DEA Joins Jackson Death Investigation

LAPD Asked for Agency's Assistance for its Knowledge of Illicit Drug Manufacturers

(AP)  Updated at 11:18 p.m. EDT

The Drug Enforcement Administration is joining the investigation into Michael Jackson's death, a law enforcement official said late Wednesday.

The DEA is stepping in at the request of the Los Angeles Police Department, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation. The federal agency can provide resources and experience in investigating drug abuse, illicit drug manufacturers known as "pill mills" and substances local police may not be familiar with, the official said.

The DEA would likely play a role in looking at Jackson's doctors, the drugs they prescribed and whether the doctors were registered with the DEA to prescribe those substances as federal law requires. Also, investigators are expected to look at the sources of the drugs provided to Jackson or his associates to determine if there was a pattern of trafficking.

Following Jackson's death, allegations emerged that the 50-year-old King of Pop had been consuming painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants. But Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse whose specialty includes nutritional counseling, said she encountered a man tortured by sleep deprivation and one who expressed opposition to recreational drug use.

Lee told the AP Tuesday she repeatedly rejected Jackson's demands for the drug, Diprivan. Several months ago, Jackson had begun badgering Lee about Diprivan, also known as Propofol, Lee said. It is an intravenous anesthetic drug widely used in operating rooms to induce unconsciousness. It is generally given through an IV needle in the hand.

But the federal law enforcement official said that Propofol is not a controlled substance. "It's not the kind of drug the DEA has seen being abused," the official said.

[bundygirltrish]

I believe things should be left alone with Micheal Jackson... when he was alive...he was rubbished...name calling ect:Micheal was indeed a great performing artist(KING OF POP)things change when he was serverely burnt while doing a show..its not his fault...he didnt asked for much..all he ever wanted was to keep his fans going with his amazing music...as a long time fan myself he deserved loads of credit for his imaculate work...ppl say great things about Micheal but yet still rubish him..he's gone now...why not let the man rest!!!!!!!

[AttentionDeficit]

Drug Free America, indeed

[love7759]

I will just say this I will not be watching CBS News or anything else that CBS has dealings with. I think the way you have reported Micheal Jackson's death is just beyond low.... I do expect this type of reporting from the star magazine but never from cbs news..... trust me I'm never watching you again.......and as for the morning show you have hit and all time low......

[woeisme1]

Michael Jackson wanted to take a drug such as Diprivan. It makes you unconscious. I have to wonder. How troubled WAS this man that in order to not have the demons attack him while trying to sleep he would need to be comotose?

I only know he had a black and white world. While uncommon success and talent marked his public life, tragedy and sadness...lonliness marked his personal life. What a character study in dichotomy.

riddelup...many in Hollywood have personal physician's on their payroll. They are Board Certified professional drug pushers.

[riddelup]

I find it hard to believe a board certified doctor serving as an personal in house physician could not recognize addiction of this degree.

[jellolion]

Jackson had to search to find the quack doctor that gave him diprivan. No doctor would prescribe this drug to a patient. It is for hospital use only. You need to be on a respirator when you take diprivan. Jackson's doctor will surely be charged for his criminal activity.

[Sky017]

"Following Jackson's death, allegations emerged that the 50-year-old King of Pop had been consuming... "

Quite rarely I have seen the media just call him the King of Pop without putting it in quotes... I think CNN has been still calling him the 'King of Pop' as though it is some quasi-title.

Previously, many in the media would disdainfully say the 'King of Pop' or the 'self-professed King of Pop'.

But I guess the reality of all the click-thrus to the MJ stories on the media websites, plus the global outpouring of grief and memoirs and personal anecdotes have made the media realize that he was INDEED the King of Pop. Which is a bit weird because many ordinary people in the world knew it, but it took his death and the resultant GLOBAL attention and outpouring for the media to ACKNOWLEDGE it.

RIP Michael Jackson.

[fred-mertz]

"Now days most everyone has some pills,(painkillers or sedatives)in the bathroom medicine cabin"

??? What are you talking about? This article isn't about painkillers or sedatives. Almost NOBODY has Diprivan at home in their medicine cabinet! Diprivan is used in hospitals for operations, NOT for getting "high". If you take just a little bit too much diprivan, it will kill you.

[woeisme1]

Jackson did more than just Diprivan is all PJM is saying. And their right, medicine which has been prescribed is a major source of unneccessary deaths each day in this country. America IS hooked on drugs. There is no doubt about it.

[PJMos07]

Hello All,

Now days most everyone has some pills,(painkillers or sedatives)in the bathroom medicine cabin. For sometime there has been a commercial broadcast or warning, with a man who is a drug seller on the streets making statements of how bad his business was because of all the pills that parents had at home which their children were taking, therefore, he was saying, "Don't blame him,(the street dealer or seller)for your children beening hooked on drugs!"

ONE have to look at him/herself and ask do I need this medicine(painkiller or seditive, etc.) or am I hooked and need help to stop this medicine(pills)abuse!

Because "NO-ONE" stopped MJ, maybe NO-ONE could stop him, change start with the 'Man In The Mirror' in more ways than one!!! PJM.