WASHINGTON — Jury selection is slated to commence this week in the federal trial of a Maryland doctor who is accused of spearheading an opioid distribution network that sprawled across multiple states. Dr. Ndubuisi Joseph Okafor, from Upper Marlboro, is facing trial after allegations surfaced of him utilizing his medical practice to illicitly distribute vast quantities of prescription opioids.
The charges against Dr. Okafor include 29 felony counts of illegal distribution of opioids, significantly expanded from an initial 16 counts in 2023. Federal authorities contend that between March and November 2022, Dr. Okafor and his practice, Okafor Medical Associates, were involved in the prescription of over 200,000 pills of controlled substances in 37 states using fraudulent means.
Prosecutors describe the operation as a sophisticated “national criminal drug distribution ring,” facilitated by Dr. Okafor’s position as a licensed prescriber. According to court documents, the network allegedly utilized forged IDs and a cohort of loyal customers who facilitated the spread of illicit prescriptions across state lines.
As the trial approaches, federal prosecutors are preparing to present evidence that includes testimony from patients and former clients of Dr. Okafor. One record indicated a single patient received dozens of prescriptions filled in multiple states, which prosecutors argue illustrate the scope and organization of the illegal enterprise.
Medical experts and analyses of over 1,400 prescriptions penned by Dr. Okafor are expected to further strengthen the government’s case. These reviews reportedly reveal patterns consistent with “pill mill” operations, characterized by minimal patient exams and frequent opioid prescriptions. Additionally, interactions recorded between Dr. Okafor and undercover agents are said to show direct exchanges of cash for prescriptions in his office, akin to transactions seen in illicit drug trades.
On the defense front, Dr. Okafor, who denies all allegations and has pleaded not guilty, will be bringing his own medical experts to the trial. His defense team plans to demonstrate what they argue is a nuanced process of patient care administered by Dr. Okafor. U.S. District Judge John Bates has allowed Dr. Joe Ybarra, an emergency physician with nearly four decades of experience, to testify on behalf of Dr. Okafor’s prescribing practices.
Dr. Okafor, who previously faced and was convicted of tax evasion and health care fraud charges in Maryland, has been in custody without bond since his arrest. His dual citizenship in Nigeria and prior convictions were factors the court considered in deeming him a flight risk after approximately $210,000 was found during his arrest.
As proceedings begin in D.C., the implications for Dr. Okafor are severe, with potential sentences reaching up to 20 years in prison for each count if convicted. The unfolding case sheds light on the broader crisis of opioid misuse and the critical role of healthcare providers in curbing the epidemic of prescription drug abuse.
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