As part of this investigation, federal agents bought counterfeit Xanax from the suspects on the “dark web” with bitcoin.
Two Floridians were detained in Inverness Wednesday for racketeering and many other charges for their role in selling fake drugs on the dark web.
Following a comprehensive, yearlong joint evaluation by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), CCSO’s Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) detained both 53-year-old Benjamin Burdick and 29-year-old Catilynkyrie Burdick of Inverness, Florida. They have been taken into custody and are being held at the Citrus County Detention Facility without bond.
On October 14, 2020, law authorities conducted a legal search warrant in 3766 South Susan Point in Inverness. As part of this investigation, federal agents bought counterfeit Xanax from the suspects on the “dark web” with bitcoin, which resulted in the search warrant being accessed.
A detailed search of the house exposed several parts of manufacturing, distribution, and sales equipment which were gathered to comprise: a tablet, pill binder mixer, USPS mail envelopes, USPS shipping boxes, an Accupost scale, vacuum cleaner and bags, a bag containing 5 kilograms of tablet binder, a digital scale with different bowls and cups which contained a white powdery residue.
Detectives found numerous Ziploc and vacuum-sealed bags containing counterfeit Xanax pills and white pills stamped with G7322, which is marketed as prescription Alprazolam. Moreover, approximately 16,000 pills (net. weight 15 lbs.) Pre-packaged in numerous sizes and bags were found during the search. Detectives also seized $143K in U.S. money, which have been profits from the internet counterfeit drug sales, together with several firearms.
Benjamin Burdick, W/M (DOB 08/22/1967) was detained on the following charges:
Florida State Statute 893.0356 ownership of new material, called a controlled substance analog, which was made to make a desired pharmacological effect and to evade the controlling statutory provisions, and has a potential for abuse similar to or greater than that of the substances controlled under chapter 893, to wit: Etizolam.
Florida State Statute 817.564 possession and/or distribute an imitation controlled substance, to wit: Etizolam.
Florida State Statute 831.31(1)(a) sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a counterfeit controlled substance, to wit: Xanax/Alprazolam.
Florida State Statute 465.0161 distribute medical drugs via an online pharmacy without a license, to wit: Flualprazolam.
Florida State Statute 893.13(6)(a) possession of a controlled substance, to wit: Cocaine.
Florida State Statute 893.13(6)(a) possession of a controlled substance, to wit: Steroids.
Florida State Statute 893.13(6)(a) possession of a controlled substance, to wit: THC wax.
Florida State Statute 893.13(6)(a) possession of a controlled substance, to wit: Marijuana (over 20 g ).
Florida State Statute 322.212(1)(a) have any blank, forged, stolen, fictitious, counterfeit, or unlawfully issued driver’s license or identification card or some other instrument in the similitude of a driver’s license or identification card unless the section has approved ownership by such person.
Florida State Statute 893.13(1)(a) sell, manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a controlled substance in a structure or conveyance where any child under 16 years of age is present, to wit: did fabricate counterfeit Xanax in the house.
Florida State Statute 817.034(4)(a) scheme to defraud and obtains property which has an aggregate value of $50K or more, in violation of Florida State Statute 817.034(4)(a); to wit: used counterfeit driver permit to lease USPS P.O. Box.
Florida State Statute 895.03(1) receives any proceeds derived, directly or indirectly, from a pattern of racketeering activity to wit: racketeering activity is defined as offenses involving contraband adulterated or misbranded drugs, to wit: counterfeit Xanax.
Florida State Statute 893.147(1) possession with the intent to use, or did unlawfully use, an item designed or intended for use in storing, concealing or injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body, a controlled substance, to wit: bowls, strainers, pill press, baggies, packaging material, punches and die tools and scales.
Catilynkyrie Burdick, W/F (DOB 10/26/1990), was detained on the following charges:
Florida State Statute 893.0356 ownership of new material, called a controlled substance analog, which was made to make a desired pharmacological effect and to evade the controlling statutory provisions, and has a potential for abuse similar to or greater than that of the substances controlled under chapter 893, to wit: Etizolam.
Florida State Statute 817.564 possession and/or distribute an imitation controlled substance, to wit: Etizolam.
Florida State Statute 831.31(1)(a) sell, manufacture, or deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a counterfeit controlled substance, to wit: Xanax/Alprazolam.
Florida State Statute 465.0161 distribute medical drugs via an online pharmacy without a license, to wit: Flualprazolam.
Florida State Statute 893.13(6)(a) possession of a controlled substance, to wit: Cocaine.
Florida State Statute 893.13(6)(a) possession of a controlled substance, to wit: THC wax.
Florida State Statute 893.13(6)(a) possession of a controlled substance, to wit: Marijuana (over 20 g ).
Florida State Statute 893.13(1)(a) sell, manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a controlled substance in a structure or conveyance where any child under 16 years of age is present, to wit: did fabricate counterfeit Xanax in the house.
Florida State Statute 817.034(4)(a) scheme to defraud and obtains property which has an aggregate value of $50,000.00 or more, in violation of Florida State statue 817.034(4)(a); to wit: used counterfeit driver license to lease USPS P.O. Box.
Florida State Statute 895.03(1) receives any proceeds derived, directly or indirectly, from a pattern of racketeering activity to wit: racketeering activity is defined as offenses involving contraband adulterated or misbranded drugs, to wit: counterfeit Xanax.
Florida State Statute 893.147(1) possession with the intent to use, or did unlawfully use, an item designed or intended for use in storing, concealing or injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body, a controlled substance, to wit: bowls, strainers, pill press, baggies, packaging material, punches and die tools and scales.