Warren Doctor Helped Give Addictive Opioids To Drug Ring: AG

WARREN, NJ — A Warren doctor from Edison was sentenced seven years in state prison for working with another doctor to supply a drug ring with tens of thousands of high-dose pills of the highly addictive opioid painkiller oxycodone.

Andrew Stoveken, 68, of Edison was sentenced on Friday, yet allowed to remain free on bail while he pursues an appeal of his conviction, according to Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal

Stoveken pleaded guilty on Aug. 21 to second-degree charges of conspiracy and distribution of controlled dangerous substance (oxycodone).

Stoveken ran a hearing aid company and shared an office in Warren, with Dr. George Beecher, who was sentenced to prison earlier this month. Stoveken acted as a middleman between Beecher and the drug ring. (See Related: Warren Doctor Sentenced For Giving Pain Pills To Drug Ring: AG)

Beecher, 78, of New Providence, an ear, nose and throat specialist, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison by Judge Bucca on Dec. 3. Beecher pleaded guilty on Sept. 19 to second-degree charges of conspiracy and distribution of oxycodone. He permanently surrendered his medical license.

“Stoveken profited by facilitating the illicit distribution of thousands of high-dose oxycodone pills,” said Attorney General Grewal. “This prison sentence reflects our determination to stop the pill mills supplying the black market for opioid pain pills, which are starting so many users on the devastating and often deadly path of opioid addiction.”

(Image via Attorney General's Office: Andrew Stoveken, 68, of Edison who ran a hearing aid company and shared an office in Warren)

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