A doctor in New York involved in a prescription drug dealing investigation was found dead earlier this month in an apparent overdose, ABC News reported.
Officials announced on Friday that Dr. Tomasito Virey, 59, was discovered dead in a relative's home in Amherst, New York on Feb. 4 -- the day state and federal authorities were set to shut down the entire drug operation.
Capt. Enzio Villalta of the Amherst Police Department told the Associated Press they were waiting on toxicology reports to determine if his death was a suicide or accidental. He also said prescription drugs were found in the home.
Virey died as investigators were digging into a possible prescription pill ring, including the distribution of 5 million oxycodone pills with a street value of at least $170 million, leading to charges piled against charges against Virey's former boss, another doctor, and around 20 alleged drug traffickers.
On Feb. 5, authorities in New York City released a statement on the shutdown of Astramed Physicians in the Bronx but did not disclose of Virey's death.
Law enforcement officials said Virey was in contact with them before his death but had not been charged or arrested yet. They did not say if he was cooperative in the investigation, implying he may have known that the investigation was pointing to him.
Virey, of Manhasset, came to light in 2012 after a news report claimed he wrote 3,208 prescriptions for oxycodone, a highly addictive painkiller, in 2011 -- more than any other doctor in the state.
In an interview with the television station, he claimed he legitimately prescribed the medication for patients that truly needed the it and added that he referred any patient that may seem addicted to rehab.
