All posts containing the tag: "dea"
Posted Jan 27th 2010 12:56PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Douglas' son pled guilty today in Manhattan federal court to two felony drug charges.
Cameron Douglas -- who was arrested last year after a 3-year investigation by the DEA -- pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of heroin.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the controlled substances involved in the first count were "500 grams and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine" and "five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine."
Douglas faces a minimum of 10 years behind bars.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Tags: cameron douglas, CameronDouglas, Cocaine, DEA, Michael Douglas son, MichaelDouglasSon, plea
Posted Jan 11th 2010 8:30AM by TMZ Staff
Dr. Conrad Murray -- who is in the crosshairs of the Michael Jackson homicide investigation -- is in no position to even discuss plea bargaining a criminal case ... this according to his lawyer.
Attorney Michael Flanagan tells TMZ he has already been in touch with Pat Dixon, the Head Deputy District Attorney in the L.A. County D.A.'s office, and Dixon is not sharing any info about the case against Dr. Murray. According to Flanagan, Dixon said he can't share information in a case that could go to the L.A. County Grand Jury.
A spokesperson for the D.A.'s office tells TMZ Flanagan did speak with Dixon on Friday, but all Dixon said was he could not discuss the case. The spokesperson says Dixon never mentioned a possible grand jury.
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: dea, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, investigation, j. michael flanagan, J.MichaelFlanagan, la county district attorney, LaCountyDistrictAttorney, lapd, michael jackson, pat dixon, PatDixon
Posted Nov 23rd 2009 1:52PM by TMZ Staff
Dr. Conrad Murray went back to work at his Houston, TX office this morning -- despite being the target of ongoing investigations by the DEA, the Texas Medical Board and the LAPD in connection with Michael Jackson's death.
Anyone need a checkup?
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Tags: dea, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, houston, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, texas medical board, TexasMedicalBoard
Posted Nov 23rd 2009 1:35PM by TMZ Staff
Here's the kind of "Twilight" merchandise you really don't want your kids getting their hands on -- baggies of heroin with a cartoon of Rob Pattinson's face printed on them.
DEA Special Agent Erin McKenzie-Mulvey tells us the heroin baggies with "Twilight" characters were seized recently in West Hempstead, Long Island. The "Twilight"-themed baggies have been gaining popularity over the last couple of months.
New York Special Agent in Charge John Gilbride tells TMZ a dime bag of heroin in New York is cheaper than a six pack of beer.
Filed under: Movies, Twilight, Exclusives
Tags: DEA, heroin, new york, NewYork, rob pattinson, RobPattinson, twilight
Posted Nov 23rd 2009 12:42PM by TMZ Staff
Dr. Conrad Murray's Houston, TX patients may be interested .... the Texas Medical Board is investigating the good doc.
DEA sources tell TMZ its investigation into Dr. Murray's prescribing practices in connection with Michael Jackson is still active. When the DEA investigates a TX doctor ... the DEA contacts the Texas Medical Board and that routinely triggers a Texas Medical Board investigation.
And law enforcement sources tell us the Texas Medical Board has been working with the DEA on the Conrad Murray probe.
Dr. Murray's rep could not be reached for comment.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: dea, dr conrad murray, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, DrConradMurray, medical, medical board investigation, MedicalBoardInvestigation, michael jackson, MichaelJackson
Posted Oct 30th 2009 3:30PM by TMZ Staff
"Big Brother" winner Adam Jasinski is once again stuck in a small area with people he doesn't like, because the judge in his drug trial called him a flight risk today and denied his bail.
Jasinski was in federal court in Massachusetts today, after he was arrested by the DEA earlier this month while carrying 2,000 oxycodone pills as part of an alleged drug deal.
Today the federal judge decided Jasinski was a flight risk, a danger to society and had violated his probation from a 2004 marijuana arrest ... so his bail was denied.
After Jasinski was arrested, he allegedly admitted he was using his "Big Brother" winnings to buy large quantities of drugs.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice
Tags: adam jasinski, AdamJasinski, arrest, bail, big brother, BigBrother, dea, denied, drugs, reality
Posted Sep 16th 2009 2:01PM by TMZ Staff
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the Michael Jackson homicide case will be presented to the L.A. County District Attorney in 3 to 4 weeks.
We're told the lion's share of the investigation has been completed and Dr. Conrad Murray remains the singular target. Our sources say LAPD detectives have requested opinions from several medical experts who will analyze the evidence and offer their opinions on Dr. Murray's conduct.
The medical experts are supposed to submit their finding in 2 to 3 weeks and we're told detectives need an additional week to assemble their evidence before they make a formal presentation to the D.A.
Law enforcement sources also say an arrest will not be made before Dr. Murray is charged with a crime -- of course that assumes he will be charged.
