The opioid epidemic is the deadliest drug crisis in American history, and Appalachia has suffered the consequences more than perhaps any other region, Attorney General William P. Barr said. An official website of the State of Georgia. Agents with the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office arrested a Gainesville man on October26 who is accused of trafficking and selling drugs. In the Eastern District of Louisiana, a neurologist at an alleged pill mill was charged with conspiracy to dispense controlled substances and conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Ryan Higginbotham. The FBI will pursue medical personnel who misuse their positions of trust to blatantly disregard others very lives for their own financial gain., The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact in the Appalachian region, said Principal Deputy Inspector General Chiedi. In addition, HHS announced today that since June 2018, it has excluded over 2,000 individuals from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs, which includes more than 650 providers excluded for conduct related to opioid diversion and abuse. Call 1-800-GEORGIA to verify that a website is an official website of the State of Georgia. A large quantity of marijuana, methamphetamine, a little over $3,000 cash, and multiple firearms were seized during a drug bust in Habersham . Investigators said they also recovered a car that cost over $10,000. Third Floor August 28, 2017. Jan 15, 2019. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which maintains 14 strike forces operating in 23 districts, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. The defendant allegedly knew that certain of these patients used their Medicare Part D and Medicaid benefits to pay for the medically unnecessary prescriptions. In addition to the ARPO Strike Force districts, todays enforcement actions include cases brought in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern District of Louisiana. The following individuals were arrested during this investigation: Christopher Kyle Lee (21, Alto) possession of methamphetamine, possession of firearm during commission of crime; Jennifer Sullivan (34, Baldwin) possession of methamphetamine; Erica Bergman (31, Dacula) possession of methamphetamine; Thomas Tommy Gannon (31, Alto) trafficking methamphetamine, possession of firearm during commission of a crime, possession with intent of heroin, and possession of oxycodone; Marina Whitaker (29, Clarkesville) possession of methamphetamine with intent, and possession of heroin with intent. The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Hall County Sheriffs Office, DEA Atlanta HIDTA, Georgia State Patrol, and Georgia National Guard Counterdrug Task Force investigated this case. State of Georgia government websites and email systems use georgia.gov or ga.gov at the end of the address. After a several month-long drug trafficking investigation conducted by the Banks County Sheriff's Office, Habersham County Sheriff's Office, and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), a search warrant was executed Friday at 741 Grant Mill Road in Alto and a traffic stop was made on Highway 365 in Cornelia. It is also vital that Americans struggling with addiction have access to treatment and that patients who need pain treatment do not see their care disrupted, which is why federal and local public health authorities have coordinated to ensure these needs are met in the wake of this enforcement operation. In addition to the cases announced today, Attorney General Barr and U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today that the ARPO Strike Force will expand into the Western District of Virginia, making it the tenth ARPO Strike Force district. This case was brought in connection with assistance from the DEA and HHS-OIG. In that case, the doctor also signed blank prescription forms to be completed by her staff when she was not at the clinic. Agents seized 13 pounds of fentanyl with a street value of $32,500 . We will continue to work tirelessly through investigation, data coordination and administrative action to protect the health and wellbeing of all Americans.. All rights reserved. $90,000 worth of illegal drugs found in Hall, Jackson C - AccessWDUN Two people were arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in a multi-agency drug investigation in Elbert County. During the execution of the search warrants, authorities seized 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 130 grams of crack cocaine, 100 grams of methamphetamine and 18 pounds of marijuana. In addition, the operation . The Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which is part of a joint initiative between the Department of Justice and HHS to focus their efforts to prevent and deter fraud and enforce current anti-fraud laws around the country. The ARPO Strike Force is made up of prosecutors and data analysts with the HCF Unit, prosecutors with the 10 U.S. Attorneys Offices in the region, including the newly added Western District of Virginia, and special agents with the FBI, HHS-OIG and DEA. Joseph M. Campbell, Task Force Commander. Addressing this public health issue and ensuring beneficiaries have continuity of care requires a collaborative approach with our federal, state, and local partners. London, KY 40741. A month-long investigation has led to the arrest of two people in Lavonia on drug trafficking charges. In addition, the operation includes the participation