Michael Jackson: Doctor bought anesthetic in Vegas

Michael Jackson: Doctor bought anesthetic in Vegas

The potent anesthetic that Michael Jackson's doctor gave him as a sleep aid came from a Las Vegas pharmacy during the search on Tuesday by the federal drug agents and police. A law enforcement official told this to the reporters of a popular news agency.

The authorities are investigating Michael Jackson's death as a manslaughter and believed that the anesthetic propofol that he was being given at his rented Los Angeles mansion became a major factor. Normally propofol is used to render patients unconscious for medical procedures and only is supposed to be administered by anesthesia professionals in medical settings.

As the  investigators build their case, a central issue has been whether the drugs were in Jackson's system when he died and how those medications were obtained.

Michael Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, became the focus of the investigation. He has told investigators that he administered propofol and multiple sedatives to Michael Jackson in the hours before he died. The law enforcement official told this to the reporters of the same news agency.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity since the investigation is ongoing.

Los Angeles and Las Vegas police and Drug Enforcement Administration agents served a sealed search warrant on Tuesday morning at Applied Pharmacy Services in Las Vegas, which the official said that  legally sold propofol to Murray. All the investigators discovered large amounts of the drug and other medications in Jackson's home after his death. DEA agents were able to track the anesthetic back to the Las Vegas pharmacy.

Through a spokeswoman, Murray's attorney Edward Chernoff said that he had not seen the warrant and had no immediate comment.

Murray talked to detectives but spoke publicly since Jackson died away. Chernoff has said that Murray gave Jackson nothing that "should have" killed him and specifically said the physician did not give Jackson the narcotic painkillers Demerol or OxyContin.

The cause of death for Michael Jackson and details about what was in his system will be revealed in the final autopsy report prepared by the Los Angeles County coroner's office. It announced on Monday that it completed its work but did not release findings while the police investigation has been ongoing.

Weeks ago the authorities served search warrants at Murray's Las Vegas home and his businesses in Las Vegas and Houston, where they seized computer hard drives, medical equipment invoices, phone records and other items. All the officials also sought evidence pertaining to the purchase of propofol in those warrants.

As per the court documents the investigators also are looking into Jackson's interactions with at least six other doctors.

Michael Flanagan, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA in Las Vegas, said Tuesday's warrant was issued without incident at the single-story business in a strip mall with several other medical services and insurance offices on Flamingo Road, several miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.

He said that the pharmacy staff was cooperative, by adding that the authorities were searching for any and all paper documents and electronic records. However he declined to provide any details.

Tuesday's warrant remained sealed, and Clark County District Court spokesman Michael Sommermeyer said that he had no information when it was issued or which judge signed it.

Investigators could take up to 10 days to submit documentation about what they sought and what was obtained. That information became available three days after authorities served warrants at Murray's home and office on 28th July.

A woman who answered the phone at Applied Pharmacy Services after agents left refused to identify herself and also refused to comment on behalf of the store and its owner.

A telephone voice mail message said that Murray's Nevada medical practice, Global Cardiovascular Associates, was "temporarily" closed and became effective on Tuesday.