Ihab ‘Steve’ Barsoum, Oxycodone Distribution, Florida 2012

Tampa, FL – In a shocking turn of events, Ihab ‘Steve’ Barsoum, a 42-year-old pharmacist from Lutz, Florida, has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for his role in illegally distributing Oxycodone.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Barsoum was involved in a conspiracy to dispense hundreds of Oxycodone pills to customers passing fraudulent prescriptions. In some cases, customers did not even have prescriptions.

Starting in 2011, Barsoum sold thousands of pills to a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He instructed the source on how to write medical information on prescriptions that he knew were fraudulent. Evidence showed that Barsoum fraudulently documented his files to make it seem as though he had verified the prescriptions with a real doctor.

The pills were dispensed to customers several times a week, often without identification or legitimate prescriptions. Barsoum’s pharmacy became a hub for Oxycodone distribution, with customers coming from all over to obtain the highly addictive pills.

Barsoum’s actions were not only against the law, but also put the lives of countless individuals at risk. The distribution of Oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose can lead to addiction, overdose, and even death.

On August 21, 2012, a federal jury found Barsoum guilty of conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, and five counts of distributing Oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice. In addition to his prison sentence, Barsoum’s DEA registration number, his Florida pharmacy license, $40,000 in cash, and two BMWs were also forfeited.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale. The sentencing of Barsoum sends a strong message that those who engage in illegal drug distribution will be held accountable for their actions.

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