A federal jury in the Southern District of Florida convicted Olushola Yusuf, a licensed pharmacist and pharmacy owner from Tampa, on July 23 for dispensing over 300,000 oxycodone pills to customers without legitimate medical need. Yusuf charged approximately ten times the typical cost for the drug and required cash payments from her customers.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Yusuf dispensed at least 326,079 pills of oxycodone 30mg—the maximum strength available—through her two pharmacies: Boots LLC in Margate and Chans Pharmacy Plus Inc. in Pembroke Pines. Customers traveled long distances to fill prescriptions that other pharmacies would not fill. Some paid as much as $1,300 per month in cash. Witnesses testified that Yusuf kept her pharmacy doors locked during business hours and instructed employees only to open them for certain customers.
“The defendant abused the public trust by using her pharmacies to unlawfully distribute deadly opioids,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “This conviction sends an unmistakable message: whether you deal drugs on a street corner or from behind a pharmacy counter, the Fraud Division will hold you fully accountable under the law.” FBI Co-Deputy Director Christopher Raia said, “By distributing dangerous and highly addictive narcotics, the defendant demonstrated a clear disregard for their community and endangered countless residents who should have been able to trust their pharmacist.” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said, “She knowingly flooded South Florida communities with more than 335,000 high-dose oxycodone pills… put profit ahead of patients, public safety, and her responsibilities as a pharmacist. Yesterday, a federal jury held her accountable.” Drug Enforcement Administration Chief of Operations Matthew W. Allen said Yusuf “abandoned that responsibility [as a safeguard against diversion], exploited addiction, and endangered lives for personal profit.” Additional statements were provided by Kevin Bobbitt of DEA West Palm Beach District Office and Miranda L. Bennett for HHS Office of Inspector General.
Yusuf was convicted on conspiracy to illegally distribute drugs and five counts of illegal drug distribution; she faces up to twenty years imprisonment per count with sentencing scheduled for October 14.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida oversees an area spanning about 15,197 square miles across nine counties serving more than seven million residents; it includes branch offices in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce and Key West; operates under the Department of Justice; employs about 223 assistant attorneys along with support staff; prosecutes federal criminal cases such as this one across its jurisdiction; collects specific federal debts; covers both civil litigation responsibilities, according to the official website.
The case was investigated by DEA, HHS-OIG and FBI agents while prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline DerOvanesian along with Trial Attorney Angela Benoit.