At least thirteen arrests were made this week in Monmouth County, Ocean County, Morris County and Hudson County, New Jersey after investigators discovered two separate, major pharmaceutical drug trafficking networks operating in the State. The suspects include a number of New Jersey pharmacists and doctors.
The drug dealers allegedly defrauded Medicaid and several private insurance companies into paying for thousands of pain pills obtainable by prescription only. Known as "Operation MedScam," the NJ Attorney General's Office conducted a one-year investigation into the drug dealing rings. The drugs sold by the rings included OxyContin, Percocet, and RoxyCodone. The dealers would obtain fake prescriptions from doctors then fill the orders at New Jersey pharmacies.
The alleged masterminds of the drug rings include Robert Silverman, a 43-year old Jersey City man, Louis Lisi, 34, of Union City, and Brian Kelly, a 48-year old Hoboken resident. Over a thousand narcotic pain killers were found after the individuals and other locations were searched.
The New Jersey doctors allegedly involved in the operation included Dr. Clifton Howell and Dr. Magdy Elamir, both of whom were arrested for suspected drug dealing.
Two pharmacists were also arrested and charged. They are Babak Bamdad and Amir Tadros. The doctors involved in the New Jersey drug dealin rings would allegedly charge $50-$75 per visit, then write prescriptions made out to names given to them by the drug dealers. The pharmacists would then fill the prescriptions and submit false bills to Medicaid and private insureres.
At least six other individuals were arrested for allegedly being street level drug dealers.
One 30-milligram OxyContin pill, called a "blue" on the street might sell for $10 to $20. A 10-milligram Percocet pill might cost between $5 and $8.
If you have been caught with pharmaceutical pills without a prescription, arrested for a New Jersey drug offense, or have been charged or convicted of selling drugs, contact a New Jersey criminal defense attorney experienced with these matters for an evaluation of your case.
