Westside Pharmacist Arrested On Federal Drug Charges
by ABC-7 Reporter Martin Bartlett
EL PASO, Texas — A Westside pharmacist and one of his technicians were in federal custody Wednesday afternoon after being arrested on federal drug charges.
Federal agents had been watching the Continental Pharmacy in the 7400 block of Remcon for years, FBI officials said.
Pharmacist Peter Ayika and technician Francisco “Frank” Lozano both worked at Continental Pharmacy.
FBI officials said the pair was arrested Wednesday morning on charges that they violated the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Health care fraud charges could soon be brought against the two as well, FBI officials said.
FBI special agents along with agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency searched the pharmacy’s office. They also had a warrant to search Ayika’s home on Desert Jewel Drive on the Westside.
FBI officials said Ayika had recently built up tall walls around the house and had security cameras installed, which is why they had to use the SWAT team to search the home.
If you have had your prescriptions filled at Continental any time in the last five years, you might be a victim, officials said, since your insurance may have been taken advantage of as part of the scheme. You can call the FBI office at 832-5000.
