{"id":52087,"date":"2023-02-02T19:34:43","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T03:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=52087"},"modified":"2023-02-02T19:34:43","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T03:34:43","slug":"nine-arrested-for-illegally-distributing-1-5-million-opioid-pills-and-other-controlled-substances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=52087","title":{"rendered":"Nine Arrested for Illegally Distributing 1.5 Million Opioid Pills and Other Controlled Substances"},"content":{"rendered":"
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TEXAS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Nine Texas suspects were arrested this week in Houston on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in the unlawful distribution of 1.5 million opioid pills and other controlled substances.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to court documents, Kent Lyons, 52, of Houston; Roquel Turner, 47, of Manvel; and Traunce Alfred, 43, of Baytown, are charged with illegally distributing controlled substances, including oxycodone and hydrocodone. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"From August 2017 until late 2022, Lyons and Turner allegedly operated pill-mill pharmacies as fronts to obtain opioids in their highest-strength and immediate-release pill form.<\/span><\/p>\n

They then allegedly sold the drugs on the black market \u2013 without the involvement of patients, prescriptions, or doctors \u2013 to drug traffickers like Alfred. Lyons and Turner allegedly concealed the drug proceeds using numerous bank accounts and real estate transactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Lyons also allegedly used some of the proceeds to purchase luxury items, including a Rolls Royce, a Ford F-250, and a Mercedes Maybach.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to court documents, starting around December 2020, Dwain Ross, 52, and Delores Mackey-Ross, 43, both of Pearland, along with licensed pharmacist Ann Nguyen, 30, of Stafford, allegedly used pharmacies to illegally distribute and dispense nearly half a million pills of oxycodone and hydrocodone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dwain Ross and Mackey-Ross, along with David Ross, 53, of Houston; Kevin Peterson, 56, of Pearland; and Eleanor Marsh, 56, of Fulshear, also allegedly illegally ordered the opioid potentiators alprazolam, carisoprodol, promethazine with codeine \u2013 which are reported to enhance the high from opioids \u2013 from a pharmaceutical wholesaler and a pharmaceutical sales representative.<\/span><\/p>\n

They allegedly illegally distributed the opioid potentiators in bulk. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Lamborghini<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dwain Ross and Mackey-Ross allegedly used numerous bank accounts and real estate transactions to conceal their ill-gotten gains. Dwain Ross also allegedly used some of the drug proceeds to purchase a Lamborghini.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pharmacies alleged in the indictments to have been controlled by the defendants\u2019 drug trafficking organizations are K Med Pharmacy, Nex Gen Pharmacy, TX United Pharmacy, Power Center Pharmacy #2, DR Pharmacy, and Nu Care Pharmacy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Several other pharmacies, including P&A Pharmacy and Pearland Holistic Pharmacy, voluntarily surrendered their DEA Registration numbers, which a pharmacy needs to purchase pharmaceutical opioids and other controlled substances legally.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lyons, Turner, Alfred, Dwain Ross, Mackey-Ross, and Nguyen are each charged with illegally distributing Schedule II opioids. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dwain Ross, Mackey-Ross, David Ross, Peterson, and Marsh are each charged with the illegal distribution of Schedule IV drugs. Lyons, Turner, Dwain Ross, and Mackey-Ross are also charged with money laundering crimes. <\/span><\/p>\n

Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If convicted, Lyons, Turner, Alfred, Dwain Ross, Mackey-Ross, and Nguyen face up to 20 years on the top counts. <\/span><\/p>\n

David Ross and Peterson each face up to five years. <\/span><\/p>\n

Marsh faces up to 10 years if convicted. Court documents allege that over 15 bank accounts, four real properties, and several luxury vehicles \u2013 including a Rolls Royce, a Bentley, and a Lamborghini \u2013 were involved in, or acquired with proceeds from, the scheme, and are subject to forfeiture if the defendants are convicted. <\/span><\/p>\n

Trial Attorney Drew Pennebaker of the Criminal Division\u2019s Fraud Section is prosecuting the cases.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TEXAS Nine Texas suspects were arrested this week in Houston on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in the unlawful distribution of 1.5 million opioid pills and other controlled substances. 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