As part of its investigation into whether chain drug stores with higher than usual sales of prescription painkillers are actually feeding those drugs to the black market, the DEA has served administrative inspection warrants at six Walgreens stores and one of the chain’s warehouses, all in Florida.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the investigation is currently on a regulatory measure and not yet an indication that the searched stores are involved in any criminal activity. However, the DEA could choose to bar these pharmacies from distributing controlled substances. If the warehouse is no longer allowed to handle controlled drugs, that could have a wider impact, affecting stores that are not currently involved in the investigation.

The DEA has already blocked two CVS pharmacies in Florida from selling controlled substances.

DEA Agents Search Six Walgreen Pharmacies in Florida [WSJ.com]

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