By Jacob Nakamura
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency raided Wise Owl veterinary clinic this week on a federal inspection warrant allowing the DEA to review Dr. Joel Joseph and Dr. Genevieve Weaver's "records, files and papers, processes, controls and facilities appropriate for the verification of [Controlled Substances Act] compliance, such as written and electronic correspondence regarding maintenance of dispensing records, communications related to Joseph and Weaver's compliance with CSA, and written policies, procedures and training regarding maintenance of records."
This is according to federal court documents filed under seal in the U.S. District Court of Guam, then unsealed following the inspection raid by the DEA.
"I believe that the reviewing and copying of these records will allow the DEA to verify whether controlled substances were purchased, dispensed, or sold for appropriate and legitimate purposes," DEA Diversion Investigator Alex Nikoloudakis wrote in his affidavit for the warrant.
The affidavit, which was sworn to the Court on May 25 by Nikoloudakis, stated that files and reports submitted to the DEA show probable cause that a "valid public interest exists in the effective enforcement of" the Controlled Substances Act as it pertains to the veterinary clinic. The affidavit cites a 2013 inspection of the former Wise Owl clinic premises by the Guam Controlled Substances Program and the "Letter of Admonition to Joseph for not being registered to import controlled substances from another country." Other citations of DEA reports include files of shipments of controlled substances since 2014.
"I believe the requested administrative warrant for inspection is necessary to ensure that both Joseph and Weaver are compliant with DEA regulations," Mr. Nikoloudakis wrote in his affidavit. Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood approved the warrant May 25, and the DEA conducted its first inspection that same day. The inspection also occurred on May 27.
The return of warrant document, filed Friday, May 28, indicates DEA agents made copies of invoices and dispensing logs, a January 1, 2020 "on hand inventory," a list of employees, and patient file prescriptions for animals belonging to Jean Santos, Terumi Wilson, and Yumiko Blaisus.
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