Earlier this week, two pharmacists and a street narcotics dealer were sentenced to prison for their roles in the illegal distribution of oxycodone. The sentences were handed down at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn by United States District Court Judge Ann M. Donnelly.
Pharmacist Mohamed Hassan received 18 years’ imprisonment, while Anthony Mathis, identified as a street narcotics dealer, was sentenced to 36 months. On December 16, pharmacist Yousef Ennab was sentenced to 30 months. In addition to their prison terms, Mathis and Ennab were ordered to pay forfeiture amounts of $535,989.12 and $13,472.76 respectively; Hassan’s forfeiture amount will be determined later. Both Ennab and Hassan were convicted after trial on charges including conspiracy to dispense and distribute oxycodone. Mathis had previously pleaded guilty.
The investigation and prosecution were led by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino III of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Naomi Gruchacz from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) New York; Jessica S. Tisch from the New York City Police Department (NYPD); Jocelyn E. Strauber from the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI); and Dr. James V. McDonald from the New York State Department of Health.
“The opioid epidemic has caused incalculable harm in our communities, and this criminal ring fueled the proliferation of pills on the street,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The corrupt pharmacists who filled illegitimate oxycodone prescriptions to supply drug dealers, acted out of pure greed and complete disregard for the harm they were causing. The prison sentences meted out, and my Office’s prosecution of the scheme, demonstrates the Office’s and law enforcement’s commitment to hold accountable all the actors for their roles in this scourge.”
Mr. Nocella thanked additional law enforcement partners including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Office of the New York State Comptroller; New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; and New York National Guard.
“Pharmacists swear an oath to protect lives, not endanger them,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Tarentino. “By illegally distributing oxycodone, these individuals betrayed their profession, their communities, and the public’s trust. The DEA will not distinguish between those who wear a white coat and those who traffic drugs. Anyone who fuels addiction for profit will be held accountable.”
“Today’s sentences send a clear message that those who exploit their positions of trust to fuel the opioid crisis will be held accountable,” stated HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Gruchacz.
IRS-CI Special Agent Chavis added: “Using their positions as pharmacists to scheme and cheat the system, Ennab and Hassan dispensed oxycodone to their vulnerable clientele with full knowledge of its addictive qualities… Today’s sentencing was made possible with collaborative efforts… now each will finally see full consequences.”
DOI Commissioner Strauber noted: “The prison sentences imposed this week hold defendants… accountable for a criminal scheme that sent more than 1.6 million pills… into our City’s streets.”
Dr. McDonald stated: “The illegal distribution of opioids carries devastating cost… When a pharmacist entrusted to care for patients betrays that trust, damage can be irreparable…. We remain committed to supporting prevention… ensuring people struggling with substance use have access to quality treatment.”
According to evidence presented at trial and court filings: Hassan owned stakes in about 20 pharmacies across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island—some under names like Nile RX or Forest Care—and Ennab served as supervising pharmacist at one location in Staten Island controlled by Hassan.
Their operation involved filling fraudulent prescriptions written from a Brooklyn practice described as a pill mill—often without patient examination or using stolen identities—and then distributing high-strength oxycodone pills through pharmacy locations linked with Hassan.
Drug dealers such as Mathis collected these pills from pharmacies after making cash payments; insurance companies were billed despite no legitimate medical need being present.
Mathis also recruited individuals—sometimes using stolen identities—to serve as nominal patients whose names appeared on prescriptions picked up by others like co-defendant Michael Kent.
In total over 1.6 million oxycodone pills valued at over $48 million on street markets were distributed through this operation.
Seven other co-defendants—including Kent (previously sentenced), Dr. Somsri Ratanaprasatporn (previously sentenced), her receptionist Leticia Smith (awaiting sentencing), Bassam Amin (awaiting sentencing), Omar Elsayed (awaiting sentencing), Raymond Walker (previously sentenced)—have pleaded guilty based on involvement in related activities.
Prosecution is managed by Assistant U.S Attorneys Laura Zuckerwise, Victor Zapana & Gilbert M Rein; Claire Kedeshian handles asset forfeiture matters.
The U.S Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of New York serves Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island along with Nassau & Suffolk counties via offices located in Brooklyn & Central Islip (official website). It prosecutes federal crimes—including cases like this—and manages civil litigation (official website). The office also provides assistance programs for victims/witnesses while promoting community outreach initiatives (official website).
