Big Island Doctor Peddled Opioids to Friends for Cash & Coke

Former Big Island pain doctor Rudolph B. Puana isn’t easing anyone’s suffering anymore. A federal jury slammed him with guilty verdicts on all 38 counts related to a brazen opioid distribution scheme. Puana used his medical license as a cover to funnel oxycodone and fentanyl to associates, who then flipped the pills for profit and to fuel their own drug habits. The feds say Puana wasn’t treating patients; he was running a side hustle built on addiction.

The three-week trial revealed a disturbing pattern: Puana provided large quantities of oxycodone to friends, allegedly to help them pay for college tuition. But the money didn’t stop at books and fees. Testimony showed the same individuals used the profits to buy cocaine. Another friend received a steady stream of oxycodone and fentanyl, not for pain management, but to supply drug-fueled parties. This wasn’t about medicine; it was about enabling a dangerous lifestyle and profiting from it.

Federal prosecutors laid out a case built on documentary evidence, including prescription records and communications, as well as damning testimony from Puana’s former associates. Witnesses detailed how Puana knowingly bypassed proper medical protocols, writing prescriptions for individuals with no legitimate need for the powerful narcotics. Expert testimony underscored the devastating impact of opioid diversion on communities already grappling with the ongoing epidemic.

The charges weren’t limited to drug distribution. Puana also faced a count of unlawful possession of a firearm while addicted to a controlled substance – a clear indication of his own spiraling substance abuse. The feds didn’t just build a case against his illegal prescriptions; they painted a picture of a doctor consumed by the very drugs he was peddling.

Chief District Judge J. Michael Seabright didn’t wait for sentencing. Immediately after the guilty verdict, he ordered Puana remanded into custody, meaning he’ll remain jailed until his sentencing hearing on September 12, 2022. The judge clearly saw Puana as a flight risk and a continued danger to the public. The feds are expected to push for a substantial prison sentence.

This conviction is more than just one doctor going down. It’s a stark warning to medical professionals who exploit their positions of trust for personal gain. The FBI is making it clear: abusing the opioid prescription system to fuel addiction and profit from misery will be met with aggressive investigation and prosecution. As the opioid crisis continues to ravage the nation, holding those responsible – especially those sworn to ‘do no harm’ – is critical.”