A doctor practicing in Washington, D.C., Ndubuisi Joseph Okafor, M.D., aged 63, has been apprehended and made his initial court appearance following accusations of unlawfully distributing opioids in exchange for cash. Doctor Okafor, residing in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was taken into custody at his medical practice and faces 16 counts related to the illegal distribution of these powerful prescription drugs.
The announcement of the charges was a joint effort from key law enforcement figures, including U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Assistant Director David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, Inspector General for the District of Columbia Daniel W. Lucas, and Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division.
Court documents reveal disturbing allegations against Doctor Okafor. It is claimed that he was involved in distributing oxycodone to individuals outside the bounds of legitimate medical practice and without any genuine medical justification. Operating from his clinic in Washington, D.C., Doctor Okafor allegedly conducted superficial examinations of individuals. Furthermore, he is accused of soliciting and accepting cash payments within the examination rooms of his clinic in return for opioid prescriptions.
Should Doctor Okafor be convicted on these charges, he could face severe repercussions. Each count of illegal opioid distribution carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Mayer-Dempsey from the District of Columbia’s United States Attorney’s Office, alongside Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Kilby Macfadden of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section.
A collaborative effort of multiple agencies is behind the investigation into Doctor Okafor. The FBI’s Washington Field Office, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the DC-Office of Inspector General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) have all played crucial roles. The Drug Enforcement Administration Washington Division provided significant assistance and also served an Immediate Suspension Order (ISO) on Dr. Okafor’s DEA registration. This decisive action was taken because it was determined that Doctor Okafor presented an imminent threat to public health and safety due to the scale of his alleged unlawful opioid distribution.
The Fraud Section spearheads the New England Prescription Opioid (NEPO) Strike Force, an initiative established in late 2018. NEPO, along with the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force, works in partnership with federal and state law enforcement agencies and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across New England and Appalachia. Their mission is to prosecute medical professionals and others implicated in the illegal prescribing and distribution of opioids. Over the past four years, NEPO and ARPO have collectively charged over 115 defendants who are responsible for prescriptions involving over 115 million controlled substance dosage units. To date, this has resulted in more than 70 convictions. Further details about these efforts can be found at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
For individuals impacted by this situation, resources for treatment and support are available. For those in Maryland who have been patients of this practice and are seeking information on mental health and substance use disorder treatment, access to naloxone, harm reduction services, and crisis helplines, the following Maryland resources are available:
- To locate substance use treatment facilities, please visit: https://findtreatment.gov/
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for access to Maryland’s suicide and behavioral health crisis hotline.
- Naloxone: Public Overdose Response Programs in Maryland distribute naloxone and can be located through this list. https://health.maryland.gov/pha/NALOXONE/Pages/Home.aspx provides a locator map. Naloxone is also available at local pharmacies and may be covered by insurance and Medicaid.
Residents of the District of Columbia in need of information regarding mental health or substance use disorder services can contact the Department of Behavioral Health 24/7 Access Helpline at 1-888-793-4357 or visit www.dbh.dc.gov.
Additionally, for broader access to opioid treatment services, individuals can contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24/7 National Helpline at 1-800-662-4359 for treatment referrals.
It is crucial to recognize the extreme dangers associated with illicitly obtained medications. These substances are frequently misrepresented and often contain contaminants, including highly potent substances like fentanyl, which significantly elevate the risk of overdose and fatality.
It is important to remember that an indictment is simply an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
