Texas Doctor Charged with Illegally Distributing Millions of Opioid Pills

# Texas Doctor Charged with Illegally Distributing Millions of Opioid Pills

James Robles, 70, a licensed physician from Weslaco, Texas, was indicted in the Southern District of Texas on charges of illegally distributing controlled substances through a cash-only clinic in Houston. According to the indictment, Robles conspired with others to prescribe oxycodone, hydrocodone, and carisoprodol to individuals who posed as patients but were actually recruited by "crew leaders" to fill prescriptions for resale on the black market.

Over four years, Robles allegedly prescribed approximately 2.9 million hydrocodone pills, 1.3 million oxycodone pills, and 1.1 million carisoprodol pills. The scheme generated over $2 million in cash deposits to accounts controlled by Robles within less than three years. Court documents indicate Robles often failed to examine patients before issuing prescriptions for the high-demand controlled substances.

Robles faces three felony counts: conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distributing and dispensing controlled substances, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Each count carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence. The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating the case, with prosecution handled by the Department of Justice's Criminal Division Fraud Section.