Veronica Robinson, wtop.com
WASHINGTON — Fairfax County police raided 13 businesses across the county on Friday, serving search warrants at 11 a.m. at a range of locations from bodegas to a butcher shop.
Police Capt. John Piper says the businesses were selling birth control pills, pain killers and antibiotics.
Thousands of these drugs were seized as part of a six month undercover operation that began when residents of the Latino community complained, some saying they had become violently ill, police say.
“Most of the medication comes from Central America with no FDA approval, certainly no oversight from a physician and no oversight from a pharmacist,” says Piper.
Customers typically pay cash for the drugs between $5 and $25 per dose, Piper says. No arrests were made today, but according to Piper, police “do anticipate several arrests as a result of the investigation”.
Four of the businesses were shut down for alleged violations of health, zoning or fire codes.
The businesses raided in Alexandria were Kings Corner, La Despensa, Rico Supermarket, Margarita’s Grocery, El Compadre II, 99 Depot Plus, Mi Tierra Mercado. In Falls Church, La Placita, San Miguel, Culmore Supermarket and Bestway. And in Springfield, Desi Bazar and Mercado La Colonia.
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