DEA Alerts Americans to Deadly Illegal Online Pharmacies

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In a shocking rise in illicit activity, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning Americans about the proliferation of illegal online pharmacies peddling counterfeit pills laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine. Many unsuspecting customers are falling victim, believing they are purchasing legitimate medications such as Oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax from trustworthy sources.

As online shopping becomes the norm for obtaining essential medications, the DEA has issued a Public Safety Alert regarding a surge in fraudulent, often foreign-based websites targeting American consumers. Some of these deceitful operations are traced back to India and the Dominican Republic, where criminals masquerade as legitimate U.S. pharmacies, claiming to be FDA-approved.

These criminal enterprises go to great lengths to appear credible, boasting 24-hour customer service, fake online reviews, and enticing discounts. However, beneath their polished exteriors lies an operation collaborating with drug traffickers to deliver counterfeit pills to American doorsteps.

The consequences can be fatal. In a chilling case reported during Operation Press Your Luck, a woman in the U.S. ordered what she believed to be oxycodone online, only to receive a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl. The pill looked identical to the real medication, yet it was a lethal imitation. Tragically, she succumbed to acute fentanyl poisoning just days after ingestion.

The DEA has identified a list of fraudulent pharmacies linked to this dangerous scheme, including:

• www.Curecog.com
• www.Pharmacystoresonline.com
• www.Careonlinestore.com
• www.yourphamacy.online
• www.MD724.com
• www.Greenleafdispensarystore.com
• www.Whatishydrocodone.weebly.com
• www.Orderpainkillersonline.com
• www.USAMedstores.com

If you or someone you know has purchased medication from any of these sites, it is crucial to cease use immediately and report the incident to your local DEA office.

Remember, the only safe medications are those prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and dispensed by a reputable pharmacy.

Consumers are urged to remain vigilant when buying medications online. Red flags indicating a pharmacy may be illegitimate include:

• Selling prescription drugs without a valid prescription
• Offering prices significantly lower than the market average
• Listing prices in foreign currency
• Lacking proof of a valid pharmacy license or DEA registration
• Delivering medicines in damaged packaging or foreign languages
• Providing expired or improperly labeled medications

For further information on protecting yourself and your loved ones from counterfeit pills, visit the DEA's "One Pill Can Kill" resource page and the FDA's BeSafeRx campaign page for guidance on safely purchasing prescription medications online. You can also verify a pharmacy’s license through your state board of pharmacy.