The AJC reported today that forty-four people have been arrested and charged with participating in the illegal distribution of opioids across the metro Atlanta area.

The arrests are linked to the ongoing criminal case of Dr. Joe Burton, who was a renowned medical examiner for several metro Atlanta counties before being charged in 2017 for illegally distributing opioids and trading prescription drugs for sex.

While little is known so far about the individuals arrested and what exactly they were accused of doing, the arrests appear to be the federal government’s latest response to the opioid crisis. The Department of Justice has vowed to pursue individuals who they suspect are illegally distributing opioids, including doctors who issue prescriptions in the ordinary course of their medical practice.

Our firm has seen several instances of federal prosecutors overreaching and charging innocent doctors for issuing “too many” opioid prescriptions. We’ve also defended individuals who are not doctors and who were charged with conspiring to distribute opioids and other controlled substances.

We have obtained favorable results for clients facing similar charges, including getting charges dismissed, securing deals in which our clients can plead to a lesser charge, and several “not guilty” verdicts at trial.

If you have been charged with distributing illegal drugs, or believe you are the target of a federal drug conspiracy investigation, contact our firm immediately for a consultation with Page Pate or one of our other experienced defense attorneys.