FLORIDA – A Florida pharmacist has pleaded guilty to distributing a variety of opioids and benzodiazepines without a prescription.
Basil Samir Itani, 46, of Titusville, has pleaded guilty to distributing and dispensing controlled substances, said United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Itani faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, on nine occasions beginning on January 5, 2023, and continuing through May 24, 2023, a confidential source purchased controlled substances from Itani for cash without a prescription after hours at Itani’s pharmacy.
These controlled substances reportedly included oxycodone, methadone, alprazolam, methylphenidate, and morphine. Itani distributed and dispensed these controlled substances in an unauthorized manner by acting outside the usual course of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Titusville Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Testerman is prosecuting it.
