OMAHA, Neb. — [KETV] – Dozens are facing charges in hundreds of pharmacy thefts across the nation, including several in rural areas of Nebraska and Iowa. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Omaha division says a Houston-based organization has been linked to more than 200 pharmacy break-ins across 31 states in 2022 and 2023. They stole an estimated $12 million worth of controlled substances. Officials said 42 individuals, all from Houston, Texas’s Fifth Ward, have been indicted in the Eastern District of Arkansas. Five of which are linked to thefts in western Nebraska and western Iowa.

The DEA Omaha division said the crimes first began in Arkansas and quickly became a trend across multiple states. The administration said they have been part of a joint investigation for 21 months. Officials said the main drugs stolen include hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, Adderall, Xanax and promethazine with codeine. All of the drugs stolen were taken back to Houston and resold.

The DEA Omaha division said since 2022 there have been a total 17 pharmacy break-ins in Nebraska and 11 in Iowa, and some of those are linked to the Houston organization.

Officials want to remind everyone to never take or purchase any medications that are not prescribed to you by a medical professional and filled by a pharmacy.