The Drug Enforcement Agency arrested another person Tuesday at a DeKalb County pain clinic that was raided just three weeks ago.
Michael Assevero, a doctor at Southern Health Management, was arrested around 1 p.m. at the suspected "pill mill" on Northlake Parkway near Tucker, said DEA Special Agent Chuvalo Truesdell.
On June 14, the DEA raided the same clinic and arrested the two co-owners on drug distribution charges. Since then, Truesdell said the the agency had gathered enough evidence to arrest Assevero on the same charges.
Assevero is in custody at the Dekalb County jail on a conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone charge. There was no information available about his bond.
According to the Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, Assevero is licensed as a gynecologist and has staff privileges at South Fulton Hospital.
Tuesday's arrest didn't exactly stick to the script. Officers planned to arrest Assevero when the clinic opened at 9 a.m., but he didn't show up, Truesdell said.
Meanwhile, patients from as far away as Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina waited hours to see Assevero, who was the only doctor working at the clinic, Truesdell said. He said that was an indication of illegal activity.
"People know where the pill mills are; that's why they coming from Kentucky and Mississippi," Truesdell said. "They are committed to knowing that when they see that doctor, they're going to get what they're coming for."
"Pill Mills" are licensed clinics that illegally prescribe powerful pain and anxiety medications, Truesdell said. "If you go inside, you can just tell some of these people are drug seekers," he said.
Truesdell described the addictions fueled by these clinics as an epidemic, not much different than crack cocaine.
"The crack cocaine of the 80's, it was being pushed by a crack dealer. These pill mills are being pushed by clinicians," Truesdell said.
Truesdell said arresting the clinic's last remaining doctor was a "paralyzing" blow. However, the clinic could resume business once another doctor is hired.
"We arrested this doctor today, and they could essentially get another doctor who could do the same thing," Truesdell said.
Truesdell said Georgia could benefit from stricter rules and guidelines governing pain clinics. "Any person can own a pain clinic, whereas in some states you have to be a physician," he said.
Authorities made no other arrests at the clinic Tuesday.
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