Federal grand jury indicts Las Vegas doctor, pharmacist in drug crimes www.privateofficer.com

 

LAS VEGAS NV Sept 30 2011 — A federal grand jury has indicted a Las Vegas doctor, a doctor’s assistant and a pharmacist for alleged prescription drug crimes.

The doctor named in the indictment is 87-year-old Dr. Henri Wetselaar who works out of the New Amsterdam Medical Group office at Harmon Avenue and Sandhill Road. He is facing charges of distribution of oxycodone, money laundering and structuring money transactions. He appeared in federal court Thursday afternoon.

Also named in the indictment are 52-year-old David Litwin, the doctor’s assistant and 43-year-old Jason Smith, a pharmacist, who now lives in Michigan. They are both facing a charge of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Litwin is also facing eight counts of distribution of oxycodone and three counts of making a false states to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

“Follow the money. In this case, we have an asset forfeiture provision in that indictment seeking $3.6 million dollars from the defendants in forfeiture. This is a lucrative business. It’s unfortunate that someone with a physicians medical license and someone that’s skilled as a pharmacist would delve into this kind of conduct,” U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden said.

Nevada’s High Intensity Drug Traffic Agency reports that prescription drug abuse kills more people in Clark County than methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin combined.

“A large part of our effort to combat unlawful prescription drug trafficking in Nevada has included the targeting and investigation of local physicians and pharmacists who are writing and selling prescriptions that are not being issued for a legitimate medical purpose or in the usual course of professional practice,” said Bogden.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.