Twenty-two pharmacists and doctors were arrested in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) largest-ever operation aimed at curbing prescription drug abuse. The 15-month “Operation Pilluted” targeted areas in Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and a total of 280 people were arrested on charges related to illegal pharmaceutical trafficking activities, the DEA stated in a press release. The focus of the operation was to find those involved in distributing and prescribing substances such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and Xanax. As a result of the operation, 51 vehicles, 202 weapons, and about $404,000 in cash was seized, and 73 seizure warrants led to a seizure of about $11.6 million, plus $6.7 million in real property. The agency also removed or restricted some DEA registrants from prescribing and dispensing controlled substances. The operation resulted in 2 “immediate suspension” orders. In addition, 40 DEA registrants voluntarily surrendered their registrations. – See more at: http://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/22-Pharmacists-Doctors-Arrested-in-DEAs-Operation-Pilluted#sthash.MRGLGB1i.dpuf