DEA To Doctor, “You’ve Been Served”
MIAMI, FL. - Drug Enforcement (DEA), Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville announces the Immediate Suspension of the DEA Certificate of Registration for Dr. Nader Shehata. The DEA and its state and local partners continue Operation Pill Nation enforcement and administrative actions today serving Dr. Shehata with an Immediate Suspension (ISO) pursuant to Sections 303 and 304 of the Controlled Substances (CSA), Title 21, Sections 823 and 824. The DEA’s investigation of Dr. Shehata has determined that his continued registration to prescribe controlled substances is inconsistent with the public interest and constitutes an imminent danger to public health and safety. DEA alleges that Dr. Shehata prescribed for other than a legitimate medical purpose and outside the scope of professional practice oxycodone, a schedule II controlled substance, and alprazolam, a schedule IV controlled substance, by issuing prescriptions to undercover law enforcement officers.
“Our work investigating the people involved in illegal, rogue pill mills is far from over. We have handcuffs and ISOs at the ready and as we finish our work today, we are already looking at the next clinic we’ll visit tomorrow,” said Special Agent in Charge Trouville.
Dr. Shehata will be given an opportunity for an administrative hearing, and after the hearing, the DEA Administrator will make a final decision on whether his DEA Certificate of Registration should be permanently revoked. This decision will be published in the Federal Register.
Additional agencies participating in Operation Pill Nation were the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Miami Dade Police Department, U.S. Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Hollywood Police Department, Sunrise Police Department, Palm Beach Gardens Police Department, Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud, Florida Department of Health, and Florida Highway Patrol. The Operation Pill Nation investigations are being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office, Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office and Broward County State Attorney’s Office.
