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Chicago Pharmacy Caught Red-Handed in Opioid Diversion Scheme
CHICAGO – In a shocking revelation, Allcare Discount Pharmacy in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood has been found guilty of diverting over 56,000 pills of hydrocodone from 2015 to 2017. Two pharmacy techs, who conspired to steal the pills, pleaded guilty to federal drug charges and were sentenced to prison terms of five years and one year in 2019.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, an inspection and audit by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) found that Allcare failed to keep adequate records pertaining to the receipt and disposition of various controlled substances, including hydrocodone-acetaminophen and alprazolam. The DEA also determined that Allcare failed to provide effective controls and procedures to prevent theft and diversion of controlled substances.
Under the terms of the civil settlement, Allcare will pay a $250,000 penalty to the United States. The settlement requires Allcare to maintain complete and accurate records pertaining to the receipt and sale of controlled substances, as outlined in a Memorandum of Agreement with the DEA.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie R. Raedy and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for handling the civil case. U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros emphasized the importance of pharmacies taking their responsibilities under the Controlled Substances Act seriously and complying with security protocols and proper oversight to prevent diversion of controlled substances.
The settlement is not an admission of liability by Allcare, nor a concession by the United States that its potential claims were not well-founded. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work closely with law enforcement partners to enforce full compliance with the Controlled Substances Act and protect communities from the dangers of opioid diversion and abuse.
Shane Catone, Special Agent-in-Charge of the DEA Chicago Field Division, commended the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA for their dedication to combating opioid diversion and abuse.
As part of the settlement, Allcare successfully fulfilled its obligations under the Memorandum of Agreement with the DEA. The civil case served as a stark reminder of the importance of pharmacies taking their responsibilities under the Controlled Substances Act seriously and complying with security protocols and proper oversight to prevent diversion of controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect communities from the dangers of opioid diversion and abuse. This case serves as a testament to the commitment of law enforcement agencies to enforcing the Controlled Substances Act and preventing the diversion of controlled substances.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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