Volusia group allegedly used business to sell prescription pills

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The owners of a Volusia County towing company are accused of using the business as a front for a drug trafficking ring.

Local, state and federal law enforcement officers raided two homes and two business locations connected to the group known as the "Big Boyz Family" on Friday.

The businesses were being used to sell thousands of prescription pills, according to investigators. A report states the pills being sold included oxycodone, hydromorphone and morphine.

Authorities said 20 months of undercover drug buys, surveillance and confidential informants led to the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Jeffrey Hanks. Hanks' wife, Stephanie Hanks, her 17-year-old son David Balfour and four other people were also arrested.

Officials have named three other suspects who have warrants for their arrest. Investigators said they also participated in the Big Boyz family business.

According to investigators, the group was able to acquire 16,000 pills in one year from pill mills across Florida.

Each suspect is facing several charges, including conspiracy to traffic oxycodone. Jeffrey Hanks and Stephanie Hanks have been jailed on a more than $600,000 bond.

WFTV