DEA Enforcement Actions and Penalties

The DEA has a broad range of enforcement tools at its disposal, and it may use these tools to pursue both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines, asset forfeiture, and the suspension or revocation of a provider’s registration. Criminal penalties can include jail time, probation, and asset forfeiture.

If you are facing DEA enforcement actions or are under investigation for possible violations of the CSA, you should speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. The DEA can take many actions as penalties:

• Suspend or revoke a registrant’s registration
• Assess civil monetary penalties against a registrant
• Refer the case to the U.S. Department of Justice for criminal prosecution
• Deny an application for registration or renewal of registration
• Refer the case to state licensing boards for disciplinary action against a registrant’s state license(s) to practice medicine, pharmacy, etc.

The DEA has a long history of aggressively pursuing enforcement actions against registrants who violate the CSA. In the past, the DEA has initiated enforcement actions against a wide range of registrants, including physicians, pharmacists, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies.

DEA Compliance Programs

In addition to these traditional enforcement actions, the DEA has also initiated a number of compliance-related programs that are designed to help registrants comply with their obligations under the CSA. These programs include:

The Diversion Control Division’s Office of Diversion Control’s Compliance Program

The goal of this program is to help registrants comply with their obligations under the CSA and prevent diversion of controlled substances. The program includes educational materials and resources, as well as on-site visits by DEA Diversion Investigators.

DEFENSE TEAM SPOTLIGHT

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Lead Attorney & Founder

Featured on Netflix's "Inventing Anna," Todd Spodek brings decades of high-stakes criminal defense experience. His aggressive approach has secured dismissals and acquittals in cases others deemed unwinnable.

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Legal Scenario: What Would You Do?

Scenario

Federal agents execute a search warrant at your medical practice, seizing patient records and prescription logs.

Can they take patient records without patient consent?

Attorney's Answer

A valid federal search warrant overrides HIPAA privacy protections. However, the warrant must be properly scoped. An attorney can challenge overly broad warrants and move to suppress improperly seized evidence.

This is general information only. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

This program is designed to help state and local law enforcement agencies track controlled substances that are dispensed by pharmacies. The program includes a database that tracks controlled substances dispensed by pharmacies in each state.

The Office of Diversion Control’s Regulatory Compliance Unit