Federal drug agents raid Beverly Hills pharmacy in Michael Jackson death investigation

DEA raids Beverly Hills pharmacy in Jackson probe

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Federal drug agents raided a Beverly Hills pharmacy Friday as part of the ongoing investigation into Michael Jackson’s death.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents served a warrant at the Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill, seeking evidence of improper dispensing of controlled substances, agency spokesman Jose Martinez said.

Agents left with at least one box containing records after a search that lasted about five hours.

A message left seeking comment from the manager of the pharmacy was not immediately returned.

The pharmacy sued Jackson in January of 2007, claiming the singer owed more than $100,000 for prescription drugs over the previous two years. The matter was quickly resolved, and Jackson’s spokeswoman at the time said it was related to the administration of the singer’s finances.

The pharmacy is located in a four-story, red brick building that also houses the offices of Dr. Arnold Klein, Jackson’s dermatologist, who also is being investigated by authorities.

DEA agents did not visit Klein’s offices Friday. A coroner’s official served a subpoena there Wednesday seeking records.

Friday’s raid came a week after authorities raided a Nevada pharmacy where Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor who was with Jackson when he died, bought the anesthetic propofol.

Authorities have said Murray administered the drug to Jackson in the hours before his death and is the focus of a manslaughter investigation.

No charges have been filed and the cause of Jackson’s death has not been made public.