THOUSAND OAKS – State investigators with California Department of Health Care Services and Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigations assigned to the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit have another fraudulent prescription bust to add to their list of accomplishments in their battle against prescription drug abuse.
On October 31, 2017, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of three individuals from Northern California who are suspected of using, and trying to use, fraudulent prescriptions to obtain prescription drugs at numerous pharmacies in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks.
“The amount of prescription drug abuse taking place in this country is astronomical,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona. “Taking on investigations to combat this widespread problem is not only commendable, it can only help society with public safety and productivity, not to mention it is working to save lives.”
Arrested on October 20, 2017 were Angela Breaux, 58, of Oakland; Daniel Adams, 21, of Lodi; and Lodi, Jaime Galindo, 30, of Stockton.
During the months of September and October 2017, numerous pharmacies in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks determined fraudulent prescriptions had been passed or attempted to be passed at their pharmacies. An investigation for fraudulent or forged prescriptions was initiated in both cities.
The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit (PCU) began an investigation, as well. The investigation determined an organized crime crew had been to the Ventura County area on several dates and passed, or attempted to pass, forged prescriptions.
Through its investigation, the PCU determined the suspects were involved in passing, or attempting to pass, up to a dozen forged prescriptions in Ventura County. On October 20th, 2017, the three suspects were identified and arrested as they attempted to pass a forged prescription at a pharmacy in the City of Thousand Oaks. The investigation revealed the suspects had been to additional pharmacies in Thousand Oaks and Oxnard on October 20th as well as October 19th.
All three suspects were booked into the Ventura County Jail on fraudulent prescription, identity theft, burglary and conspiracy to commit a felony charges.
On October 24th, 2017, the District Attorney’s Office elected to file charges against all three defendants. Angela Breaux and Jaime Galindo were each held with their bail set at $500,000. Breaux also had felony warrants for the same charges in Santa Clara County and the State of Nevada. Daniel Adams was held in custody with his bail set at $100,000.
This investigation is still ongoing as investigators search for additional victims and evidence related to this case. The PCU believes this forgery crew was organized and centered in the Oakland area. The PCU also believes there are potentially many more instances where this crew passed or attempted to pass forged prescriptions in Ventura County.
The public may contact investigators from the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit at (805) 383-8700 or pharm.tip@ventura.org with additional information about this case, or any other information related to narcotics.
The Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit is a task force made up of members from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Thousand Oaks Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the Ventura Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Health Quality Investigation Unit of the California Division of Investigation, and the California Department of Health Care Services.
The primary mission of the task force is combatting the transfer of legal prescription medication to the illegal market. In addition, the task force works to identify and stop new trends of abuse among the younger population and investigates overdose deaths due to both prescription medication and illicit drug use.
