SOCU not called to assist U.S. with investigations – Sydney James

TIMES INT'L
GPHC Chairman, Dr Noel Blackman
GPHC Chairman,
Dr Noel Blackman

In light of the recent arrest of Dr Noel Blackman in the United States of America for illegally writing a large number of prescriptions for narcotic-based painkillers, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) said it was not contacted to offer assistance in the investigation.

Head of the Unit, Sydney James when asked for a comment noted that the investigation is being headed by the United States authorities and while Guyana and the US have some amount of cooperation, the Unit has not been called upon to lend its expertise.

He further stated once the US indicates its interest for SOCU to assist, the request would have to be made through the Public Security Minister.

Dr Blackman, who was recently appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was arrested and charged in the US for the illegal prescriptions.

It was reported that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) suspected that Dr Blackman was illegally prescribing vast amounts of oxycodone – 365,000 pills in 2015 – in a drug-dealing enterprise spanning three states.

According to reports, FBI agents took Dr Blackman, 68, into custody after they ordered a Guyana-bound jet taxiing for takeoff with him on board at the John F Kennedy International Airport, to return to the airport terminal.

Dr Blackman, who was under investigation for several weeks, was intent on permanently leaving the United States, according to a tip agents received before they headed him off at the airport. After the plane returned to the terminal about midnight on Sunday, Dr Blackman was arrested and later charged with conspiracy to distribute the narcotic.

Reports are according to his prescription records checked by federal authorities, the 365,000 Oxycodone pills came from 2487 prescriptions – a marked increase from the 114 he wrote for 3800 pills in 2014 and 63 written in 2013 for 2100 pills.

Attempts to contact the Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton for a comment on Dr Blackman’s replacement on the GPHC Board proved futile. It was, however, hinted that Dr Max Hanoman will be the replacement, but this could not have been confirmed.

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