(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Usharani Alexander, who is accused of stealing thousands of oxycodone pills from Amneal Pharmaceuticals, her former employer.
“This defendant allegedly abused her position as an employed a pharmaceutical company by stealing and illegally distributing oxycodone pills, which are highly addictive, if not used properly,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We continue to see the tragic effects of opioid addiction and its damaging effects on our communities. This alleged theft and illegal distribution of more than 200,000 thousand oxycodone pills will not be tolerated.”
According to the investigation, Alexander, 63, allegedly stole thousands of oxycodone pills while she worked as an operator in the packaging department of Amneal Pharmaceuticals in Brookhaven in 2022. The company discovered the theft after an audit uncovered a discrepancy between the number of oxycodone pills that were manufactured, and the number of pills that were actually packaged for distribution. An internal investigation, including a review of video surveillance, identified Alexander as the individual allegedly responsible for the theft.
The defendant allegedly used her key card to gain access into the packaging area at a time when she was not scheduled to be there.
Alexander is charged with:
Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A1 felony; Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony; and Four counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony.
She faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the top charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree.
Today at the arraignment on the indictment, Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Stephen L. Braslow released the defendant with supervised release and GPS conditions as these crimes are not bail eligible under New York State law. She is being represented by Steven Gaitman, Esq and her next court date is January 30, 2023.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lauren Golombek of the Narcotics Bureau.