of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, multiple State Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and other federal and state agencies. Torrance Nicely, 34, was charged with trafficking fentanyl and the sale of heroin. Beckley, WV Central Regional Drug . Send by mail to Drug Enforcement and Professional Practices Branch at the address shown on the form or by email to KASPER.. The Appalachia HIDTA mission is to enhance and coordinate drug enforcement efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies within areas designated as High Intensity . One of the firearms had reportedly been stolen. The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-jurisdictional unit which includes the following sheriff's offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson . An official website of the State of Georgia. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are anticipated. Major Habersham County drug bust nets five | 11alive.com Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure youre on an official state website. Authorities also seized $205,000 in cash, two vehicles and two firearms. Investigative Offices & Services. Guns, drugs, and other paraphernalia seized in Baldwin, Habersham County, GA. An official website of the State of Georgia. Authorities also seized $205,000 in cash, two vehicles and two firearms. For help accessing substance abuse or mental health services call the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Helpline: 800-560-5767 or 615-532-6700. In addition to assistance provided by the FBI, DEA, HHS-OIG, these cases were brought in connection with assistance from the U.S. 2440 Old Athens Hwy In the Western District of Tennessee, 15 individuals were charged, involving eight doctors and several other medical professionals. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Tazewell County Drug Task Force. According to the indictment, between October 2015 and October 2017 alone, the pharmacy allegedly dispensed over 1.75 million pills. The Hall County Commission approved on Thursday a rezoning request allowing for the construction of a medical office and self-storage facility on Thompson Bridge Road near Mount Vernon Road. An official website of the State of Georgia. In another case, a doctor, a Florida compounding pharmacy and its owner were charged in connection with a scheme that involved the payment of alleged kickbacks in return for writing prescriptions for compounded drugs that included controlled substances, and for fraudulently inflating the costs for prescriptions that were billed for reimbursement by Medicare and TRICARE. Regional Investigative Offices. How you know. According to the CDC, approximately 130 Americans die every day of an opioid overdose. Copyright 2022 WGCL Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. In the Eastern District of Tennessee, at total of eight individuals, including five doctors, a nurse practitioner, a physicians assistant, and an office manager were charged in four cases. All rights reserved. Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. 35 year old Dustin Kellum of Lavonia . Click the map image above to see the counties we serve. Four doctors, a nurse practitioner and a physicians assistant were charged with the unlawful distribution of opioids. The search warrant and traffic stop yielded approximately 100 grams of meth, approximately 15 grams of heroin, firearms, pills, and other illegal narcotics along with several thousand dollars. as well as law enforcement partners at the FBI, HHS Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Cornelia, GA 30531, 2023The Northeast Georgian, Cornelia, Georgia. Another case alleges that a doctor prescribed opioids and other controlled substances to at least four individuals. Agents seized 13 pounds of fentanyl with a street value of $32,500 during the arrest. Todays announcement sends a clear message that investigations involving diversion of prescription drugshavebeen, andcontinueto be, a priority for DEA., CMS CPIis proud to work very closely everyday with our law enforcement partners to stop the exploitation of vulnerable patients and misuse of taxpayer dollars, said Deputy Administrator and Director of Center for Program Integrity Alexander. Two doctors were charged with health care fraud violations. The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy says fentanyl was identified in 73% of overdose deaths in 2021. Sgt. Third Floor Agents seize $7.8 million worth of liquid meth in drug bust operation Tennessee: If you are seeking help in Tennessee: West Virginia: If you are in West Virginia and are suffering with addiction you can find help by calling 1-844-HELP-4WV or logging in at https://HelpandHopeWV.org, For individuals seeking help in other states, please call 1-800-662-HELP. Agents seize $7.8 million worth of liquid meth in drug bust operation Buford man shot during robbery, police searching for suspects, Forsyth County dog park to unveil statue honoring military canines, Hall County Commission approves self-storage, medical office on Thompson Bridge Road, MITRE determines Georgias elections are secure, $90,000 worth of illegal drugs found in Hall, Jackson County drug busts, Gwinnett County Police search for missing Dacula man, Burt Jones wins Republican nomination in lieutenant governor's race, Various Memorial Day events planned for North Georgia, Two Gainesville men arrested for drug trafficking, Arrest made in the death of a Gainesville homeless man. Welcome to AHIDTA | AHIDTA