Texas man gets 30 years for selling fake meds linked to fatality

A Dallas man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for distributing counterfeit prescription pharmaceuticals that led to a death by overdose.

Gary Collin Bussell (52 – pictured right) pleaded guilty on January 26 to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances, including fake oxycodone and alprazolam tablets that were actually made with fentanyl or methamphetamine.

He was the head of a ring that was involved in the large-scale purchase and distribution of various pharmaceutical medications, according to the Department of Justice.

In December 2018, a 29-year-old man from Fairview, died as the result of a fentanyl and alprazolam drug overdose, prompting an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

"This case is a sad reminder that recreational use of prescription drugs – counterfeit or not – can present tremendous risks to the user, including overdose and death," commented Acting US Attorney Nicholas Ganjei.

Another defendant, William Grant Allbrook (34) of the Colony, operated as a counterfeit drug distributor in the Dallas area, acquiring supplies from one Peter Yin (38) of Garland, and distributed those drugs to Bussell and others in the organization.

Earlier this week, Allbrook and Yin were each sentenced to 20 years months in prison for their roles in the drug trafficking conspiracy. Meanwhile, in July, another of the conspirators - Austin Seymour (26) of Uniontown, Ohio – got 14 years.