Four Men Indicted in Major Opioid Distribution Conspiracy

News Summary

Four individuals, including two doctors, have been indicted for their roles in an opioid distribution conspiracy in Michigan, involving illegal prescriptions valued at over $7 million. The conspiracy was active from November 2023 to June 2025, leading to over $1 million in fraudulent billing for unnecessary medications. With increasing concerns over prescription drug abuse in Michigan, the case highlights ongoing efforts to combat opioid-related crime amidst a significant crisis.

Detroit, Michigan – Four men have been indicted in a significant opioid distribution conspiracy that allegedly involved illegal distribution of prescription medications valued at over $7 million. The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. on August 14, 2025, highlights serious charges against two physicians and two other individuals for their roles in the conspiracy.

The individuals charged in this case are identified as Dr. Shakeeb Chinoy, 55, from Bloomfield Hills; Dr. Sunil Manjila-Varghese, 53, of Ann Arbor; Rommel Harvey, 43, of Detroit; and Gregory Sparks, 42, also of Detroit. All four men are accused of conspiring to distribute prescription opioid medications to patients without any legitimate medical necessity.

The indictment states that the conspiracy was active from November 2023 to June 2025. During this period, Dr. Chinoy and Dr. Manjila-Varghese allegedly issued thousands of prescriptions for highly addictive opioid drugs, including Oxycodone, Percocet (oxycodone-acetaminophen), Norco (hydrocodone-acetaminophen), Oxymorphone, and Promethazine with Codeine. The total volume of prescription drugs involved is estimated to exceed 400,000 dosage units.

The operation reportedly resulted in fraudulent billing of Medicare and Medicaid for over $1 million in unnecessary medications. U.S. Attorney Gorgon labeled the actions of the accused medical professionals as a betrayal of their duty to care, equating their conduct to that of “drug dealers in white coats.”

Investigative actions leading to the indictment were carried out by the FBI along with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, illustrating a collective effort to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. This indictment was initially filed on August 6, 2025, but was only unsealed to the public on August 14, 2025.

During their first court appearances on August 14, Dr. Chinoy was temporarily detained, while Harvey, Sparks, and Dr. Manjila-Varghese were released on $10,000 unsecured bonds. All defendants have entered not guilty pleas to the charges against them. The prosecution of the case will be handled by assistant U.S. attorneys Andrew J. Lievense and Darrin Crawford.

This indictment highlights a broader issue facing the state of Michigan, where concerns regarding prescription drug abuse have surged in recent years. The Eastern District of Michigan is an integral part of a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at targeting opioid fraud and abuse. This ongoing project includes various cases involving healthcare professionals who have been found illegally distributing pain medications.

As the state grapples with the ramifications of opioid misuse, cases like this one draw attention to the lengths some individuals may go to exploit the healthcare system. Efforts to combat this trend continue, with law enforcement agencies enhancing their focus on curtailing illegal opioid distribution practices and holding accountable those who engage in such activities.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Detroit News
• Wikipedia: Opioid epidemic
• Free Press
• Google Search: Opioid crisis Michigan
• Click On Detroit
• Google Scholar: Opioid distributions law
• CBS News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Prescription drug abuse