RIDLEY PARK, Pa., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department said more than two dozen Boeing employees were arrested Thursday on drug-related charges in a multi-agency sting operation.
Agents from the FBI and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration participated in the operation that led to 23 individuals indicted and 14 others charged with "attempted possession of the various drugs being sold by their co-workers," which are misdemeanor charges, the department said in a statement.
All but one of those charges was arrested, officials said.
The department alleges Boeing workers at the Ridley Park, Pa., plant, south of Philadelphia, were involved in selling prescription drugs, including fentanyl, known as Actiq, which is a pain killer prescribed to cancer patients; oxycodone, known as OxyContin, which is also a pain killer; and alprazolam or Xanax, primarily used as an anti-anxiety drug.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Zane David Memeger said, "This investigation and prosecution focused not only on the sellers but also on the users because of the critical role that these employees play in manufacturing military aircraft."
"Prescription drug abuse has been on the rise in our community and this is just one example of how pervasive the problem is," he said.
The plant, which manufactures military helicopters, is one of two operated by Boeing Rotorcraft Systems, part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security.
