Detroit Pharmacist Charged With Forging Prescriptions, Money Laundering
DETROIT (WWJ) - The United Attorney's Office says a man who operated a Detroit pharmacy has been indicted on charges he knowingly filled forged prescriptions for controlled substances and used money from the scam to purchase luxury vehicles and a home in West Bloomfield.
Investigators say 41-year-old Michael Madu of West Bloomfield was charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances and money laundering. Madu operated Mykal's Discount Pharmacy on Livernois Avenue in Detroit.
According to the indictment, Madu knowingly filled forged prescriptions for Opana, Vicodin and Xanax. Investigators say Madu used the proceeds from the conspiracy to purchase two Infiniti vehicles and a residence in West Bloomfield.
The indictment says in April of 2010, Madu used a $42,758 cashier's check, bought with money from his pharmacy's bank account, to buy a 2008 Infiniti. Four months later, he used a $39,000 cashier's check to buy a 2011 Infiniti, and a week later he used another cashier's check for $324,974 to buy a home in West Bloomfield.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert Corso said Madu abused his position of trust as a pharmacist, and jeopardized numerous lives by illegally distributing controlled substances throughout southeast Michigan.
A second individual was also charged in the indictment -- Tajkease Davis allegedly helped distribute the prescription drugs after they were filled, for illegitimate purposes.
