BALTIMORE PHARMACIST CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL
DISTRIBUTION OF OXYCODONE AND HYDROCODONE

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that Hyacinth Uche, a pharmacist in Baltimore City, has been charged in a 20-count indictment with the illegal distribution of Schedule II narcotics.

The indictment charges that on 10 different occasions over a 31-day period beginning on August 28, 2001,Uche illegally distributed the prescription medications Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. Uche, of the 1400 block of King William Drive in Woodlawn, is the owner of HISCO Pharmacy, located at 5613 Belair Road in Baltimore. In addition to the distribution counts, Uche is also charged with 10 counts of unlawfully distributing controlled dangerous substances in a manner outside the scope of his professional duties as a pharmacist.

Distribution of narcotics is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Unlawful distribution by a pharmacist is a misdemeanor punishable by not more than two years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Bail has been set at $100,000. Arraignment is scheduled for October 21st.

An indictment is but an accusation based upon a finding of probable cause and a defendant is innocent unless proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

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