The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have issued warning letters to four website owners of rogue online pharmacies offering to distribute or dispense controlled substances, including opioids, and advertising their sale in violation of federal law.
This is the first time the agencies have issued such letters jointly, and combined, these website operators run 10 websites engaged in illegal activity.
“Issuing these warning letters is not only an effort to deter the availability of dangerous illegal opioids, but it is also a testament to the close cooperation between DEA and FDA,” explained Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon.
“We will continue to attack organizations that facilitate the sale of dangerous drugs, putting profit over public safety.”
Opioid addiction and abuse have created an immense public health crisis with a staggering death toll.
In 2017, there were 47,600 opioid overdose victims in the United States, which accounted for nearly 70 percent of all drug overdose deaths.
(A judge in the US has ruled that Johnson & Johnson must pay $572m (£469m) for its part in fuelling Oklahoma’s opioid addiction crisis. Courtesy of Sky News and YouTube. Posted on Aug 27, 2019.)
According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), there are currently tens of thousands of illicit online pharmacies.
Given the severity of the opioid epidemic, the easy availability of opioids via the internet poses significant risks to U.S. consumers.
Preventing rogue online pharmacies from further flooding our communities with opioids is critical to protecting the American public from harm.
“As the FDA works to forcefully tackle the opioid crisis on all fronts, we cannot allow rogue online pharmacies to continue to fuel the crisis by illegally offering opioids for sale and circumventing the important safeguards that have been put in place for opioids to help protect the public health,” added Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D.
“Today’s effort is also noteworthy because, while the FDA partners regularly with the DEA, this is the first time we have issued joint warning letters with them.”
“We remain committed to using all available regulatory and enforcement tools to stop the illicit flow of opioids online.”
(Purchasing medicine online doesn’t have to mean risking your health. NABP’s .Pharmacy Verified Websites Program helps you identify safe and trustworthy online pharmacies at a glance. Courtesy of National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and YouTube.)
The networks receiving warning letters include:
The DEA and FDA urge these operators to immediately cease offering for sale drugs in violation of federal law to U.S. consumers.
Website operators have 15 days to notify DEA and FDA of corrective action and remedial steps taken to address violations and prevent their recurrence.
Failure to address violations may result in legal action.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS), attorneys assigned to DEA’s Special Operations Division and Policy Unit provided substantial assistance in drafting the warning letters sent to these websites.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Nominated in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program drew an overwhelming response from industry leaders with a record high number of corporate and government nominations received, as well as record breaking ‘ASTORS’ Presentation Luncheon Attendees, with top firms trying to register for the exclusive high – end luncheon and networking opportunity – right up to the event kickoff on Wednesday afternoon, at the ISC East registration!
Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory
- The Department of Homeland Security
- The Department of Justice
- The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.
Final Nominations are now being accepted for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
2018 Champions Edition
See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’
Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!
And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!
2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Luncheon at ISC East
2018 Government Excellence Award Winners in the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
The following Government Agencies were recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards:
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Argonne National Laboratory, Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST)
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Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – DARPA, Subterranean (SubT) Challenge
(Learn About the DARPA Subterranean Challenge working with multidisciplinary teams from around the world to compete in the development of the autonomy, perception, networking, and mobility technologies necessary to map explore and search underground networks in unpredictable conditions. Courtesy of DARPAtv and YouTube.)
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Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Project Safe Childhood
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Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Project Safe Neighborhoods Program
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Department of Justice (DOJ) Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Personnel Management, Federal Risk Mgmt Process Training (FedRMPTP)
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DHS Federal Protective Service, Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST)
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DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK)
(The Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) is a gps communications tool that runs on a mobile device. It improves situational awareness by allowing users to know where their mission partners are located, regardless of affiliation, improves communications through a variety of applications and was successfully used in 2017 Hurricane operations in Houston and Puerto Rico. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)
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DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environ (EDGE) Virtual Online Training for First Responders
(DHS S&T’s Enhanced Dynamic Geo-Social Environment (EDGE) virtual training platform provides a safe, immersive environment where first responders, and now educators, can hone their skills and prepare for a multitude of incident responses. Built on the same video gaming platforms as popular titles like Fortnite, EDGE was intentionally designed to be easily accessed, easily used, and easily integrated into agencies’ existing training protocols. Courtesy of the DHS Science and Technology Directorate and YouTube.)
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DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Flood Apex Program Flood Sensors
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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),Violent Crimes against Children (VCAC) program
(Learn About the FBI VCAC Program, and hear from Special Agent Danielle Messineo, who works in the Crimes Against Children division, trying to prevent future victims by giving presentations to schoolchildren. Courtesy of USA Network and YouTube.)
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International Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACP), IACSP Training and Technology
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Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S), United States Multi-Service, Multi-Agency Task Force
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Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Detection & Emergency Response to envelopes containing the deadly poison ricin at a Pentagon mail screening facility
(Learn About the Joint Interagency Task Force South on Key West, Florida, a multi-agency, international alliance whose mission is to cover 42 million square miles of territory primarily in Central and South America to stem the flow of illegal drugs and to disrupt and dismantle sophisticated narco-trafficking networks. Much of that work is carried out on the high seas. Courtesy of Doug Brumbaugh and YouTube.)
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP Entry/Exit Program
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US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU)
(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operates the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit (HRVWCU) within the National Security Investigations Division (NSID). Preceded by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, HSI has more than 30 years of experience in successfully investigating human rights violators. The unit conducts investigations focused on human rights violations in an effort to prevent the United States from becoming a safe haven to those individuals who engage in the commission of war crimes, genocide, torture and other forms of serious human rights abuses from conflicts around the globe. When foreign war crimes suspects, persecutors and human rights abusers are identified within U.S. borders, the unit utilizes its powers and authorities to the fullest extent of the law to investigate, prosecute and, whenever possible, remove any such offenders from the United States. Courtesy of ICE and YouTube.)
Individuals Recognized for ‘Excellence in Homeland Security’ in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program are as follows:
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Edward Reinhold, Deputy Assistant Director, FBI (Ret)
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Joel McNelly, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
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Matt Quillen, Bristol Virginia Police Department
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Stanley I. White, Counterintelligence Advisor, the International Association for Counterrorism & Security Professionals (IACSP)
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Thomas Homan, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (Ret)
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Thomas O’Connor, President of the FBI Agents Association
2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program Industry Experts Include
Ameristar Perimeter Security, ATI Systems (Acoustic Technology Inc.), Attivo Networks, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Entrust Datacard, FLIR Systems, Hanwha Techwin, HID Global,
ISS – Intelligent Security Systems, Ivanti, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Milestone Systems, Lenel, LRAD Corporation, Milestone Systems,
Orolia, NICE, Pivot3, Rave Mobile Safety, Royal Holdings, Senstar Corporation, Smiths Detection, SolarWinds, Verint, Viasat, and More!
For a complete list of award winners, click here.
2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon
The highlight of the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program will be the Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East at the Javits Convention Center on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
AST focuses on New and Evolving Security Threats at All Levels of Homeland Security and Public Safety for personnel who are on the front lines of protecting our communities, cities and nation.
AST reaches both the private and public experts, essential to meeting today’s growing security challenges.
For Luncheon Sponsorship Opportunities and More, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com or call 732.233.8119 (mobile) or 646-450-6027 (office).
Proud Sponsors of the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program include ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Desktop Alert.
Be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!
Why American Security Today?
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.
Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into vital Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other Potential targets of terrorism.
These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
