Pharmacist, 2nd man face drug charges

W. Zachary Malinowski

PROVIDENCE — Two elderly men, including a co-owner and pharmacist of Prime Drug, were charged yesterday with multiple federal drug counts for illegally distributing painkillers and HIV-AIDS medication from the pharmacy in the city’s West End.

Carmine De Tomasis, 73, of Summit Drive, Cranston, and Louis Romanelli, 81, of Victoria Street, appeared in U.S. District Court yesterday in khaki prison-issued clothing and denim overcoats. They were each charged with distribution of controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to commit health-care fraud and distributing misbranded drugs.

If convicted of the charges, they face up to 30 years in prison.

On Monday night, federal and state officials raided the drug store at 613 Cranston St., and De Tomasis’ home in Cranston. De Tomasis is a licensed pharmacist and co-owner of Prime Drug. The team of law enforcement officials arrested De Tomasis and Romanelli and they were held at the Donald W. Wyatt Federal Detention Center in Central Falls.

Yesterday, the state Department of Health shut down the pharmacy and suspended De Tomasis’ pharmacy license.

Dr. David R. Gifford, the state health director, said pharmacy customers should not take any prescription drugs they have from the pharmacy, even if they look safe.

The state Department of Health has posted information, in English and Spanish, for patients at the pharmacy’s location at www.health.ri.gov. There are also information line staff available to answer additional questions, in English and Spanish, at 1-800-942-7434 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Most of the details of the alleged drug conspiracy remain under court seal, but some key elements of the investigation surfaced yesterday in federal court.

Adi Goldstein, an assistant U.S. Attorney, said that an undercover agent from the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation, met with Romanelli on multiple occasions to buy and sell oxycodone, hydrocodone and expensive HIV-AIDS drugs. The undercover agent allegedly sold one batch of the HIV-AIDS drugs to Romanelli for $16,000, who in turn peddled the drugs to De Tomasis.

Goldstein said that at least five of the meetings were recorded on video or audiotape. She alleged that the illegal transactions started in March 2007 and continued through Monday, when they were arrested in the raid.

In seeking to have Romanelli held without bail, Goldstein pointed out that the state police had arrested him last fall on drug charges. Court records show that he was arrested on Nov. 15 and charged with manufacturing, delivery and possession with intent to distribute several different types of prescription drugs. He also was charged with possession of marijuana.

He is awaiting trial on those charges.

Goldstein argued that Romanelli had continued his criminal ways following his arrest.

“The defendant is acting as a drug dealer,” she said. “His actions show a disregard” for the law.

Romanelli’s lawyer, Joseph Voccola, countered that his client had strong ties to the community and should be released on bail. He also noted that Romanelli suffers from high blood pressure and has high cholesterol. During the hour-long hearing, Romanelli appeared chilled and clutched the collar of his coat against his chest.

Magistrate Judge David Martin said that he was troubled that Romanelli had been arrested for the second time in less than six months on drug-related charges. And, he said, the case against him appears strong. But, after some thought, Martin decided to place Romanelli on home confinement with an electronic monitoring bracelet attached to his ankle. He restricted his travel to meetings with his lawyer, doctors and clergy.

Goldstein was not satisfied. She said that several people involved in the alleged drug conspiracy regularly stopped by Romanelli’s home, where drugs were allegedly distributed.

Martin decided to bar all visitors except for Romanelli’s wife and grown children.

Bail for De Tomasis was set at $150,000 with surety, meaning that he must post $15,000 in cash or property of equal value.

bmalinow@projo.com