Saturday, May 5, 2012

Feds in Florida bust 11 people in pharmacy theft ring

Two years ago, thieves pulled off a brazen heist of about $80 million worth of prescription drugs from an Eli Lilly warehouse in Connecticut — the largest theft in that state’s history.

Turns out, there was a Miami connection — a big one.

Federal agents Thursday busted a Miami-based ring of 11 people on charges of conspiring to sell anti-depressant, cancer-treatment and other drugs stolen from the pharmaceutical giant’s warehouse. Among them: alleged ring leader Amaury Villa, 37, of Miami, who also was charged in Connecticut with playing a key role in the Eli Lilly warehouse burglary.

His brother, Amed Villa, 46, also of Miami, was charged in the Connecticut theft but not in South Florida.

Overall, members of the South Florida ring were charged with conspiring to sell and distribute prescription medications, liquor, cigarettes and cellphones allegedly ripped off from various warehouses and tractor-trailers around the country.

The total value of the stolen products came to more than $100 million, a staggering sum authorities said makes it the largest takedown involving cargo theft in U.S. history.

The FBI’s top agent in South Florida said the undercover investigation, dubbed Operation Southern Hospitality, dealt a “major blow” to the Miami-based network.

“The effects of this case will be felt nationwide,” John V. Gillies said at a news conference at the U.S. attorney’s office.

Gillies, noting the investigation began in 2009 before the Eli Lilly heist, said the feds recovered all the medications stored in thousands of boxes.

None of them — including Xanax, Prozac and other brand names — were ever resold on the black market to consumers or pharmacies.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer said the defendants, all of whom are in custody, showed a “callous disregard for the safety and health of the ultimate consumer who might buy and use these drugs, unaware of their questionable past.”

Miami Herald

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