A North Carolina postal worker has just been arrested for stealing over 7,500 opioid doses intended for veterans.
According to police, 22-year-old Martez Murphy may have taken as many as 50 VA prescriptions every week.
Greensboro police arrested Murphy Wednesday following a lengthy investigation with assistance from the U.S. Postal Service. Investigators say the alleged thefts occurred between July and September while Murphy worked for the Postal Service.
The missing prescriptions contained Schedule II opioids mailed through the Veterans Affairs system. Police later searched Murphy’s Greensboro home after taking him into custody.
The case comes as opioid access remains a major issue for veterans. Congress introduced the bipartisan End Veterans Overdose Act earlier this year to expand free naloxone access at VA pharmacies.
Meanwhile, veterans groups have warned about abruptly reducing prescribed opioids. They argue sudden tapering can cause psychological distress and push some veterans toward illicit drugs.
The federal investigation remains ongoing.
