In breaking news, a Houston-based criminal ring has been apprehended for targeting rural Iowa and Nebraska pharmacies. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) reports that five individuals have been arrested in connection with a series of break-ins that occurred between May and June of 2022 and 2023.
This notorious ring is responsible for over 200 pharmacy burglaries nationwide. Among the drugs stolen were Hydrocodone, morphine, Adderall, and Xanax. The authorities are urging affected individuals to remain vigilant and refrain from making any phone calls, including emergency calls, until service is restored.
5 individuals allegedly involved in a burglary ring have been accused of specifically targeting pharmacies in rural areas of Iowa and Nebraska.
Five individuals are facing federal charges for their involvement in an alleged burglary ring that targeted rural pharmacies in western Iowa and western Nebraska between 2022 and 2023, according to authorities. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Omaha, Nebraska field division has accused these individuals of being part of a larger conspiracy that is currently under prosecution by federal authorities in Arkansas.
The DEA has stated that a total of 42 people from Houston, Texas have been charged with breaking into over 200 pharmacies across 31 states, resulting in the theft of approximately $12 million worth of controlled substances.
These stolen drugs, which include hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, Adderall, and Xanax, were taken to Houston and illegally sold. DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell commented, “These five individuals mistakenly believed that targeting rural communities would provide them with an opportunity to commit crimes and go unnoticed and unaffected.”
In 2023 alone, a total of 900 pharmacy burglaries were reported nationwide, resulting in an estimated loss of 3.8 million doses of controlled substances. Within the DEA’s Omaha division, which encompasses Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, a total of 34 pharmacy break-ins have been reported since 2022. With 17, Nebraska had the most break-ins, followed by Iowa with 11.
Five individuals suspected to be part of a burglary ring are now facing federal charges for their involvement in a series of break-ins that specifically targeted rural pharmacies in western Iowa and western Nebraska between 2022 and 2023, authorities revealed on Thursday.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Omaha, Nebraska field division has accused the five individuals of being involved in a larger conspiracy that is currently being prosecuted by federal authorities in Arkansas. According to the agency, a total of 42 people from Houston, Texas, have been charged with breaking into over 200 pharmacies across 31 states. It is estimated that they have stolen controlled substances worth approximately $12 million.
According to the DEA, the stolen drugs, which included hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, Adderall, and Xanax, were unlawfully transported to Houston and sold on the black market.
DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell stated that these five individuals mistakenly believed that targeting rural communities would give them a chance to commit a crime and go unnoticed and unharmed.
According to a statement by the DEA, there were a total of 900 pharmacy burglaries reported across the country in 2023. These burglaries resulted in an estimated loss of 3.8 million doses of controlled substances. In the Omaha division, which encompasses Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, there have been 34 reported pharmacy break-ins since 2022. With 17, Nebraska had the most break-ins, followed by Iowa with 11.
