North Carolina

North Carolina doctor arrested in 'pill mill' scheme

FILE - This Aug. 15, 2017 file photo shows an arrangement of pills of the opioid oxycodone-acetaminophen in New York. Congressional investigators say wholesale pharmaceutical distributors shipped hundreds of millions of prescription opioid pills to West Virginia, a state disproportionately ravaged by deaths caused by the addictive drugs. Now, lawmakers want executives of those companies to explain how that happened. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)

TABOR CITY, N.C. — Authorities have accused a North Carolina doctor of illegally distributing drugs in what is being described as a "pill mill" scheme.

Columbus County District Attorney Jon David told news outlets Dr. Jong Whan Kim prescribed numerous opioids and other drugs without a legitimate medical reason.

Sheriff Lewis Hatcher said an investigation also revealed Kim schemed with his office manager and girlfriend, Tammy Lynn Thompson, to distribute the drugs from Kim's practice in Tabor City and other properties he owned.

Hatcher said Thompson sold high-grade marijuana, oxycodone, hydrocodone and other illegal substances to undercover agents on numerous occasions.

Kim is in the Columbus County jail under a $5,580,000 bond. Thompson is jailed on a $760,000 bond. It's not known if either has an attorney.

Associated Press

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