February 04, 2013
Contact: Public Information Officer
Number: 954-660-4602

FEB 04 (TAMPA, Fla.) – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division served Administrative Inspection Warrants (AIW) on five pharmacies located in the Tampa and Lakeland area.  The five pharmacies are owned and operated by Victor Obi-Anadiume and his family.

• Superior Pharmacy LLC: 5416 Town N’ Country Blvd, Tampa, FL
• Superior Pharmacy LLC d/b/a Tampa Bay Professional: 3007 West Cypress Street, Suite #1, Tampa, FL
• Hills Pharmacy, LLC: 7730 W. Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa, FL
• Jet Pharmacy, LLC: 2310 West Waters Avenue, Suite J, Tampa, FL
• Edge Pharmacy, LLC: 2039 East Edgewood Drive, Lakeland, FL

“Today’s action reflects DEA’s continued efforts to rid our state of the prescription drug abuse epidemic that has plagued Florida,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville.  “The DEA takes this matter seriously and will do our due diligence to ensure that all DEA registrants are in compliance with the provisions of the Controlled Substances Act for the purpose of protecting the public health and safety.”

All DEA registrants are subject to an inspection to ensure they are following federal laws and regulation of the Controlled Substances Act relating to the proper distribution of control substances.  Every DEA registrant has the responsibility to maintain effective control to prevent the diversion of control substances.  These administrative actions are to determine if these pharmacies are dispensing controlled substances outside of the scope of their registrations and in violation of federal laws and regulations.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, prescription drug overdose deaths exceeded motor vehicle deaths in 2009 and are responsible for more deaths than illegal street drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines.  Both in 2009 and the first six months of 2010, oxycodone and alprazolam caused the most drug related deaths in Florida.  Unfortunately this trend has continued into 2011 and 2012.