The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a complaint against two Celina pharmacies and owner Thomas Weir over allegations of unlawful opioid distribution.
A federal judge issued restraining orders against Oakley Pharmacy, Inc., which includes Dale Hollow Pharmacy and Xpress Pharmacy of Clay County.
A statement released by the DOJ indicates Weir and three pharmacists allegedly dispensed and improperly billed Medicare for prescription opioids.
The complaint states two people have died and numerous others hospitalized for signs of potential overdose shortly after receiving controlled substances from the pharmacies.
Restraining orders were also issued against pharmacists John Polston, Michael Griffith, and Larry Larkin for allegedly violating the Controlled Substances Act and the False Claims Act.
The United States Drug Enforcement Agency launched an investigation into Celina pharmacies last fall following reports of unusual patterns of pill purchases and drug distribution.
The DEA reported sales data indicates over 1.5 million pills were purchased by the pharmacies in 2017, an unusually high number for a rural area like Clay County.
