A federal jury in the Southern District of Florida has convicted Olushola Yusuf, a licensed pharmacist and owner of two South Florida businesses, for illegally dispensing over 300,000 high-dose oxycodone pills to individuals without a medical need.
Details of the Case
Yusuf, 60, of Tampa, was found guilty of conspiracy to illegally distribute drugs and five counts of illegal drug distribution. Federal prosecutors presented evidence at trial showing that Yusuf dispensed 335,351 pills of 30mg oxycodone—the maximum available strength—to nearly all of her customers.
Yusuf operated two businesses: Boots LLC, doing business as Striderite, located in Margate, and Chans Pharmacy Plus, Inc., located in Pembroke Pines. Customers traveled from across the state to obtain prescriptions at these locations after being turned away by other pharmacies. Some individuals paid up to $1,000 per month in cash, with Yusuf charging approximately ten times the standard market cost for the medication.
Trial testimony revealed that some recipients were drug dealers purchasing pills on behalf of dozens of absent individuals. Witnesses also testified that Yusuf kept her pharmacy doors locked during normal business hours, instructing staff to admit only specific clients.
Reaction from Authorities
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division stated, ‘The defendant abused the public trust by using her pharmacies to unlawfully distribute deadly opioids.’ U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida added, ‘She knowingly flooded South Florida communities with more than 335,000 high-dose oxycodone pills, even after her employees and the DEA warned her about the dangers of her conduct.’
Several federal agencies participated in the joint investigation, including the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
