Drug diversion cases in California
36 documented cases, 2011–2026.
Figures are derived from the 1081 case records collected on this site, not from official state totals.
Monetary penalties stated
Median: $250,000
Smallest $105,000 · largest $1,000,000
Median of 5 amounts in US dollars (civil settlements and penalties, criminal fines, restitution, forfeiture) stated in 4 of 36 records. 32 records state no dollar amount.
Custodial sentences stated
Shortest: 24 months (2 years)
Longest: 216 months (18 years)
5 prison or jail terms stated in 5 of 36 records. Probation, supervised release, home confinement and suspended terms are not counted.
Drug classes involved
| Drug class | Records |
|---|---|
| Opioids | 25 |
| Other controlled substance | 7 |
| Benzodiazepines | 5 |
| Stimulants | 4 |
| Anesthetics / sedatives | 3 |
| Anabolic steroids | 1 |
A record naming drugs from two classes counts in both.
Roles named in the records
| Role | Records |
|---|---|
| Prescribers | 16 |
| Not stated in the record or its title | 9 |
| Pharmacists | 5 |
| Pharmacy technicians | 4 |
| Nurses | 2 |
From the Role field (9) or, where the record has none, the case title (18).
Settings involved
| Setting | Records |
|---|---|
| Other / not classified | 18 |
| Retail pharmacy | 10 |
| Hospital / health system | 6 |
| No setting stated | 2 |
Licensing boards in California
- California State Board of Pharmacy (pharmacy)
- California Board of Registered Nursing (nursing)
Official board sites. Links checked 2026-11-09; whether each publishes its disciplinary actions is on the board directory.
Cases
Newest first · page 2 of 2, 26–36 of 36
- Fontana pharmacy technician's registration revoked over diversion of 117 tramadol tablets 2021-04-26 · Hospital / health system
- California Physician Sentenced in Opioid Diversion Case (2019) 2019 · California · Other / not classified
- UC San Diego anesthesiologist's license revoked after alleged sedative diversion and saline substitution 2018-04 · Hospital / health system
- San Diego Doctor Charged in Hydrocodone Pill Mill Case 2018-03-12 · San Diego, California · Other / not classified
- 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
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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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