Taxiing Jet Told to Return to JFK, Doctor Arrested in Drug Operation

Authorities grounded a jet taxiing for takeoff to arrest a Long Island doctor accused of illegally prescribing more than 350,000 oxycodone pills in a drug-dealing operation.

Newsday reports that Dr. Noel Blackman was arrested Sunday night at John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

Federal agents were tipped off that the Guyana native planned to leave the country permanently and ordered a jet bound for the South American country to return as it was taxiing for takeoff.

Officials said $30,000 was stashed in the Far Rockaway doctor's luggage.

Blackman was arraigned Monday in Central Islip on a charge of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

Records show he wrote 114 prescriptions in 2014 for about 3,800 oxycodone pills and nearly 2,500 prescriptions for about 365,000 pills last year.

His attorney declined to comment.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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