More drug agents dispatched to Baltimore to assist with RX thefts
June 7, 2015
Baltimore - Several weeks after the death of Freddie Gray, in which six police officers have now been charged in connection with his death, more 'federal agents' (ie, DEA officers) are being sent to Baltimore to assist in investigating the mass looting of prescription drugs during riots following Gray's death. Apparently, the thefts of over 175,000 doses of narcotics have been reported from 27 different locations in Baltimore, and the number of stolen narcotics is actually expected to be much larger as many of the thefts (possibly up to half) have not yet been reported.
Freddie Gray died on April 19 while in police custody. Mass riots and looting then broke out and it was reported in USA Today that May was "one of the most violent periods in the city in nearly four decades, with 43 murders reported." An excerpt from the article published on USA Today that is dated June 5th is available below. The complete article can be read by following the link at the end of the excerpt.
More drug agents dispatched to Baltimore to assist with RX thefts
USA Today - June 5, 2015Additional federal agents are being dispatched to Baltimore to assist in the investigation of mass prescription drug thefts from 27 pharmacies and clinics during rioting following the April 19 death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.
An estimated 175,000 doses of narcotics have been reported missing; authorities have expressed concern that the wash of drugs may be a trigger for the recent spike in violence.
Last month was one of the most violent periods in the city in nearly four decades, with 43 murders reported.
Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Todd Edwards said Friday that about 10 additional agents would likely be deployed from Washington to assist in the theft investigations.
Edwards said that fewer than half of the drug entities have filed loss reports, indicating that the estimated drug losses would likely rise.
The pharmacies and clinics were looted in the wave of rioting prompted by Gray's death following his arrest by local police.