Protecting Your Rights And Your Future

Feds charge man with illegal distribution of prescription drugs

On Behalf of | Feb 7, 2015 | Drug Charges

One of the most critical drug problems that authorities struggle with in Arkansas and elsewhere involves the distribution of highly addictive narcotic pills, such as Hydrocodone. These are prescription drugs that may be prescribed by a doctor for severe pain. Sometimes, however, those who start taking the pills innocently for pain become hopelessly addicted to the powerful narcotic.

That, in turn, can lead to illegal attempts to obtain more of the drugs. A drug underworld has risen up just over these prescription drugs. Sometimes, a doctor or medical provider gets drawn into that underworld and provides prescriptions to patients and others. Sometimes, patients steal prescription pads from doctors’ offices. Other participants in the chain of distribution, such as pharmacists, can also become conspirators or simple sellers of these substances.

The Drug Enforcement Administration announced that its investigators arrested a pharmacist in Perry County on Jan. 28 for illegal distribution of a controlled substance, involving Hydrocodone and the habit-forming tranquilizer, Alprazolam. Authorities say that their undercover agent presented fake prescriptions for the pills to the suspect at the Big Star pharmacy. They allege that the defendant recognized the prescriptions as fake and proceeded to advise the agent on how to fix them to make them look more realistic.

At this point, the defendant must act as quickly as possible to retain and consult with experienced criminal defense counsel. Preferably, the man will do that prior to his bail hearing and will go into the hearing with prepared legal representation. The report of the facts of the arrest, if accurate, seems to indicate possible defenses that the man can pursue after discussion with his counsel.

For one thing, the nature of the conversation with the agent will assuredly have two different perspectives and slants. Counsel will want to determine whether the defendant was acting with criminal intent under Arkansas law at that time. It is impossible for the undercover agent to know what was in the defendant’s mind at the time. An innocent intent by the suspect may be portrayed through jaded eyes by an agent predisposed to believe that the suspect is acting with respect to the prescription drugs for criminal purposes.

Source: thv11.com, “Perry Co. pharmacist arrested on federal drug charge”, Jan. 29, 2015

Archives