After a year of investigation Crystal River pain clinic closed - WFLA-TV Newschannel 8

After a year of investigation Crystal River pain clinic shuts down

Posted: Updated:
Photo provided by Citrus Co. Sheriff's Office shows arrest being made outside clinic. 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.

  • 8 On Your Side

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:04:59 GMT
    Big health insurance companies are predicting premium increases in 2014  for small employers and people who buy coverage on their own.
    Big health insurance companies are predicting premium increases in 2014  for small employers and people who buy coverage on their own.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
    The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
    Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
    Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
    The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
    The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Powered by WorldNow

200 South Parker Street, Tampa, FL 33606

Telephone: 813.228.8888
Fax: 813.225.2770
Email: news@wfla.com

Can’t find something?
Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General Company.