Pharmacist and two others charged with drug trafficking, federal indictment says
A pharmacist and two others have been charged with drug trafficking following a federal grand jury indictment, according to an indictment announced Tuesday by U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott.
A 42-count indictment returned last week charges Ifeanyi Vincent Ntukogu, 44, of Fresno with one count of conspiracy to distribute and 17 counts of distributing controlled substances.
Ntukogu owns and operates New Life Pharmacy in Madera. He’s accused of filling fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone and hydrocodone.
Ntukogu was arrested at his pharmacy in Madera.
The same grand jury indictment also charged Kelo White, 38, and Donald Ray Pierre, 50, with attempting to distribute controlled substances. Ntukogu allegedly forwarded the drugs, according Scott, to White and Pierre, both of Fresno.
Pierre was also charged with two counts of identify theft.
The three men face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted. Pierre faces an additional 20 years and a $250,000 fine in connection to the identify theft charge.
The FBI and DEA assisted in the investigation with the California Department of Health Care Services.
This story was originally published April 16, 2019 at 3:07 PM.
