FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Authorities say they have raided 11 south Florida pain clinics, arrested 23 people and seized $2.5 million in cash and dozens of cars.
Among the four doctors arrested Wednesday for over-prescribing and illegally distributing pain medications was Zvi Harry Perper, the son of Broward Medical Examiner Joshua Perper, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.
One of those arrested was Vincent Colangelo, 42, who allegedly earned $150,000 a day from the seven pain centers he owned. Officials were working to seize $22 million of his assets, including cash, homes and cars.
More than 400 federal, state and local officers conducted the raids.
"Woo hoo, I want to do cartwheels," said Tina Reed, whose son almost died from an addiction to pain pills.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Broward Sheriff's Office, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and police departments from four cities organized the raids.
"We have indicted doctors and clinic owners who are acting as drug dealers," said Wilfredo Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for South Florida.
Among the high-priced cars seized in the raids was a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sports car and two Lamborghinis.
