Opioid diversion cases

588 documented cases, 1983–2026.

Figures are derived from the 931 case records collected on this site, not from any official total. A record counts here when its Drug field names a opioid (buprenorphine, codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, sufentanil, tramadol).

Monetary penalties stated

Median: $27,250
Smallest $400 · largest $4,500,000

Median of 84 amounts in US dollars (civil settlements and penalties, criminal fines, restitution, forfeiture) stated in 74 of 588 records. 514 records state no dollar amount.

Custodial sentences stated

Shortest: 1 month
Longest: 468 months (39 years)

133 prison or jail terms stated in 130 of 588 records. Probation, supervised release, home confinement and suspended terms are not counted.

Roles named in the records

Nurse (role unspecified)215
Pharmacist75
Pharmacy technician72
Physician / surgeon68
Not stated in the record or its title67
Registered nurse (RN)41
Licensed practical / vocational nurse11
Nurse anesthetist (CRNA)10
Nurse practitioner / APRN8
Paramedic / EMT8
Dentist / oral surgery4
Nurse aide / assistant3
Surgical / OR technician3
Veterinarian3

From the Role field (105) or, where the record has none, the case title (416).

States with the most records

Massachusetts26
New York24
Maryland21
Illinois19
Florida18
Iowa18
Michigan17
Connecticut16

52 states and territories in all; every state.

Settings involved

Other / not classified235
Hospital / health system199
Retail pharmacy100
Long-term care19
Ambulatory surgery / OR9
Dental / oral surgery6
Emergency services / EMS5
Home health / hospice5
Fertility / reproductive2
No setting stated8

Drugs named

oxycodone248
fentanyl181
hydrocodone157
hydromorphone124
morphine87
alprazolam31
methadone23
tramadol23
codeine16
amphetamine14
meperidine14
lorazepam11
midazolam9
propofol5
ketamine4
buprenorphine2
methylphenidate2
sufentanil2
phenobarbital1
testosterone1

A record naming two drugs counts under both.

Other drugs and classes

Cases

Newest first · page 5 of 24, 101–125 of 588

  1. Cardiac Catheterization Lab Nurse Sentenced for Tampering With Fentanyl at Miami Hospital 2025-03-18 · Miami, Florida · Hospital / health system
  2. Registered nurse admitted obtaining and consuming oxycodone without a prescription and had controlled-substance administration and documentation errors involving two patients; voluntarily surrendered license 2025-03 · Other / not classified
  3. Nursing home nurse accused of stealing Tramadol and oxycodone/acetaminophen from residents 2025-03 · Myrtle Beach, SC · Other / not classified
  4. ICU Nurse Arrested for Stealing 17 Fentanyl IV Bags at Brandon Hospital 2025-02-24 · Brandon, Florida · Hospital / health system
  5. Birmingham-area nursing home nurse diverted hydrocodone tablets; pleaded guilty to theft 2025-02 · Birmingham, AL · Long-term care
  6. Trenton Pharmacy Owner Convicted of Diverting Millions of Oxycodone Pills 2025-01-22 · Trenton, New Jersey · Retail pharmacy
  7. Registered nurse alleged to have diverted IV Dilaudid from a worksite an automated dispensing cabinet by logging it out and pocketing it 2025-01 · Other / not classified
  8. West Virginia Physician Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · West Virginia · Other / not classified
  9. West Virginia Nurse Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · West Virginia · Hospital / health system
  10. Virginia Physician Sentenced in Controlled Substance Diversion Case (2025, case 2) 2025 · Virginia · Other / not classified
  11. Virginia Physician Sentenced in Controlled Substance Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Virginia · Other / not classified
  12. Virginia Nurse Convicted in Controlled Substance Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Virginia · Hospital / health system
  13. Ohio Pharmacy Technician Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Ohio · Hospital / health system
  14. Ohio Pharmacist Sentenced in Controlled Substance Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Ohio · Other / not classified
  15. New York Pharmacist Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025, case 2) 2025 · New York · Other / not classified
  16. New York Pharmacist Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · New York · Other / not classified
  17. New Hampshire Nurse Charged in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · New Hampshire · Other / not classified
  18. Nebraska Nurse Charged in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Nebraska · Other / not classified
  19. Michigan Physician Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Michigan · Other / not classified
  20. Michigan Nurse Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Michigan · Other / not classified
  21. Maine Physician Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Maine · Other / not classified
  22. Maryland Prescriber Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Maryland · Dental / oral surgery
  23. Kentucky Pharmacist Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Kentucky · Other / not classified
  24. Indiana Pharmacist Charged in Controlled Substance Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Indiana · Hospital / health system
  25. Indiana Nurse Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2025) 2025 · Indiana · Other / not classified

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Disclaimer

Case summaries are based on public records (DOJ press releases, court documents, licensing-board orders, news reports). Charges are allegations unless a conviction is noted. Analysis is educational, not legal advice.

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