Basil Samir Itani, a 47-year-old pharmacist from Titusville, has been sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison for the illegal distribution and dispensing of controlled substances, specifically oxycodone and methadone.

U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. handed down the sentence, which also includes a $50,000 fine. Itani had entered a guilty plea on September 27, 2023.

Court documents reveal that between January 5 and May 24, 2023, Itani sold various controlled substances to a confidential source on nine separate occasions.. These transactions took place after hours at Itani’s pharmacy, with the drugs being sold for cash and without a prescription.

Itani, the owner of Itani Family Pharmacy in Titusville, was apprehended in June after a federal investigation uncovered his involvement in the trafficking of large quantities of controlled substances.

Prominent Titusville Pharmacist Arrested by DEA

According to the Department of Justice, the substances included over 3,500 oxycodone pills, more than 1,300 methadone pills, nearly 400 alprazolam pills, 200 units of morphine, and a small quantity of methylphenidate. In total, investigators say Itani received thousands of dollars in cash for these illegal sales.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Itani admitted to the distribution charges. Following his prison term, he is set to undergo two years of supervised release, underscoring the serious nature of his offenses.

Federal authorities emphasized the significance of the case, highlighting the impact of such illegal activities on public health and safety.

The case against Itani underscores the ongoing efforts to combat the illegal distribution of prescription drugs, a rampant issue that continues to challenge communities across the nation.

The investigation into Itani’s activities was a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Titusville Police Department, and the Opioid Fraud Abuse and Detection Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office, which is specialized unit focuses on opioid-related fraud and abuse, particularly by medical and health care professionals who have contributed to the prescription opioid epidemic.