The DEA investigation, known as Operation CYBERx, also netted seven luxury cars, 2400 checks and money orders from customers and several boxes of cash. According to the DEA, the drug traffickers averaged more than $50,000 per day in profits through direct sales and through affiliate sales. They even sold cough syrup with codeine out the back door of their warehouse.

"It is important to differentiate between illegal pharmacies which dispense medication without a valid prescription and legal online pharmacies. A legal online pharmacy requires a physician to make an independent medical judgment about the appropriateness of the prescription request. If appropriate, the physician writes a legal prescription. The best of these pharmacies caution their patients to use their service wisely.

- Examine the web site. Is it a pure sales site? Sites with news, articles, and health advice are more likely to be legitimate, long term businesses.

- Avoid pharmacies which allow you to order any quantity of medication. Legitimate pharmacies limit the quantity of medication you can order and limit the frequency with which you can reorder.

Are there any conditions under which it is OK to order from an online pharmacy? While no formal standards have been developed to guide patients, there are certain conditions under which a purchase from an online pharmacy appears to be safe. For example, If you have been treated for a medical condition by a physician and you periodically have to reorder the medication, a purchase from an online pharmacy can save you the time and expense of a visit to the doctor’s office. Even in this case, periodic re-evaluation by your physician is wise.