Joint DEA, FDA, Hacienda, ASSMCA AND PRPD Investigation Results In The Arrest Of Pharmacist Pedro J. Colon – Cardona

OCT 6--H.S. Garcia, United States Attorney, District of Puerto Rico, Jerome M. Harris, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Ralph Caulking, Acting Resident Agent in Charge, Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, (FDA-OCI), announced today that on October 6, 2004, a Federal Grand Jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a true bill indictment against Pedro J. COLON-Cardona. charging him with violations to Title 21, United States Code. The indictment cited one count to Section 841(a)(1), for unlawful distribution/dispensing controlled substances. In addition, Colón-Cardona’s Pharmacist License with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Department of Health was subject to forfeiture pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 853(a)(2). On the same date Honorable US Magistrate Camille Velez-Rive, issued an arrest warrant for Pedro J. Colón-Cardona.

On October 25, 2002, Colón-Cardona surrendered the DEA registration that allowed Farmacia Colón to possess and dispense controlled substances to the public. Between 10/25/02 to 03/25/03 the defendant, Colón-Cardona dispensed approximately 200 controlled substances prescriptions. Defendant Colón-Cardona was the sole Pharmacist at Farmacia Colón. On October 7, 2004, FDA/OCI Special Agents arrested Colón-Cardona without incident at Farmacia Colón, located at Salinas, P.R.

Penalties for convictions of the offenses alleged in the indictment include a maximum penalty of 20 years of imprisonment, and fines up to $1,000,000 dollars.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial and the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Federal grand jury charges and indictment are the result of a year long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration Caribbean Division, Diversion Group (DEA Diversion), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) , and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Puerto Rico. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A Ruiz.