TRENTON, N.J. – Dr. Hassan Lahham, a 54-year-old physician from New York, has admitted his participation in a conspiracy to illegally distribute oxycodone, a highly addictive painkiller.
Lahham pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and eleven counts of distribution of oxycodone in U.S. District Court in Trenton, N.J., on [no date provided].
According to documents filed in the case, Lahham issued prescriptions to co-conspirators for oxycodone-containing medications outside the usual course of medical practice and not for any legitimate medical purpose. The prescriptions were filled at various New Jersey pharmacies and redistributed by others. Lahham wrote the prescriptions in exchange for cash payments, and knew the pills were to be redistributed.
Oxycodone, the active ingredient in brand name pills such as Oxycontin, Roxicodone and Percocet, is a Schedule II controlled substance – meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, and abuse of the drug may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
The charge to which Lahham pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for May 10, 2013.
U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman credited the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert G. Koval, along with other law enforcement agencies, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Joseph Gribko and Fabiana Pierre-Louis of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Trenton.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Ludwikowski, Oxycodone Distribution, New Jersey 2013 · Puerto Rico
- Michael Troyan, Oxycodone Distribution Conspiracy, New York 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Paul Hutchison, Ethylone Distribution Conspiracy, New Jersey 2015 · Puerto Rico
- Nasir Williams, Conspiracy and Distribution of Crack, New Jersey 2020 · Washington
- Arthur Forman, Cocaine and Oxycodone Distribution, New Jersey 2022 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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