LANSING (WWJ) A West Bloomfield man, who owns a pain clinic in Detroit, was arraigned Friday on charges of operating a “pill mill.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Salahuddin Ahmad, 69, allegedly gave prescriptions for “Norcos” without physical evaluation at the Managing Health Pain Clinic on 8 Mile Road. The “highly addictive and popular pain” contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
The clinic accepted cash for the prescriptions— fulfilled at local pharmacies, according to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. Michigan State Police conducted an undercover investigation.
Ahmad was charged with One Count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, Two Counts of Controlled Substance Delivery/Manufacture less than 50 grams, and Felony Firearm.
One of his employees will face the same charges. Two of his other employees will receive all of the charges, except Felony Firearm.
“The over proliferation of pain pills continues to exacerbate the opioid crisis plaguing our state and nation,” Nessel said in the press release. “Flooding the streets with pain pills and ignoring prescription protocol, to churn a fast and steady profit, is not a business model — its’ a criminal enterprise, and one we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. We cannot allow these pill mills to continue to illegally operate and prey on people who need addiction services, not easier access to drugs.”
Ahmad will appear for a probable cause conference on April 9th and a preliminary examination on April 16th. The charged employees have not yet been arraigned.