Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A legal dispute has arisen involving a Houston-based pharmacy and its owners in the wake of a civil complaint filed for alleged violations of the Controlled Substances Act. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the complaint, which seeks monetary penalties from Nnwood Pharmacy and names its owners, Cheryl Brew Greenleaf and Wendell Kirk Greenleaf, as defendants.
Details from the complaint indicate that Nnwood Pharmacy, operating under a registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) since May 21, 2007, allegedly dispensed numerous fraudulent controlled substance prescriptions. These prescriptions involved powerful controlled substances supposedly prescribed by physicians situated hundreds of miles away. The pharmacy also allegedly dispensed numerous doses of Schedule II hydrocodone and Schedule IV carisoprodol pills to male customers with prescriptions from doctors in obstetrics and gynecology.
An administrative inspection warrant resulted in the seizure of 99 allegedly fraudulent prescriptions on July 16, 2021. These were said to be for Schedule II through Schedule IV substances and issued under invalid DEA registration numbers. Furthermore, it is alleged that Nnwood and the Greenleafs dispensed these controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose, surpassing the usual scope of professional practice, and failed to maintain mandatory records.
A previous investigation into Nnwood Pharmacy occurred 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," stated Ganjei, emphasizing the commitment of the Southern District of Texas to hold violators accountable.
Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell from the DEA-Houston Division remarked on the responsibility of pharmacies to prevent the diversion of controlled substances. "Pharmacies have a fundamental responsibility to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent the diversion of controlled substances," he expressed.
The Controlled Substances Act aims to prevent the illegal diversion of controlled substances while ensuring their availability for legitimate purposes. This investigation was conducted by the DEA, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill O. Venezia managing the case.
