Drug diversion cases in California
18 documented cases, 2011–2025.
Figures are derived from the 730 case records collected on this site, not from official state totals.
Custodial sentences stated
None of the 18 records states a prison or jail term.
Monetary penalties stated
Smallest: $105,000
Largest: $1,000,000
5 amounts in US dollars (civil settlements and penalties, criminal fines, restitution, forfeiture) in 4 of 18 records.
Drug classes involved
| Drug class | Records |
|---|---|
| Opioids | 12 |
| Other controlled substance | 3 |
| Anesthetics / sedatives | 2 |
| Benzodiazepines | 2 |
| Stimulants | 2 |
A record naming drugs from two classes counts in both.
Settings involved
| Setting | Records |
|---|---|
| Retail pharmacy | 6 |
| Hospital / health system | 5 |
| Other / not classified | 5 |
| No setting stated | 2 |
Cases
Newest first
- California pharmacist applicant filled hydrocodone prescription issued without a prescriber-patient relationship 2025-10-15 · Retail pharmacy
- UCSF pediatric anesthesiologist arrested after being found unconscious with a propofol syringe 2025-03-05 · Other / not classified
- California pharmacist sentenced to more than seven years for dispensing over 450,000 opioid pills on fraudulent prescriptions 2024-11-25 · Retail pharmacy
- Telehealth Firm Done Global Indicted in $100M Adderall Distribution Scheme 2024-06-13 · San Francisco, California · Other / not classified
- Palomar Health Pays $250,000 Over Fentanyl Diversion in Cath Lab 2024-06-03 · Escondido, California · Other / not classified
- Madera pharmacist pleaded guilty to dispensing over 200,000 opioid pills on forged prescriptions 2024-06 · Retail pharmacy
- Former Scripps Encinitas anesthesiologist placed on seven-year probation for taking and self-administering propofol and opioids 2024-03 · Hospital / health system
- Valley Center Veterinary Clinic Pays $125,000 Over Controlled-Substance Mishandling 2024-01-17 · Valley Center, California · Other / not classified
- San Diego Pharmacy Pays $105K for Ignoring Opioid Prescription Red Flags 2022-01-20 · San Diego, California · Retail pharmacy
- Fontana pharmacy technician's registration revoked over diversion of 117 tramadol tablets 2021-04-26 · Hospital / health system
- UC San Diego anesthesiologist's license revoked after alleged sedative diversion and saline substitution 2018-04 · Hospital / health system
- California respiratory care practitioner's license revoked after nursing board discipline for possessing controlled substances and false hospital records 2017-03-25
- California respiratory care practitioner surrendered license after being found with four fentanyl syringes not needed for work 2017-03-23
- Pharmacy technician diverted over 216,000 Norco tablets from a retail pharmacy while the pharmacist-in-charge failed to detect the theft 2015-08 · West Hills, CA · Retail pharmacy
- California hospital system agreed to $1.55 million civil penalty after hydrocodone losses at Stockton outpatient pharmacy 2015-04 · Hospital / health system
- California retail pharmacy technician accused of conspiring with physician to divert opioids; Board decision issued 2013-07-17 · Retail pharmacy
- Psychiatrist reprimanded for prescribing Ritalin to her spouse without medical justification 2011-12 · Ridgecrest, CA · Other / not classified
- California hospital lead pharmacy technician diverted over 6,000 controlled-substance tablets from dispensing system 2011-02-07 · Hospital / health system
← Back to all states and territories · Filter California cases in the case database · Check your own controls with the free assessment
Disclaimer
Case summaries are based on public records (DOJ press releases, court documents, news reports). Charges are allegations unless a conviction is noted. Analysis is educational, not legal advice.
Would your controls have caught these?
The free self-assessment scores your own controls: 7 sections, 45 weighted items, a score for each section, and a PDF you can take to your committee. No account or login.
Start the free assessment