Federal authorities have charged five individuals in connection with an alleged burglary ring that targeted rural pharmacies across western Iowa and western Nebraska in 2022 and 2023. The Omaha field division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the charges on Thursday, linking the suspects to a larger nationwide conspiracy.
Alleged Burglary Ring and Federal Charges
The DEA claims that the five individuals are part of a broader operation being prosecuted in Arkansas. The federal investigation has identified 42 suspects from Houston, Texas, accused of breaking into more than 200 pharmacies across 31 states, stealing an estimated $12 million worth of controlled substances.
According to the DEA, the stolen drugs, including highly addictive substances such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, Adderall, and Xanax, were transported to Houston and sold illegally on the black market.
“These five individuals mistakenly thought that targeting rural communities would provide an opportunity to commit a crime and fade into the wind unrecognized and unaffected,” said DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell in a statement.
Pharmacy Burglaries Nationwide
The DEA highlighted that 900 pharmacy burglaries were reported across the United States in 2023, resulting in the theft of approximately 3.8 million doses of controlled substances. Within the DEA’s Omaha division — which encompasses Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota — there have been 34 reported pharmacy break-ins since 2022. Nebraska led with 17 incidents, followed by Iowa with 11.
Impact on Rural Communities
The targeting of rural pharmacies has raised concerns about the vulnerability of these communities to organized crime. The DEA’s investigation continues to uncover the extent of the burglary ring’s operations and the impact on small towns in the Midwest.
Federal authorities are urging pharmacies, especially those in rural areas, to increase security measures and remain vigilant against potential threats. The prosecution of the five individuals charged in Iowa and Nebraska is part of a broader effort to dismantle the burglary ring and prevent further illegal distribution of controlled substances.
