Georgia man pleads guilty to his role in international drug trafficking ring involving pharmaceuticals following Homeland Security Task Force investigation

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Barry Wright, 57, of Marietta, GA, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and fine of $1,000,000.

Between July 2024 and January 2025, Tandel conspired with others to sell Tapentadol and Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine. During the conspiracy, MEDDZONLINE.COM, PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com, and related websites were part of a larger organized drug trafficking organization operating domestically and internationally. After orders were received, the organization sent bulk shipments of drugs via international mail to a US based bulk re-shipper. The drugs were then sent to smaller re-shippers, who were paid for each package they mailed out to customers. Wright was a smaller re-shipper.

On November 20, 2024, the DEA Buffalo conducted a controlled purchase from MEDSHEALTHONLINE.com. for 60 Zolpidem pills for $475. On November 27, 2024, the DEA obtained the USPS parcel that contained blister packs of Zolpidem, which was mailed by the defendant. During the investigation, law enforcement obtained a spreadsheet related to the organization detailing drugs mailed out by Wright to customers around the United States. Wright mailed out a total of 333 parcels, receiving $48.50/per package. In some instances, Wright was listed as taking drugs from his stock for himself.

This investigation was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division. Additional assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Offices in St. Louis, MO, Atlanta, GA, and Mobile, AL.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 18, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Arcara.

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