By LeaAnne Klentzman

A high profile Fort Bend County resident has been arrested in Florida.

According to reports from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Alex Oria, 53, of Missouri City, was arrested for his involvement in what was described as a prescription drug diversion scheme operating out of South Florida. Oria is reported to be responsible for trafficking millions of dollars worth of contraband prescription pharmaceuticals. Officials with the FDLE said, “Oria was charged with racketeering, conspiracy to RICO, organized scheme to defraud, trafficking in contraband legend pharmaceuticals, conspiracy to traffic in contraband legend pharmaceuticals, purchase of legend drugs from unauthorized persons, and money laundering.”

According to FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey, and Attorney General Bill McCollum, the investigation into Oria began in September 2008 as a spin-off investigation of Operation Stone Cold; a long-term racketeering investigation by FDLE involving the illicit secondary pharmaceutical market. They went on to say that as a result of the investigation more than 100 arrests have been made nationwide since 2002.

FDLE Agents allege, “Oria was involved in an ongoing multi-state racketeering enterprise that purchased, cleaned off prior pharmacy labels, and resold millions of dollars worth of contraband legend pharmaceuticals purchased from street sources in South Florida. According to officials the drugs involved include: Neupogen, Procrit, Seroquel, Abilify, Zyprexa, Trizivir, Combivir, Plavix, Lexapro, Isentress, Levimir, Kaletra, Norvir, Actos, and others.”

Oria is alleged to have used check cashing establishments to hide the true source of the illicit profits and to launder the funds of the illicit enterprise including La Bamba Check Cashing, located in Miami, and other check cashing establishments, said Bailey. Oria’s co-conspirators, who have not been named, are believed to have used fraudulent identification at a check cashing establishment to aid in the money laundering scheme. Oria, is believed to be the main broker for the illicitly obtained product, enlisted sub-brokers and other business owners to move into the main stream of commerce pharmaceuticals that were previously dispensed, expired pursuant to manufacturers’ standards, or stolen said officials.

The Oria’s have resided in the Fort Bend area for nearly 20 years. Currently, according to county records, Alex Oria and his wife are involved in divorce proceedings in Fort Bend County. They have a million dollar plus home in the Sienna Plantation subdivision as well as other properties in Texas, and Florida, according to government records.

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case(s) against Oria. FLDE indicates that the investigation remains active; more arrests expected.

Back to Top