DEA calls A+ Pharmacy a threat to the public

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — One pharmacy in Chattanooga posed a threat to the community according to the DEA.

A+ Pharmacy on Highway 58 closed after the DEA arrested the owner.

Martin Redd is the diversion program manager with the DEA Louisville field division.

He explains the DEA’s involvement.

“This weekend we got what is called an immediate suspension order. This ISO is an administrative process that when we feel there is some type of imminent danger to the public or community,” said Redd.

Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of DEA’s Louisville Field Division said “What we’ve uncovered in this investigation is nothing short of egregious.”

The DEA found numerous discrepancies and violations dating back months.

Redd said, “We’ve executed that and seized all of their controlled substances and taken their DEA registration.”

Special Agent Scott called the case disturbing and said, “When the allegations are made public, the community will be stunned.”

Although authorities have not released all the details, Martin Redd did share some information.

He said, “There were sexual misconduct allegations, and we also know that there has been a considerable amount of diversion of controlled substances going on. which means the community has gotten controlled substances without a legitimate medical order from a practitioner.”

He added that as far as he knows the medications from this pharmacy are safe.

“The medications as far as we know have come in from a legitimate source. They are at a pharmacy and have been dispensed, most of them, through a legitimate practitioner’s way of an order,” said Redd.

The Pharmacy will remain closed and the owner will have 30 days to request a hearing to contest a suspension.

The DEA’s Knoxville District Office and the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy are handling the investigation.