DEA Indicts 42 in $12M Pharmacy Burglary Ring

Federal authorities have indicted 42 individuals from Houston's Fifth Ward in the largest pharmacy burglary case in DEA history, involving break-ins at over 200 pharmacies across 31 states and thefts totaling $12 million. The organized crime ring primarily targeted rural, independent pharmacies, stealing controlled substances such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, Xanax, Adderall, and promethazine with codeine. The stolen drugs were transported back to Houston and sold illegally. The investigation, named 'Operation #Richoffmeds,' revealed that the burglars used sophisticated methods to evade security systems. Over the course of the operation, law enforcement arrested 18 suspects in November 2023 and an additional 24 in July 2024, seizing firearms, cash, and custom jewelry. This case highlights the pervasive and organized nature of pharmacy burglaries, primarily fueled by the demand for opioid medications.