself and to distribute to others.

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