Florida Brothers Charged With Stealing $80 Million in Prescription Drugs

August 05, 2012

Florida Brothers Charged With Stealing $80 Million in Prescription Drugs

In 2010, the largest prescription drug heist in U.S. history took place in an Enfeld, Connecticut, warehouse owned by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co.

Two brothers, Amed and Amaury Villa, who are Cuban nationals living in Florida, allegedly conducted the intricate theft over a five-hour nighttime period. They used various tools, including a forklift and a tractor-trailer, to haul the drugs out of the warehouse and then the state. The theft was apparently possible because the alleged burglars climbed the walls, cut a hole in the roof and then lowered themselves into the building with ropes. They then disabled the security system and loaded the expensive anti-depressants and other medications into their truck.

The stolen drugs included Prozac, Gemzar, Cymbalta and Zyprexia, as well as various cancer and psychiatric medication. Federal authorities believe the alleged thieves were attempting to sell the drugs on the black market.

They were caught in part based on evidence that Amed Villa had allegedly touched a water bottle at the facility and left it there.

Some of the drugs were recovered from a Florida storage facility. A total of 11 men were charged with various crimes associated with attempting to sell the prescription medication.

Prescription Drug Theft

The theft and distribution of legal prescription drugs has become a large concern for Florida law enforcement. Florida has recently begun to crack down on so-called "pill-mills," which are pain clinics that dispense prescription pain relievers without medical cause. For example, Florida authorities now have a database that lists both the doctor and patient when the doctor prescribes pain medication, and also track the pharmacy used to fulfill the prescription.

Other legally prescribed pills are also available on the black market. Whether it is to get high by abusing certain prescriptions, such as Oxycontin or Ritalin, or simply to obtain a drug more cheaply than through legal methods, the theft of prescription drugs has become a major focus of Florida's enforcement activities in recent years.

If you have been charged with the theft or trafficking of prescription drugs, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to ensure your rights are defended in court.

Article provided by Brown & Rice, P.A.
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