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RCMP has laid new charges against an owner and two associates of a Hamilton Mountain pharmacy, alleging more than 400,000 doses of prescription narcotics, including fentanyl, were diverted to the black market.
Angelo Kirkopolous, 41, of Hamilton is charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl, oxycodone and amphetamine) for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000, and 10 counts of trafficking a controlled substance (oxycodone, hydromorphone, fentanyl, clonazepam, codeine, alprazolam, amphetamine, buprenorphine and hydrocodone).
He was the co-owner of Mt. Cross Pharmacy at 503 Concession St., where RCMP allege there was a drug conspiracy in operation. The investigation began last February after a tip about the possible “diversion of opioids” and included help from Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Health Canada and the Ontario College of Pharmacists.
The pharmacy’s online profile with the college states the business is “not entitled to operate” and has been sold.
The Ontario College of Pharmacists said the business was sold effective Monday and now operates as Joice Pharmacy and Medical Clinic.
The new charges against Kirkopolous were laid in October and are in addition to other charges from last May, when the RCMP first arrested Kirkopoulos on an unrelated financial crime section investigation.
Arresting officers allegedly found him with 6,800 oxycodone tablets, 40 100-microgram fentanyl patches and more than $60,000 in cash. Kirkopolous is not a pharmacist – he was the business’s accountant – and did not have authorization to possess the drugs.
At that time, he was charged with fraud under $5,000, uttering forged documents and two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The pharmacy’s then co-owner Umair Nasim, a pharmacist, was charged with contravening regulations under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
According to his member profile on the Ontario College of Pharmacists, he is still allowed to provide patient care, but with conditions.
Nasim was released on an undertaking with conditions that also include not being allowed to go near the Concession Street address. He’s not allowed to order narcotics under any circumstances and cannot dispense narcotics unless under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
An internal investigation by the college alleges Nasim committed two counts of professional misconduct, including failing to keep drugs secure from theft, failing to count narcotics and failing to keep adequate records and unsubstantiated billing. No hearing date has been set for these professional charges.
The investigation by the Hamilton Niagara Regional Detachment Serious and Organized Crime Section has continued after the first two arrests last May.
On Friday, two others were arrested and charged.
Nick Monasteridis, 50, of Burford, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance (fentanyl, hydromorphone, oxycodone, codeine, clonazepam, hydrocodone, buprenorphine, and alprazolam.
Hans Lauro, 32, of Mississauga, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in a controlled substance (hydromorphone, oxycodone, and amphetamine).