Earlier this month, 39-year old David Hudson was arrested for Virginia drug crimes charges of delivering controlled substances. A native of Beckley, Hudson is no stranger to the drug world, having been convicted for selling cocaine in the early 90’s. Only recently had he served a decade long sentence in a federal prison and completed three years of supervised probation in April this year.
On Monday, July 8, he was pulled over on Harper Road at around 5 o’clock in the evening. 60 Oxymorphone pills, estimated to have a street value of over $4,000, were found on him. He was arrested and charged with delivering Oxymorphone and Oxycodone – narcotic painkillers that are prescribed for moderate to severe pain.
According to Detective Cpl. B.M. Atterson, Hudson’s arrest was the result of an intensive investigation launched by the Beckley Police Department that spanned a period of two months. However, there is no evidence to prove that Hudson was receiving these drugs from other dealers and bringing them into Beckley from Pennsylvania (PA). In fact, he has his own prescription for oxymorphone, procured from a Pennsylvanian doctor.
Atterson mentioned that it was not uncommon for offenders to get legally prescribed narcotic drugs from other states (like PA) and peddle it in West Virginia. Also, since PA did not keep a roster of patients prescribed painkillers (unlike West Virginia that has the Board of Pharmacy), it was extremely difficult to keep track of where offenders are receiving medication.
Atterson also points out that it is relatively easy to sell prescription drugs as compared to dealing in cocaine. The former can be obtained at a pharmacy and most offenders never even realize that they are doing anything wrong, since they are essentially selling legal medication.
Hudson is currently at Southern Regional Jail. His bail has been set at $100,000. If convicted, he is likely to face an extremely strict sentence owing to his status as a habitual offender.
