The Drug Enforcement Administration is raiding pain clinics, pharmacies and other locations in four southern states as part of a crackdown on prescription pain drug abuse.
A federal law enforcement official says the early-morning raids in Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi are the final stages of a nearly yearlong operation by the DEA's drug diversion unit. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe details of the ongoing investigation in advance of a public announcement about the raids.
Since last July about 140 people have been arrested, and agents expect as many as 170 more Wednesday. The official says suspects in the DEA's "Operation Pilluted" include doctors and pharmacists. The investigation is focusing on the illegal sale of opioid pain killers, including oxycodone and hydrocodone.
