A Doctor who operated a medical clinic in San Fernando was found guilty on May 6, 2009, of federal narcotics charges for writing prescriptions for the addictive and extremly powerful painkiller oxycodone for people he did not examine in exchange for as much as $300.

Masoud Bamdad, 55, of Granada Hills, was convicted of 13 felony counts for writing prescriptions for oxycodone outside of the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose.

As part of the investigation into Bamdad, DEA agents conducted undercover operations in which they posed as people seeking drugs. In encounters captured on undercover videotape that was shown to the jury, Bamdad wrote prescriptions after brief visits, calling one undercover agent a drug addict and receiving cash payments that he simply put into his pocket. During the undercover meetings, Bamdad either did not examine or made only cursory examinations of the undercover agents, nor did he take thorough medical histories from them.

“Doctors have a important responsibility to ensure that their patients receive the best medical treatment,” said United States Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien. “Dr. Bamdad scorned this basic principal by writing prescriptions to people who clearly were addicted to powerful narcotics or who were simply seeking a way to get high.”

Codeine is the most widely used, naturally occurring narcotic in medical treatment in the world. This alkaloid is found in opium in concentrations as much as 2.5 percent. However, most codeine used in the United States is produced from morphine. Codeine is also the starting material for the production of two other narcotics, dihydrocodeine and hydrocodone.

For use in suppressing coughs, codeine is found in a number of liquid preparations. Codeine is also used to a lesser extent as an injectable solution for treating pain. Codeine products are diverted from legitimate sources and are encountered on the illicit market.

Codeine is prescribed for the relief of pain as well as cough suppression. Compared to morphine, codeine produces less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression, and is usually taken orally. It is made into tablets either alone (Schedule II) or in combination with aspirin or acetaminophen (i.e., Tylenol with Codeine, Schedule III).

Spike TV returns to the streets of the billion dollar illegal narcotics trade, this time in New Jersey, to offer viewers a glimpse into the inner workings of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

“This season of ‘DEA’ was shot in our own back yard and is packed with action,” said executive producer Al Roker.  “We show viewers a side of drug enforcement and the life of DEA Special Agents that they won’t see anywhere else but on Spike.  Don’t miss Tuesdays at 10 PM.”     
 
This season, Spike was given exclusive access to follow a group of DEA Special Agents and Task Force Officers in DEA’s northern New Jersey headquarters, based in Newark, as they risk their lives daily in the ongoing battle against illegal drugs. 
 
Viewers will witness first-hand what it is like for DEA Special Agents to go out on undercover missions.  Spike is there when DEA Special Agents bust down doors and execute drug raids that put their lives directly in the line of fire.  “DEA” also takes a look at the complex relationship that agents have with informants, revealing the strange kinship they share with these criminals who see themselves not as arch enemies, but rather as opponents in the “game” of the illegal drug trade.
 
“If you liked the first season of ‘DEA,’ you’ll love the second,” said special agent in charge, Mary Irene Cooper, DEA’s Chief of Congressional and Public Affairs.  “Season II delivers more episodes, more action, more dope and more money than viewers have ever seen before. You’ll have a front row seat to DEA’s hard-charging, relentless special agents risking their lives for the mission.  They’ll captivate you with their gritty determination and leave you wanting more.”