The case is complicated by the fact that Jackson had been taking various medications, even though the evidence is compelling that Propofol was the direct cause of Jackson's death.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: da, dea, death investigation, DeathInvestigation, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, lapd, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, murder homicide, MurderHomicide, prescription drugs, PrescriptionDrugs, probe, propofol
Posted Aug 24th 2009 7:00PM by TMZ Staff
Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's friend and doctor, wrote dozens of prescriptions for powerful controlled substances for himself, according to a search warrant obtained by TMZ.
We got hold of the affidavit for the search warrant that allowed the DEA to raid Mickey Fine Pharmacy in Beverly Hills -- the pharmacy Dr. Klein often used to fill prescriptions for Michael Jackson, often using aliases.
According to the affidavit, records show Dr. Klein self-prescribed 27 times from March, 2006 through May, 2009. The prescriptions include "the medications hydrocodone (Vicodin), modafinil (Provigil), diazepam (Valium), and injectable midazolam (Versed). The prescriptions were filled at Mickey Fine Pharmacy in Beverly Hills.
According to California law, "No person shall prescribe, administer, or furnish a controlled substance for himself."
It is not known if Dr. Klein used the prescriptions for himself or possibly for Michael Jackson. We do know Dr. Klein often prescribed to Jackson using various aliases.
Interestingly, the affidavit states Dr. Klein's lawyer told the DEA that his client "has never self-prescribed."
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: dea, death, dr. arnold klein, Dr.ArnoldKlein, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, pharmacy
Posted Aug 21st 2009 2:24PM by TMZ Staff
The DEA is at Mickey Fine Pharmacy in Beverly Hills, warrant in hand, raiding the pharmacy that Michael Jackson used for years.
Law enforcement sources tell us they are searching for evidence of "improper dispensing of controlled substances," in connection with the death of Michael Jackson.
The pharmacy was used extensively by Dr. Arnold Klein and other doctors who treated Michael Jackson. Jackson obtained prescriptions for Demerol and many other drugs at Mickey Fine.
Mickey Fine sued Michael Jackson in 2007 for non-payment of a bill of more than $100,000. The case settled.
UPDATE: 4:51 PM PT Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the DEA found irregularities in Mickey Fine's drug dispensing practices when it came to Michael Jackson. Agents are searching records at the pharmacy for the various aliases Jackson used.
They are also looking at the drugs various doctors -- including Dr. Arnold Klein -- prescribed for the singer. And, we're told, one of the "irregularities" agents believe occurred is that the pharmacy may have refilled prescriptions that should not have been refilled and completely bypassed the doctor.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: dea, dr. arnold klein, Dr.ArnoldKlein, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, mickey fine pharmacy, MickeyFinePharmacy, raid
Posted Aug 13th 2009 5:01PM by TMZ Staff
We just got off the phone with Hospira Inc., one of the Propofol manufacturers mentioned in the Las Vegas warrant used to search a pharmacy connected to Dr. Conrad Murray.
It appears law enforcement believes Hospira manufactured one of the bottles of Propofol found in Michael Jackson's home after he died.
A rep from Hospira tells us "Hospira is one of a number of companies that currently produce Propofol. Hospira has no information regarding the manufacturer of the alleged bottles of Diprivan/Propofol at Michael Jackson's home. Any licensed health care provider could purchase drugs from many sources, including wholesalers and other distribution channels."
Translation ... they won't say if law enforcement has contacted the company -- though we know the DEA has already contacted the manufacturers of the Propofol lots found in Jackson's home.
The company also appears to be saying ... once it leaves their facility, they have no idea where it goes.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: DEA, diprivan, hospira, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, propofol
Posted Aug 13th 2009 1:45AM by TMZ Staff
The pharmacy that was raided in Las Vegas Tuesday has something in common with Dr. Conrad Murray -- both apparently have had money problems.
We've pulled documents showing Applied Pharmacy Services, LLC was sued by the owners of the building it occupied in Pasadena, CA. for non-payment of rent. The landlord got a judgment of $143,267.73 -- that includes around $40,000 in back rent plus the amount that would have paid through the balance of the lease, which ended in September, 2011. The pharmacy abandoned the lease in September, 2008.
Dr. Murray was also dogged by money problems -- the bank has been trying to foreclose on his Las Vegas home, and he was ordered to jail for non-payment of child support (he never went).
Law enforcement sources told us when they searched Applied Pharmacy Services they were on the hunt for documents that might show the company sold Propofol to Dr. Murray. There are reports the DEA scored during the search.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: DEA, dr conrad murray, DrConradMurray, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, money, pharmacy
Posted Aug 3rd 2009 8:00AM by TMZ Staff
We've learned Dr. Conrad Murray has a storage unit in Las Vegas -- and there seems to be a growing connection between the doctor's storage rentals in Vegas and Houston.
Dr. Murray has a 10x20 unit at a Public Storage facility in Las Vegas. We've learned an employee of Dr. Murray's came to the unit as recently as July 30 with Dr. Murray's credit card number on a piece of paper and paid the rental fee. We do not know if items were removed or stored at that time. Dr. Murray missed the July 15 deadline to make payment and he was charged a late fee.
