Mailed Drugs Stolen: Two More Cases

Three people are suspected of stealing mail packages, some of which including medicine deliveries from Gwinnett County, Georgia homes.

Two additional cases of mailed pharmaceutical delivery theft have come under police scrutiny in the U.S.

In the first case, three people are suspected of stealing mail packages, some of which including medicine deliveries from Gwinnett County, Georgia homes.

WSBTV reports that the suspects allegedly drove around neighborhoods in Buford, Suwanne and Sugar Hill looking for packages on the front steps of homes. Then they replaced the stolen packages with empty boxes. They are suspected of stealing medicine and clothing, among other items. Nine cases of swapped packages have been reported, but police believe that there are more and are asking victims to come forward.

In addition to this case in Georgia, a Bristol, Tennessee mail carrier has pleaded guilty to mail theft and drug possession charges in connection with breaking into residents mail and steal the prescription drugs contained in the packages, reports the Kingport Times News.

Prosecutors say that beginning in 2009, the carrier began opening prescription drug mailers sent to residents along her route, removing a portion of the pills for her own use, then resealing the mailer to conceal her actions. Drugs taken were primarily hydrocodone and diazepam, court records state.

The carrier then delivered the package to the intended recipient and obtained a signature upon delivery, as required for narcotic medications.

According to the plea agreement, law enforcement officials caught the carrier breaking into the mailers in May 2010 after she opened a package from the Veterans Administration that contained a concealed signaling device that would notify investigators when it was opened.

An additional case of mailed pharmaceutical theft from a veteran is being investigated in Petersburg, VA.