Florida

South Florida Doctor, Medical Assistants Arrested on Pill Mill Charges

Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested a pain doctor and two of his medical assistants on charges of operating a pill mill in the Miami area Tuesday.

Dr. Armando Falcon of the Pain Center of Cutler Bay was arrested at his home on 103rd Terrace in SW Miami Dade when leaving for work, according to a news release.

In the release, the DEA said the arrest was the result of a lengthy undercover investigation. They say Falcon's pain management clinic was used as a cover to illegally sell large quantities of prescription pain killers.

The DEA said their investigation revealed that Dr. Falcon met with patients for less than two minutes before writing prescriptions for approximately 150, 30mg, oxycodone pills. 

They say he accepted cash payments only and saw between 20-25 patients per day. They believe he earned more than $1 million a year from it.

The DEA says Dr. Falcon's bank records show he used the money to purchase apartments on the beach, boats, expensive cars and houses. 

Two office managers who worked with Dr. Falcon were also arrested. They've been identified by the Florida's Attorney General's Office as Claudia Centeno and Reveka Karagianni. The AG's office release said they would print out prescriptions "usually before Dr. Falcon arrived at work--in an effort to expedite the process."

All three face charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, trafficking oxycodone, money laundering, continuing a criminal enterprise and structuring transactions. 

While federal agents arrested and searched the doctor's home, another set of agents searched the clinic located at 10961 186th Street in Cutler Bay.

Outside the clinic, there are large advertisements for medical marijuana and a sign that reads "Miami420doctors.com." But the charges against Falcon do not indicate anything related to medical marijuana. Another doctor who is a part of the state's medical marijuana registry is listed as the physician.

Dr. Falcon has been practicing medicine in Florida for 16 years and has no discipline on record, according to the Florida Department of Health.

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