3 Accused Of Running Rx Cough Syrup Scam, Greenwich Cops Say

GREENWICH, CT — Three people were arrested by Greenwich police on fraud and narcotics charges last week after they allegedly scammed a local pharmacy to score prescription cough syrup that contained codeine, authorities said.

The incident occurred on Nov. 23 after the three obtained a supply of the narcotic from North Street Pharmacy, and staff realized the three used undisclosed fraudulent means to get it.

According to Greenwich Police Lt. John Slusarz, the pharmacy alerted police that the trio would be returning to the shop for more drugs, so the department dispatched undercover and uniformed officers to apprehend them.

Arrested in the pharmacy's parking lot were: Thomas Martinez, 21, of Cincinnati, OH; Vecus Darcie, 20, of New York, NY; and William Tifa, 21, also of New York, NY.

Slusarz said that in addition to the North Street Pharmacy, the three had scammed codeine-based cough syrup from four other unnamed pharmacies.

"It can be addictive," said Slusarz of the substance, adding that there is a black market for it.

Darcie and Tifa each were held in lieu of bail of $50,000, while Martinez was released on a promise to appear in Stamford Superior Court.

Photo credit: Alfred Branch

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