Feds search for evidence in Kermit pain-pill scheme
11 months ago | 995 views | 2 2 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend | print
KERMIT (AP) — State and federal officials have executed search warrants looking for evidence of an illegal prescription-drug scheme in southern West Virginia involving millions of pain pills.

Special Agent M.A. Withrow alleges in an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court that a medical complex in Kermit near the Kentucky border conspired with two pharmacies to defraud government assistance programs.

The affidavit says one pharmacy received 3.2 million hydrocodone pills in 2006, above the national average of 97,431 per pharmacy.

Withrow alleges business was so robust that the pharmacy filled one hydrocodone prescription a minute.

There is no public record of charges being filed.

Officials at the medical complex, the doctors and pharmacies involved did not return messages Wednesday.
comments (2)
« $hOoT|nG$T@R wrote on Friday, Apr 03 at 09:31 AM »
I'm glad to hear that they are following through with this investigation and has all of Sav-Rite Pharmacy's records. Now they can see alot of the narcotics that have came from the Wellness Center. This place needs to be investigated and shut down too. In my opinion, it's worse than the Justice Medical Center. I just hope that the only reason that they are not doing anything about the Wellness Center isn't because the owner is the wife of an ex- West Virginia State Police officer and is involved in politics here in Mingo County. They should worry more about the citizens here instead of the almighty dollar. They are ruining families, damaging the community, and more importantly, killing these people that they are giving these drugs out to. This place gives out to anyone that has the CASH to give them. That's sad too! Come on Local law enforcement and officials in the court house, put a stop to this.
« cctaylor wrote on Thursday, Apr 02 at 10:39 AM »
Why did you not use the entire AP story? I read it yesterday in the Charleston Gazette, and it listed the Dr. who oversees all prescriptions written at the Justice Medical Center, (who happens to have a thriving practice at ARH) as well as the former Dr. who was there, and the amount of money he made in a very short time. It also told about how the Mercedes the current Dr. is driving is titled under the Justice Center's owners name, and how the feds raided his Charleston home. It also gave more in-depth info about the pharmacies involved. This is info that everyone in our area needs to know, and more than that, deserves to know. Give us the whole story, not just part of it.
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