A federal jury convicted Dr. Ndubuisi Joseph Okafor, 65, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on multiple charges related to the illegal distribution of narcotics from his Washington, D.C., medical clinic, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced Friday.
Dr. Okafor, the sole practitioner and owner of Okafor Medical Associates, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and unlawful distribution of controlled substances. The conviction follows an extensive investigation into Okafor’s illegal prescription practices, which were linked to drug trafficking networks across the country.
Between February and November 2022, FBI undercover agents and confidential informants visited Okafor’s clinic for appointments, where they were prescribed opioids with little to no examination. Okafor operated a widespread drug distribution scheme, issuing prescriptions to individuals using false identities, fully aware that the medications were being diverted for illicit purposes.
The investigation revealed that Okafor’s illegal activities spanned at least 45 states, resulting in the distribution of hundreds of thousands of oxycodone and promethazine with codeine units. Additionally, Okafor was convicted of distributing opioids to uncharged co-conspirators and a specific patient identified as J.V.
After receiving a complaint from J.V.’s family, the D.C. Board of Health informed Okafor, prompting him to backdate medical records in an attempt to justify his prescribing actions. Despite his efforts to cover up his actions, the investigation ultimately led to his conviction.
Okafor is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20, 2025, and faces significant penalties for his role in the illegal opioid distribution network that has plagued the nation.
This case highlights the ongoing challenge of opioid abuse and the critical role healthcare professionals play in preventing the diversion of prescription drugs into illegal markets.
