SEATTLE - The Drug Enforcement Administration on Thursday suspended the registration of an Auburn drug distributor that allegedly sold large quantities of hydrocodone to "rogue internet pharmacies," specifically the Burlington-based Horen's Drug Store.

On Thursday the DEA suspended the Federal Controlled Substance registration of Cardinal Health Drug Company's Auburn branch, and took action against Horen's Drug.

"Today's administrative action led to the owner of Horen's Drug to voluntarily surrender his DEA license," said Bernie Hobson, a DEA spokesperson.

DEA investigators say the illegal prescription drug trade is flourishing on the internet and Horen's was a major player.

Cardinal Health, located at 801 C. Street NW in Auburn, has also been the subject of a DEA investigation for some time. The DEA alleges that it distributed nearly 18 million dosage units of hydrocodone, which is sold under the brand name Vicodin, to retail pharmacies between January and September of this year, despite warnings about internet pharmacies.

Horen's was its largest purchaser, the DEA alleges, purchasing 605,000 dosage units between March and September. The DEA says Horen's was "engaged in schemes to dispense controlled substances based on prescriptions that were written for other than legitimate medical purposes."

Horen's stands out as one of the largest online sellers of hydrocodone in the nation. Prior to 2005, the most hydrocodone the Burlington facility had ordered was 60,000 tabs. In a six-month period in 2007, the company ordered 605,000 tabs.

Cardinal Health in Auburn will be given an opportunity for an administrative hearing within the next 60 days. Then the DEA will make a final decision on whether its registration should be permanently revoked. 

The agency says more than 6 million Americans abuse prescription drugs.