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Press Release
John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England, announced that Dr. SHEIKH AHMED, 55, of Orange, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with offenses related to the illegal prescribing of oxycodone, and illegal certification of patients for state medical marijuana cards.
Following his arrest, Ahmed appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was released on a $200,000 bond.
As alleged in the criminal complaint, Ahmed is a pediatrician who operates a medical practice, under the name East Hartford Medical Center, at 580 Burnside Avenue in East Hartford. Despite being a pediatrician, Ahmed’s practice does not appear to focus on children.
It is alleged that, between approximately October 2017 and May 2018, the DEA conducted an investigation of Ahmed using both a cooperating individual and an undercover agent who, equipped with recording devices, made visits to Ahmed’s practice in order to obtain prescriptions for Oxycodone. During the visits, Ahmed sought and received cash payment, typically $500, for a prescription. Ahmed did not conduct an appropriate medical examination when prescribing the oxycodone, and he made comments involving what dosage would be least likely to attract the attention of regulators, and what pharmacy was the least careful about monitoring prescriptions.
The complaint also alleges other dangerous and inappropriate ways Ahmed acted in prescribing oxycodone to the cooperating individual and undercover agent.
It is further alleged that, in March 2018, the cooperating individual sought and received a medical marijuana card from Ahmed, paying Ahmed $500 for an oxycodone prescription and $250 for a medical marijuana card. During the visit, Ahmed checked his computer for a qualifying diagnosis permitted by the Connecticut’s Medical Marijuana Program and selected “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Ahmed did not consult with the individual about whether he suffered from any condition that would render his use of marijuana medically appropriate.
The complaint alleges that Ahmed has certified approximately 165 patients for medical marijuana cards. Ahmed has used the diagnosis “Complex Regional Pain Syndrome” to justify a marijuana certification for 33 patients, and the majority of the certifications list a diagnosis of “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
The complaint charges Ahmed with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting the possession of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose. The offenses carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad, which includes officers from the Bristol, Milford, Monroe, New Haven, Shelton, Wallingford and Wilton Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.