ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Fred J. Federici has announced that Albuquerque Health Services (AHS) has agreed to a $240,000 settlement relating to civil claims brought by the Department of Justice on behalf of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

               AHS operates medication assisted treatment facilities that dispense controlled substances to consumers. Each AHS clinic is separately registered with the DEA and authorized to dispense controlled substances pursuant to the provisions of the Controlled Substances

Act (CSA).

            At issue in the civil claim was the registration of one of AHS’s clinics in Albuquerque, which expired June 30, 2019, and was not reinstated until August 12, 2019. The government contended that the clinic nonetheless continued to dispense methadone, a schedule II controlled substance, to patients during the period the DEA registration had lapsed.

            By the terms of the settlement, AHS agrees to pay $240,000 and the government releases AHS from any civil or administrative monetary claim the United States has for the covered conduct under the CSA. AHS admits no liability or wrongdoing.

            “We are pleased to reach agreement that reinforces the need for compliance with the terms of the Controlled Substances Act,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Federici. “When the United States grants any entity authorization by law we have an obligation to ensure that the responsibilities and requirements on which that authority is contingent are fulfilled and that the limits of that authority are not exceeded.”

             “The rules and regulations set forth in the Controlled Substance Act are in place for a reason,” said Kyle W. Williamson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “The latest CDC overdose death statistics are a grim reminder that registrants must do their part to keep our communities safe and healthy. Through our oversight responsibilities, DEA will ensure that registrants comply with the law.”

             Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth F. Keegan represented the United States in the settlement agreement.