Kentucky Bureau of Investigation Seizes Load of Illegal Internet Drugs from Shipping Hub
Attorney General Stumbo’s Internet Pharmacy Legislation Enforced

FRANKFORT KY (August 3, 2005) - Attorney General Greg Stumbo today announced that agents of the Kentucky Bureau of Investigation (KBI) are in possession of 163 drug shipments seized from a Federal Express hub in Lexington. Alert FedEx employees contacted the KBI when the packages arrived at the hub from an unlicensed pharmacy in Florida.

“In total, approximately 10,000 highly addictive hydrocodone tablets were taken off the streets and out of the hands of addicts and dealers,” Stumbo said. The Attorney General worked with the DEA, Kentucky’s prosecutors, Kentucky State Police, Lexington and Louisville Police, The Justice Cabinet and the Board of Pharmacy to target rogue internet pharmacies through creation of Senate Bill 63.

“Together, we drafted one of the strongest laws in the nation to protect Kentuckians from this danger,” Stumbo added. “And Federal Express is to be commended for its vigilance in recognizing that the packages arriving at the hub were not from a registered internet pharmacy.”

The new law, which recently went into effect, forbids the sale and shipment of drugs by unlicensed Internet pharmacies. Already, many unlicensed pharmacies refuse to ship to Kentucky due to the penalties now in place. Attorney General Stumbo’s initiative ensures that prescriptions will be filled by legitimate, reputable pharmacies, while pushers will face felonies for selling drugs illegally. The KBI is now actively enforcing this law.

The new law requires Internet pharmacies to abide by the rules or face felony charges. Drug sellers must obtain a permit from the Board of Pharmacy. A toll-free number where patients can consult with a qualified pharmacist must be maintained. Pharmacies must also comply with the KASPER monitoring system and display certification that it is a “Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site.”

The KBI is providing commercial carriers like FedEx, UPS and DHL with a list of approved pharmacies to help them recognize those that are not licensed and are breaking the law. The Kentucky Board of Pharmacy maintains the list.

“We urge these carriers to be alert to what is passing through their hubs and call upon them to alert the KBI of suspicious packages from unlicensed pharmacies,” Stumbo said.

Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Ray Larson, also attended the press conference. “I have worked for years to stop the flow of drugs into Fayette County,” Larson said. “I’m happy to have Senate Bill 63 as a new tool in my arsenal to combat the influx of drugs to abusers and sellers.”