From small bodegas to tiny butcher shops, Fairfax County Police say unauthorized prescription drugs are being sold in a variety of spots across the county and they are working to stomp it out. Officers served over a dozen search warrants across the county today, seizing thousands of doses of painkillers, birth control pills, antibiotics and other drugs that were being illegally dispensed. Four shops in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County were listed as among those where search warrants were served today.
Customers typically pay cash between $5 -$25 per dose for the medications, stored in boxes within arms’ reach of the cashier. An undercover operation has targeted the problem over the past six months.
Police received a few sporadic reports from the Latino community that counterfeit drugs were being sold over the past several years, and stepped up their efforts to tackle the problem after a woman came forward when she became violently ill and been hospitalized after taking the drugs a few months ago.
Police are continuing their investigation and will make arrests and charges as appropriate.
Search warrants were served today at the following locations: Kings Corner (6138 N. Kings Highway, Alexandria), La Despensa (7500 Richmond Highway, Alexandria), Rico Supermarket (7849 Richmond Highway, Alexandria), Margarita’s Grocery (8512 Richmond Highway, Alexandria), El Compadre II (8723 Cooper Road, Alexandria), La Placita (2929 Gallows Road, Falls Church), San Miguel (5900 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church), Culmore Super Market (6019 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church), 99 Depot Plus (6229 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria), Mi Tierra Mercado (6531-F Little River Turnpike, Alexandria), Bestway (3019 Graham Road, Falls Church), Desi Bazar (6127 Backlick Rd, Springfield), and Mercado La Colonia (6971 Hechinger Drive, Springfield).
