It isn’t so rare to hear of prescription drug charges in the local courts. From possessing a prescription drug that wasn’t lawfully prescribed to you to forging prescriptions, these offenses seem to becoming more and more prevalent. It is rare, however, that the drugs in question would be life saving drugs for a disease rather than drugs used to get a high or to achieve an altered state.
Just this week, however, a Fairview man admitted he and two others were engaged in trafficking of HIV medication, more than $2 million dollars worth. They were arrested when found in the process of removing labels from about 6,000 bottles in their apartment.
According to NorthJersey.com, the neighbors reported a noxious odor coming from the apartment. The odor was from lighter fluid being used to remove adhesive on the pill bottles–this despite the windows being covered with plastic and attempts at covering the smell.
The men were engaged in obtaining these drugs, prescribed to hundreds of different people, removing the labels and eventually shipping them to the Dominican Republic. It isn’t clear if the D.R. was the pills’ final destination or if perhaps traffickers there sent them on to additional destinations.
Usually criminal prescription drug charges involve narcotics and other addictive mind altering controlled substance. It’s unusual to see HIV medications being illegally trafficked, and quite sad actually.
Regardless, found dealing in illegal prescription drugs can lead to a prison sentence, fines, and forever being labeled a convicted felon. Typically, even possession of a relatively small amount of prescription drugs (not lawfully obtained) is considered a 3rd degree indictable offense, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Sometimes, the means you use to get the prescription drugs in question can bring about another criminal charge altogether. Prescription drug fraud including forging prescriptions, stealing prescription pads, or altering a lawful prescription is an entirely separate offense.
The prescription drug trade is growing at a reportedly alarming rate. Highly addictive and often readily available, prescription drugs seem to be the new drug of choice for many. The response to such a trade is growing proportionately, with more and more cases of prescription drug crimes hitting the media.
If you are facing charges related to illegal prescription drugs in New Jersey, you could be facing years in prison. Contact me today for a free consultation on your case and to get assistance in understanding your options.