A Madera pharmacist was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for trafficking over 450,000 opioid pills through forged prescriptions. (GV Wire File)
- Madera pharmacist sentenced to over seven years for trafficking 450,000 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills in a multistate scheme.
- Ntukogu forged prescriptions, profiting hundreds of thousands while fueling the opioid epidemic, investigators said.
- Co-defendants face significant penalties as the DOJ continues targeting medical practitioners involved in illicit drug operations.
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A Fresno resident working as a pharmacist in Madera was sentenced Monday to seven years and three months in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking scheme involving over 450,000 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Ifeanyi Vincent Ntukogu, 49, operated New Life Pharmacy in Madera, where he dispensed fraudulent prescriptions for cash. According to prosecutors, Ntukogu collaborated with co-conspirators to forge prescriptions from more than 10 physicians, rejecting only those he feared would raise suspicion.
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“This defendant displayed a blatant disregard for public safety and the law,” Talbert said. “It took the effort of agents, investigators, undercover officers, and medical professionals to bring an end to this illicit prescription-writing racket. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue our pursuit of those who fuel the opioid epidemic for their own personal benefit.”
The investigation revealed that from 2014 to 2018, Ntukogu distributed pills later sold illegally in Tennessee, Texas, and beyond.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris highlighted the severity of Ntukogu’s actions.
“This lengthy sentence underscores the serious consequences for medical practitioners who place profits above people. DEA will continue to work with our counterparts to investigate, arrest and prosecute individuals who abuse their positions and threaten public safety.” Beris said.
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Ntukogu received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the scheme, which also involved co-defendants Kelo White and Donald Pierre. White is awaiting sentencing, while Pierre was previously sentenced to nine years and four months.
White’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2025. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
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