Local Pharmacist Charged With Selling Drugs Without Prescriptions

A West Orange pharmacist has been arrested and charged for selling oxycodone to those without a prescription, according to authorities. 

Leonard “Lenny” Stefanelli, 48, of East Hanover, is part-owner and head pharmacist of the West Orange Pharmacy Inc., at 443 Main St. He was arrested Monday by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. 

Stefanelli is being charged by the US Attorney’s Office. Stefanelli made bail on Monday, but no date has been set for his arraignment, said Matthew Reilly, spokesperson for the US Attorney’s Office in New Jersey. 

Agents from the federal agency could be seen at the pharmacy on Monday morning and afternoon taking boxes in and out of the store. Both the federal agency and West Orange police had the pharmacy closed during that time. 

Stefanelli reportedly sold oxycodone to “confidential sources" on six separate occasions between Feb. 1 and Aug. 6, 2012, according to a criminal complaint issued in Newark by the US District Court on Sept. 7.

In one instance around Feb. 8, a source bought OxyCotin from Stefanelli in two 200-count tablet bottles for $1,800. The source did not have a prescription, nor did Stefanelli ask for one. 

Oxycodone is a synthetic opiate similar to morphine, but twice as potent, according to the complaint. It also has a high risk of being abused. The drug is used in OxyCotin, which is manufactured by Purdue Pharma. 

Calls for comment to the pharmacy were denied. The pharmacy is currently still open.