U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the filing of a civil complaint against a Houston pharmacy and its owners, following an investigation that uncovered multiple fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances. The complaint involves monetary penalties against Nnwood Pharmacy and names owners Cheryl Brew Greenleaf and Wendell Kirk Greenleaf, both of Houston, as defendants.
The complaint states that Nnwood Pharmacy has been registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) since 2007, authorized to dispense controlled substances classified from Schedule II through V. It was revealed, however, that Nnwood dispensed significant quantities of controlled substances, supposedly prescribed by physicians far from the pharmacy's location. Furthermore, the pharmacy dispensed Schedule II hydrocodone and Schedule IV carisoprodol pills to numerous male customers, based on prescriptions from doctors specializing in obstetrics and gynecology.
An administrative inspection warrant executed on July 16, 2021, led to the seizure of 99 allegedly fraudulent prescriptions dispensed by Nnwood. These prescriptions involved Schedule II to IV substances and were linked to invalid DEA registration numbers, according to the complaint. Nnwood and its owners are accused of distributing controlled substances without legitimate medical justification or professional integrity, using fraudulent prescriptions.
The complaint also cites Nnwood’s failure to maintain proper records and reports as required by the Controlled Substances Act and DEA regulations. The pharmacy was previously investigated in 2007.
“The Controlled Substances Act ensures that those who manufacture, prescribe, dispense, and distribute controlled substances do so in a safe and legitimate way. This prevents dangerous narcotics being diverted for illicit use, or for unsuspecting people to ingest dangerous drugs,” stated Ganjei. "The Southern District of Texas is committed to ensuring that those who endanger the public by violating the Act are held accountable."
Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell of the DEA-Houston Division emphasized the crucial role of pharmacies in preventing the diversion of prescription drugs: "Pharmacies have a fundamental responsibility to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent the diversion of controlled substances and ensure that they are dispensing controlled substances pursuant to legitimate prescriptions."
The DEA spearheaded the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill O. Venezia is managing the case.