We're told one of the four people authorized on Dr. Murray's behalf to come and go at the facility is Stacey Howe -- someone who figured prominently when Dr. Murray's Houston storage unit was raided last month. Federal agents seized correspondence addressed to Stacey Howe, and we're told the agents asked the manager of the storage facility if she knew of Howe.
When agents raided Dr. Murray's Houston medical practice, they seized two Yahoo e-mails from Stacey Howe.
Law enforcement believes Dr. Murray may have had Propofol -- the drug they believe killed Michael Jackson -- stored in the various storage units for shipment to the singer, though as far as we know they do not have proof ... at least not yet.
We do not know if the Vegas storage unit has been searched pursuant to a warrant.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: dea, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, raid, search, stacey howe
Posted Jul 31st 2009 6:00PM by TMZ Staff
The reports that Michael Jackson spent the last night in his bedroom are not true -- we've learned Jackson spent his last hours in Dr. Conrad Murray's bedroom ... in Dr. Murray's bed.
Multiple law enforcement sources tell us Jackson did not want people going in and out of his room, so he used Dr. Murray's bedroom for his IV Propofol. We're told Dr. Murray administered the Propofol to Jackson hours before he died, while the singer lay in Murray's bed.
Law enforcement believes Dr. Murray may have been using his room almost nightly to administer Propofol to Jackson. Emergency workers found an IV stand, an empty IV bag and oxygen tanks in Dr. Murray's room. And as we first reported, the Monday after Jackson died, cops found a stash of Propofol and other drugs hidden in a closet connected to Dr. Murray's room.
We've already reported Dr. Murray left the room at some point when Jackson was receiving an IV drip of Propofol and may have fallen asleep. Cops believe by the time he awakened Jackson's heart may have already stopped beating.
We're told Dr. Murray was not in Jackson's house during the day. He would show up in the evening and leave in the morning. Law enforcement believes the doctor may have regularly gone to Jackson's home at night to administer Propofol so the singer could sleep.
Law enforcement believes Dr. Murray could have discovered Jackson sometime around 9 AM the day of his death. One theory cops are working under ... after discovering Jackson either in distress or dead, Dr. Murray called two employees at his medical office in Houston and told them to go to his storage unit and remove certain boxes. Both women told TMZ Dr. Murray did not call them but cops are dubious. The stories of the two women conflict -- one says a box of dirty needles was retrieved; the other says she went to retrieve a chair.
As for what may have been in the boxes, law enforcement is investigating whether Dr. Murray had Propofol delivered to his Houston medical office ... possibly put in his storage unit ... and then FedEx'd to Los Angeles as needed.
Dr. Murray rented the storage unit April 1 and the staff went back on 4 different occasions before Jackson's death.
We know when the DEA raided Dr. Murray's Houston medical office, they seized a rolodex card with FedEx information.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: dea, death, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, fed-ex, houston, Michael Jackson, MichaelJackson, propofol, search
Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:57PM by TMZ Staff
A turf war between Las Vegas law enforcement on one hand and the DEA and the LAPD on the other could have compromised yesterday's raids on Dr. Conrad Murray's office and home ... according to multiple law enforcement sources.
We're told the DEA and LAPD wanted to conduct simultaneous raids in Houston and Las Vegas to maintain the element of surprise ... but the Vegas raids were delayed 6 days.
Sources say the D.A. in Vegas threw up road blocks and delayed for days before going to court to obtain a search warrant ... A member of the D.A.'s office told us it's routine for prosecutors to be "careful" in securing warrants.
But sources in other agencies involved in the searches scoff at the D.A.'s concerns, claiming this was nothing more than the D.A. wanting to call the shots.
And several sources say the Vegas police slowed things down by trying to take the lead over the DEA in executing the warrants.
One top law enforcement official says, "There was more than enough probable cause to get a warrant." Another law enforcement officer called the actions of the D.A. and police "a power grab."
The Vegas raids were conducted yesterday ... 6 days after the Houston raid. That gave Dr. Murray more than enough notice that the other shoe was about to drop.
The Las Vegas D.A. would not comment. As for the Vegas PD, a spokesman told us "We're not aware of any feud over the action involving this warrant."
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: dea, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, las vegas, LasVegas, medical records, MedicalRecords, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, prescription drugs, PrescriptionDrugs, raid, search
Posted Jul 29th 2009 1:15AM by TMZ Staff
More bad news for Dr. Conrad Murray -- the bank is trying to foreclose on his Las Vegas home ... the one that was filled with DEA agents yesterday.
According to the Clark County Recorder's Office, Dr. Murray owes more than $15,000 in back payments to Irwin Union Bank.
Sources tell us Murray recently took out a $1.6 million loan -- but the bank says he stopped paying back in January, and now they have just filed a "Notice of Default" document.
In order to keep the house, Murray not only has to come up with the $15k -- he is also responsible for any possible late fees, unpaid taxes and insurance costs he may have accrued.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: DEA, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, mortgage payments, MortgagePayments
