Photo provided by Citrus Co. Sheriff's Office shows arrest being made outside clinic.
People in nearby offices clapped and cheered as they watched the Citrus County Sheriff's Office detectives enter a pain clinic in Crystal River Thursday to close it, the detectives told us.
Citrus County Sheriff Jeff Dawsy said this was the largest operation to be shut down in Citrus County.
"This is part of our intelligence led policing efforts," he said. "We are hitting the prescription drug market hard. We will not tolerate this activity in our county."
Detective John Bergen led the investigative efforts in this case. The investigation revealed that the clinic, which was open in 2012 by Dr. Daniel McIntyre and Dr. Dennis Varel, dispensed 1.5 million narcotic pills like oxycodone, Xanax, Soma, Methadone, Oxycontin, with a street value of over $12 million.
According to the police report, Dr. Dennis Varel died in January 2012 from an apparent overdose. Dr. McIntyre had prior felony charges and couldn't work at a clinic legally, which didn't stop him from writing over 170 prescriptions in 5 hours, the detectives found out.
"This man will no longer be selling these drugs to anyone inside or outside of our county," said Det. Bergen.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, State Attorney's Office, Hernando County Sheriff's Office and the Pinellas County Pill Diversion Task Force joined efforts in the investigation.
Dr. McIntyre is charged with two counts of trafficking in oxycodone.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:53 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:53:15 GMT
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:11 AM EDT2013-05-18 15:11:49 GMT
If you're planning to put the expense of this summer's vacation on a credit card and pay it off over time, travel experts say you may want to avoid using reward cards.
If you're planning to put the expense of this summer's vacation on a credit card and pay it off over time, travel experts say you may want to avoid using reward cards.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:11 AM EDT2013-05-18 15:11:49 GMT
If you're planning to put the expense of this summer's vacation on a credit card and pay it off over time, travel experts say you may want to avoid using reward cards.
If you're planning to put the expense of this summer's vacation on a credit card and pay it off over time, travel experts say you may want to avoid using reward cards.
Photo provided by Citrus Co. Sheriff's Office shows arrest being made outside clinic.
