Fairfax Police Raid 13 Businesses for Prescription Drugs

Around 75 Fairfax County police officers launched simultaneous raids on 13 businesses Friday morning in what the captain in charge of the operation says is probably the largest seizure of prescription drugs in county history.

Each of the businesses was allegedly selling counterfeit or smuggled drugs. Investigations into the businesses began after reports that the drugs were making people ill. Today's raid was the result of a nearly year-long investigation.

None of the businesses is located in McLean.

"The businesses catered to lower income, mostly Latino communities," said Captain John Piper, who commands the Fairfax County Police Department's intelligence division. Piper said that some people who purchased the drugs were immigrants, making them reluctant to report the faulty drugs to police.

Seven of the businesses are in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County. Four are in Falls Church, and two are in Springfield. All of the raided businesses are listed at the bottom of this article.

The seized drugs were primarily antibiotics, birth control and painkillers. According to police, they were allegedly available for between $5 and $25 at the stores. The drugs were typically openly available in the store and had to be requested from staff, according to police.

Piper said this is the largest seizure of prescription drugs in his 18 years in the department, and likely the largest in FCPD history.

While some of the drugs were counterfeit, most were just manufactured outside of the country. Police believe the drugs originated from Central American countries, including Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Text on a box of the antiobiotic Ampicilina said the drug was manufactured in India. 

"There's no quality assurance," Piper said, explaining the dangers of using medicine manufactured outside of country. Police say they've located a common supplier for at least three or four of the businesses.

During the investigation, Piper said, an undercover detective posed as a mother seeking medication for her children or birth control. In one instance, a store employee gave her medical advice, advising her to inject a needle filled with a birth control drug into her stomach.

While no arrests were made in today's operation, Piper said he expects some arrests to be made after the evidence seized today is analyzed. Those implicated in the investigation would face charges for dispensing without a license. 

Four of the raided businesses have been closed for code violations. Piper said he expects more of the businesses to close permanently.

Police also seized tens of thousands of dollars, as well as some counterfeit currency. Piper said the Secret Service has been contacted about the counterfeit money.

Raided Businesses

• Kings Corner - 6138 N. Kings Hwy, Alexandria VA 22303
• - 7500 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria VA 22306
• Rico Supermarket - 7849 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria VA 22306
• - 8512 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria VA 22309
• - 8723 Cooper Road, Alexandria VA 22309
• La Placita - 2929 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA 22042
• - 5900 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041
• Culmore Super Market - 6019 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041
• 99 Depot Plus - 6229 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria VA 22312
• Mi Tierra Mercado - 6531-F Little River Turnpike, Alexandria VA 22312
• Bestway - 3019 Graham Road, Falls Church, VA 22042
• Desi Bazar - 6127 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22150
• Mercado La Colonia - 6971 Hechinger Drive, Springfield, VA 22151