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US Drops Drug Case: It Has ... Too Much Evidence?

Prosecutors: It's too costly to maintain files against doctor on the lam

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 16, 2012 12:42 PM CDT

(Newser) – After nine years of investigating, the US is dropping its case against a Panamanian doctor accused of making bogus sales of prescription drugs—in part because it has amassed too much evidence, the AP reports. The feds have collected two terabytes of electronic data and 440,000 documents on Armando Angulo, and they lack the space to store it all, they say. To do so would be "an economic and practical hardship."

In 2007, Angulo was indicted in the country's biggest case against Internet pharmacies; he allegedly authorized thousands of illicit prescriptions. Now he has fled to Panama, which won't extradite its own citizens. Even though the US knows where he is, he'd be so tough to catch—and officials say storing the evidence is so "difficult and expensive"—that a federal judge dropped the charge last week upon the request of prosecutors.

This undated photo provided by the Office of the Attorney General of Florida shows Dr. Armando Angulo.
This undated photo provided by the Office of the Attorney General of Florida shows Dr. Armando Angulo.   (AP Photo/Attorney General of Florida)
In this 2003 photo, investigators enter the Union Family Pharmacy in Dubuque, Iowa, which was closed after authorities found evidence that it had illegally dispensed drugs on the Internet.
In this 2003 photo, investigators enter the Union Family Pharmacy in Dubuque, Iowa, which was closed after authorities found evidence that it had illegally dispensed drugs on the Internet.   (AP Photo/Telegraph Herald, Dave Kettering)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 45 comments
right2dave
Aug 17, 2012 8:35 AM CDT
I suppose that stopping at some point to arrest him would. Would have made to much sense?
HANKHILL
Aug 17, 2012 8:16 AM CDT
just when you thought you----- oh i get it he workes at he white house and dines with bo! must be ok then!
Dale
Aug 17, 2012 6:56 AM CDT
Again Crime does pay.  He like John Corzine, must be politically connected. It would be interesting to know how much it costs to buy an acquittal, and who got paid. 
 

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