The owner of a New Jersey vitamin company has been indicted in Oklahoma, accused of selling millions of tablets that can be used to make the illegal drug methamphetamine.
Eric Organ, owner of D&E Pharmaceuticals, is charged in Oklahoma County District Court with 21 felony counts.
The indictment lists sales of almost 6 million tablets in Oklahoma between 2002 and 2006. The total price was about $710,000.
"Oklahoma was facing a serious problem,” Attorney General Drew Edmondson said. "Laws were passed and guidelines established to curtail the meth cook's ability to acquire the precursor materials needed to make methamphetamine. Organ is accused of violating the laws and guidelines put in place to stop the manufacture of this dangerous drug.”
Prosecutors said others involved with Organ could be charged later. Organ, 50, lives in Bloomingdale, N.J.
"He is an honest businessman,” said his attorney, Chris Eulberg. "He's been in business for 30 years. It's inventing crime.”
The state multicounty grand jury indicted Organ last week. The indictment was made public Thursday. The counts include racketeering and conspiracy.
Organ is accused of illegally selling tablets of ephedrine and psuedoephedrine to convenience stores and individuals across Oklahoma. Most sales were by mail order or through the Internet "and far exceeded the quantities necessary for any legitimate purposes,” grand jurors alleged.
"The documentation is pretty telling as to the frequency ... customers would order the bulk quantities of ephedrine and psuedoephedrine. Some ... ordered quantities multiple times a month,” said Assistant Attorney General Joel-lyn McCormick, who advises the grand jury.
Federal officials in Oklahoma are considering a civil action against the company. Federal officials in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Kansas and Arkansas also may take action.
The company advertises ephedrine as a temporary remedy for bronchial congestion and bronchial asthma.
"The documentation is pretty telling as to the frequency ... customers would order the bulk quantities of ephedrine and psuedoephedrine. Some ... ordered quantities multiple times a month.”
Assistant Attorney General Joel-lyn McCormick, who advises the multicounty grand jury
