East Hartford Doctor Sold Oxy Prescriptions: Fed Authorities

EAST HARTFORD, CT — An East Hartford doctor was arrested for allegedly illegally prescribing oxycodone and prescription medical marijuana, according to federal authorities.

Dr. Sheikh Ahmed, 55, of Orange was arrested Wednesday and is free on $200,000 bond.

Ahmed is a pediatrician at East Hartford Medical Center, but his practice doesn't appear to focus on children, according to the U.S. Attorney District of Connecticut office.

Between October 2017 and May 2019 law enforcement set up an investigation that involved an undercover agent who would typically pay $500 for a prescription without a medical examination. He also suggested dosages that wouldn't attract regulatory attention and which pharmacies weren't careful about monitoring prescriptions, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

A cooperating individual also obtained a medical marijuana card for $250 from Ahmed who "diagnosed" the individual with complex regional pain syndrome.

Ahmed certified about 165 medical marijuana cards most of which were done under diagnoses of either post traumatic stress disorder or complex regional pain syndrome, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

He was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting the possession of controlled substances outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose.

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