Doctor Arrested In Narcotics Probe: Havre de Grace Police

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — Authorities say two people have been arrested in connection with a narcotics probe. One of them is a doctor and the other is reportedly his girlfriend.

Police said the arrest of Dr. Thomas Francis Burke, 55, and Lindsay Nichole Smith, 33, both of the 200 block of Pointe Way in Havre de Grace, was the result of a 10-month narcotics investigation.

The arrests came after the DEA, Harford County Sheriff's Office and Harford County Joint Narcotics Task Force executed search warrants at Burke's residence and his medical practice in Bel Air, according to the Havre de Grace Police Department.

"The ongoing investigation determined that controlled prescription medications were being issued to unauthorized persons, and redistributed illegally within the community," the Havre de Grace Police Department said in a statement issued on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Police said that criminal and administrative charges are pending against Burke for violating laws that govern medical standards.

He was indicted Jan. 31 on an obstruction of justice charge stemming from activity Aug. 8 to Aug. 10, 2017. He was ordered held without bail until Feb. 13, when he was released on $50,000 bond.

Burke was "harboring someone who was doing multiple illegal things, selling and possessing drugs," Havre de Grace Corporal Daniel Petz told The Aegis.

Smith has been charged with 25 drug-related offenses, according to court records: eight counts of possession of drugs other than marijuana, eight counts of drug distribution, eight counts of possession with intent to distribute drugs, and illegal possession of prescription drugs with intent to distribute.

The drugs in question were benzodiazepines (tranquilizers) Ativan and Valium; pain reliever Tramadol; blood pressure medicine Clonidine; and erectile dysfunction medicine Viagra, The Aegis reported.

Court records show the drug offenses stemmed from alleged activity in summer 2017 (on Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 10 and Aug. 12) and more recently, on Jan. 19, 2018.

Smith was indicted Jan. 31 and was held without bail until Feb. 13, when court records show she was released after posting $30,000 bond.

Both Burke and Smith are slated to appear for a scheduling conference March 5 in Harford County Circuit Court.

In the meantime, police told ABC 2 News that additional charges against Burke may come about, and Smith is required to seek treatment for drug addiction.

Photos of Dr. Thomas Francis Burke and Lindsay Nichole Smith courtesy of the Havre de Grace Police Department.