13 in Md. charged in Oxycontin ring

Europe Sun Wednesday 17th December, 2003

A Maryland federal grand jury has indicted 13 defendants for for allegedly using fraudulent prescriptions to buy Oxycontin and Percocet.

The accused have been charged with drug trafficking, health care fraud and possession of firearms and if convicted face sentences of 3 to 40 years.

The indictment alleges for nearly three years, the defendants used fraudulent prescriptions to obtain prescription medications from Maryland pharmacies for resale on the street.

The criminal charges are the result of a two-year investigation by a joint task force of federal and Maryland law enforcement agencies.

The indictment during the alleged four-year conspiracy, three defendants created fraudulent prescriptions using information stolen from physicians who were licensed to dispense medication. Several other defendants then recruited others to submit the fraudulent prescriptions to pharmacies throughout Maryland.

The defendants allegedly used health insurance cards to pay for fraudulent prescriptions.

The group operated out of a Baltimore car wash called The Rack Room Hand Car Wash, Detailing and Game Room.