DEA arrests Madera pharmacist for alleged illegal distribution of oxycodone, hydrocodone

A Madera, Calif. pharmacist and two others were arrested by the Drug Enforcement Agency on charges of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and hydrocodone. 

On Tuesday, April 16 pharmacist Vincent Ntukogu, 44, of Fresno was taken into custody after a federal grand jury returned a 42-count indictment, charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and 17 counts of distribution of controlled substances. 

Alleged co-conspirators Kelo White, 38, of Fresno, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and 12 counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Donald Ray Pierre, 50, of Fresno, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, 10 counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and two counts of identity theft.

Ntukogu, who owns and operates New Life Pharmacy in Madera, is alleged to have filled fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone and hydrocodone, Schedule II controlled substances, then dispensed the controlled substances to White and Pierre between December 2014 and November 2018.  

Ntukogu was arrested at the New Life Pharmacy in Madera while White and Pierre were arrested at Fresno residents. If convicted, Ntukogu, White and Pierre each face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine in connection with the drug charges. Additionally, Pierre faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine in connection with the identity theft charges.