A joint investigation involving the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the DEA led to several May 2021 arrests and dozens of charges in Charlotte, NC as part of “Operation Sizzurp” which involves the use of a popular street drug cocktail known as “sizzurp” among other names.
Arrested suspects in drug investigation
Codeine cough syrup is a highly abused controlled substance. It’s commonly used by abusers to make a drink known as “sizzurp” or “lean.”
The drug investigation led to the arrests of Edwardo Davis, 30, La'Quan Burris, 28, Malik Yesher El, 27, Mardina Williams, 33, Nicole Waugh, 28, Terry Funderburk, 44, and Tiara Mills-Oliver, 29.
The suspects are charged with a total of 37 felony charges that stem from alleged criminal acts related to obtaining or attempting to obtain the controlled substance promethazine with codeine syrup used to make the popular street drug cocktail known as “sizzurp, purple drank, purple passion, and lean.”
The investigation began in June of 2020 after investigators were made aware by healthcare providers and pharmacies of the passing of fraudulent prescriptions throughout North Carolina.
Unrelated a Charlotte man had over $2.9 million in cash along with alot of cocaine in storage units.
The investigation led to the dismantling and disruption of a regional drug fraud network which stretched from Mecklenburg County to the Triad area, the SBI says.
The SBI says that the suspects allegedly traveled across North Carolina to pass illegal prescriptions at numerous pharmacies. The names and identifications of multiple healthcare providers from different areas of the state were used in the creation of these fictitious prescriptions.
Below is a list of the individuals who have been arrested/charged:
Edwardo Davis | Obtain controlled substance by fraud/forgery – 3 counts. Trafficking, opium or heroin – 2 counts. Obtain property by false pretense – 2 counts. |
La’Quan Burris | Obtain controlled substance by fraud/forgery (oxycodone) Trafficking, opium or heroin Obtain property by false pretense Obtain controlled substance by fraud/forgery |
Malik Yesher EL | Obtain controlled substance by fraud/forgery – 2 counts Trafficking, opium or heroin – 2 counts Obtain property by false pretense – 2 counts. Attempt to obtain controlled substance by forgery/fraud Attempt to obtain property by false pretense Conspiracy to sell/deliver Schedule V controlled substance |
Mardina Williams | Attempt to obtain controlled substance by forgery/fraud Attempt to obtain property by false pretense |
Nicole Waugh | Obtain controlled substance by fraud/forgery – 2 counts Trafficking, opium or heroin Obtain property by false pretense – 3 counts Attempt to obtain controlled substance by forgery/fraud |
Terry Funderburk | Obtain controlled substance by fraud/forgery Trafficking, opium or heroin Obtain property by false pretense |
Tiara Mills-Oliver | Obtain property by false pretense Obtain controlled substance by fraud/forgery Attempt to obtain controlled substance by forgery/fraud Attempt to obtain property by false pretense Conspiracy to sell/deliver Schedule V controlled substance |
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