An internal investigation found she used her key card to access an area outside of her schedule, prosecutors say.
A Queens woman has been indicted on charges she stole thousands of oxycodone pills from her former employer, Amneal Pharmaceuticals in Brookhaven, Suffolk prosecutors say.
Usharani Alexander, 63, of Bellerose allegedly stole thousands of oxycodone pills while she worked as an operator in the packaging department of Amneal in 2022, prosecutors said, adding, that the company discovered the theft when an audit uncovered a discrepancy between the number of oxycodone pills that were manufactured, and the number of pills that were actually packaged for distribution.
An internal investigation, including a review of video surveillance, identified Alexander as the person responsible for the theft, prosecutors said.
She used her key card to gain access to the packaging area at a time when she was not scheduled to be there, according to prosecutors.
DA Ray Tierney said Alexander abused her position as an employee by stealing and illegally distributing oxycodone pills, “which are highly addictive, if not used properly.”
“We continue to see the tragic effects of opioid addiction and its damaging effects on our communities,” he said. “This alleged theft and illegal distribution of more than 200,000 thousand oxycodone pills will not be tolerated.”
Her attorney, Steven Gaitman of Hempstead, said told Patch that she has never been arrested before.
“She is a family woman with strong ties to the community and she looks forward to her day in court,” he said.
Alexander has been charged with four counts of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and grand larceny, all felonies.
She faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the top charge of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Alexander was released under the supervision of GPS monitor because the crimes are not bail-eligible under state law, Tierney’s office said. She is due back in court on Jan. 30.
Tags: Arrests Drug Theft Oxycodone
