copobo
07-09-2010, 08:57 PM
Is this the first arrest of a Doctor?
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Cops: Aurora doctor wrote fake med-pot recommendations - The Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_15478453?source=rss)
Cops: Aurora doctor wrote fake med-pot recommendations
By Howard Pankratz
The Denver Post
POSTED: 07/09/2010 02:25:47 PM MDT
UPDATED: 07/09/2010 02:27:26 PM MDT
Manuel Aquino-Villaman
Aurora police have arrested a doctor they say wrote false recommendations for medical marijuana.
Manuel Aquino-Villaman, 69, who is licensed in Colorado to practice medicine, came to the attention of narcotics investigators when they began to encounter a disproportionate number of patients in possession of recommendations from Aquino-Villaman, said a statement issued by Aurora Police spokesman Bob Friel.
Investigators allege that Aquino-Villaman wrote "medical marijuana physician's certificates" for people who were not ill. The certificates allow individuals to legally purchase marijuana.
"This is an unfortunate case of a doctor deliberately using the facade of 'medical marijuana' to help distribute large amounts of marijuana illegally," said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates.
According to Aurora police, undercover officers visited Aquino-Villaman, who gave each of the officers a recommendation for marijuana without physically examining them and without any evidence that the undercover officers were ill.
The doctor signed a card for both officers stating that each was complaining of severe pain and eligible to obtain medical marijuana under Colorado law.
Investigators allege that Aquino-Villaman spent just minutes with the officers and charged them $125 for the appointment.
After seeing the undercover officers, Aquino-Villaman was arrested at his office at 3033 S. Parker Road.
He is being held for investigation of attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
His bond has been set at $6,000.
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Cops: Aurora doctor wrote fake med-pot recommendations - The Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_15478453?source=rss)
Cops: Aurora doctor wrote fake med-pot recommendations
By Howard Pankratz
The Denver Post
POSTED: 07/09/2010 02:25:47 PM MDT
UPDATED: 07/09/2010 02:27:26 PM MDT
Manuel Aquino-Villaman
Aurora police have arrested a doctor they say wrote false recommendations for medical marijuana.
Manuel Aquino-Villaman, 69, who is licensed in Colorado to practice medicine, came to the attention of narcotics investigators when they began to encounter a disproportionate number of patients in possession of recommendations from Aquino-Villaman, said a statement issued by Aurora Police spokesman Bob Friel.
Investigators allege that Aquino-Villaman wrote "medical marijuana physician's certificates" for people who were not ill. The certificates allow individuals to legally purchase marijuana.
"This is an unfortunate case of a doctor deliberately using the facade of 'medical marijuana' to help distribute large amounts of marijuana illegally," said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates.
According to Aurora police, undercover officers visited Aquino-Villaman, who gave each of the officers a recommendation for marijuana without physically examining them and without any evidence that the undercover officers were ill.
The doctor signed a card for both officers stating that each was complaining of severe pain and eligible to obtain medical marijuana under Colorado law.
Investigators allege that Aquino-Villaman spent just minutes with the officers and charged them $125 for the appointment.
After seeing the undercover officers, Aquino-Villaman was arrested at his office at 3033 S. Parker Road.
He is being held for investigation of attempting to influence a public servant and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
His bond has been set at $6,000.