Related Federal Cases
- Anthony Warner, Currency Smuggling, New Jersey 2016 · New York
- Raymond Hasaan Matthews, Counterfeit Credit Card Scam, Pittsburgh P… · Pennsylvania
- Mohamed Fadiga, Possessing Counterfeit and Unauthorized Access Devi… · Texas
- Elmostafa Charif, Designer Drug Trafficking, New Jersey 2024 · Massachusetts
- Ricardo Reid, Mail and Wire Fraud Conspiracy, New Jersey 2024 · Virginia
New Jersey Pharmacist Admits to Selling Counterfeit Prescriptions for Cash
A Newark federal court witnessed a guilty plea from Anthony Duncan, a 61-year-old pharmacist from Hillside, New Jersey, for violating the Controlled Substances Act. Duncan pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and codeine.
Parkway Central Pharmacy, a pharmacy owned and operated by Duncan in East Orange, New Jersey, was the site where Duncan’s conspirators brought bogus prescriptions for controlled substances. Duncan filled these prescriptions, knowing they were false or counterfeit. He accepted cash payments from his conspirators in exchange for filling the prescriptions and dispensing controlled substances.
The payments Duncan received ranged from $4 for every oxycodone 30mg pill to $10 for every eight ounces of cough syrup containing codeine. From November 2014 through November 2018, Duncan filled over 1,100 false or counterfeit prescriptions for controlled substances. He illegally sold to one conspirator at least 47,000 tablets of Oxycodone 30 mg, 46,000 tablets of oxycodone and acetaminophen combination product, and 56,000 milliliters of cough syrup containing codeine.
The count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and codeine is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Duncan’s sentencing is scheduled for November 8, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited the Drug Enforcement Administration’s special agents, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, with the investigation leading to Duncan’s guilty plea. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hayden M. Brockett of the Health Care Fraud Unit in Newark.
Anthony Duncan’s case highlights the severity of prescription medication abuse and the consequences of violating the law. As a licensed pharmacist, Duncan’s actions not only endangered public health but also undermined the trust placed in medical professionals. His guilty plea serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity in the healthcare industry.
The investigation and prosecution of Duncan’s case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combating prescription medication abuse and holding accountable those who engage in such activities. As the nation continues to grapple with the opioid epidemic, cases like Duncan’s serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of prescription medication abuse.
Antony Duncan, a 61-year-old pharmacist from Hillside, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and codeine. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Duncan’s sentencing is scheduled for November 8, 2022.
Defendant Name: Antony Duncan
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and codeine
City and State: Newark, New Jersey
Date: November 2014 through November 2018
Sentence: Maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million
Dollar Amounts: $4 for every oxycodone 30mg pill, $2 for every oxycodone and acetaminophen combination product, and $10 for every eight ounces of cough syrup containing codeine
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
