AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

MARCH 22, 2006

PHARMACY EMPLOYEE INDICTED IN FRAUD SCHEME TO DISTRIBUTE AND MISBRAND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

BALTIMORE, Maryland - United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein announces that a federal grand jury has indicted Eze Rankin Inyama, age 34, of Baltimore, for mail fraud, distribution of a controlled substance and misbranding drugs in connection with a scheme to obtain and distribute prescription drugs using a pharmacy he worked for.

According to the 12-count indictment which was returned yesterday, Inyama worked at Star Pharmacy located at 1835 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore.

In May of 2005, Star Pharmacy notified the Maryland Board of Pharmacy that it was closing its doors as of May 26, 2005. From October 13, 2004 through August 2005, the Baltimore City Police Department and DEA investigated allegations that prescription drugs including Clonazepam, Clonodine, Alprazolam, Xanax, Phenergan, among others, were being illegally dispensed out of Star Pharmacy. Between May 11, 2005 and August 30, 2005, the indictment alleges that Inyama was observed unlocking the pharmacy’s door and allowing numerous individuals entry. On June 2, 2005 Inyama allegedly unlocked the front door, allowed an undercover agent to enter and dispensed 100 tablets of Clonodine to the agent for $50.

The indictment further alleges that on June 17, 2005, Inyama telephoned a sales representative of Quest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and, representing himself to be a pharmacist, set up an account in the name of Star Pharmacy. Between June 17, 2005 and August 2, 2005, Inyama allegedly placed orders with Quest for various controlled dangerous substances on the Star Pharmacy account. Quest shipped the drugs to Star Pharmacy and Inyama signed for receipt of the drugs. Inyama is alleged to have routinely paid for the orders from Quest from his personal checking account.

The indictment also alleges that on May 11 and June 2, 2005 Inyama distributed 90 tablets of Azprazolam (Xanax) and 100 tablets of Clonodine, respectively. Inyama is also charged with misbranding drugs, when he allegedly dispensed the prescription drug Clonodine on June 2, 2005 to an undercover agent without a valid prescription of a licensed practitioner.

Inyama faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for each count of mail fraud; 3 years imprisonment for the distribution of the controlled substances followed by 1 year supervised release; and 1 year imprisonment and 1 year supervised release for the misbranding charge. Inyama’s initial appearance and arraignment have not yet been scheduled.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceeding.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Baltimore City Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Schenning, who is prosecuting the case.