ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents, this morning, arrested Dr. Ibem Borges, 53, and wife Wanda I. Otero, 54, of 17230 Cypress Preserve Pkwy., Orlando, Fla. Borges is charged with one count of manslaughter, three counts of trafficking oxycodone, racketeering, and conspiracy to commit racketeering. His wife, Wanda I. Otero is charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, and structuring transactions to evade the reporting requirement.
“These arrests should serve as a warning that we will not tolerate anyone illegally selling highly addictive controlled substances in Florida,” said Attorney General Bondi. “I want to thank my Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Osceola County Investigative Bureau for the great investigative work that led to today’s arrests.”
“Today’s arrest of Dr. Borges on charges including manslaughter, make it clear that shutting down illegal pill mills remains a priority in Florida,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. “I would like to express my appreciation to our law enforcement partners who continue to work together to combat this issue.”
“The Sheriff's Office in conjunction with other local, state and federal agencies is aggressively working to combat this epidemic. This arrest is the result of combined efforts to reduce the threat to the health, safety and welfare of our citizens,” stated Sheriff Bob Hansell.
DEA Special Agent in Charge A.D. Wright stated, “The harm caused by the diversion and illegal sale and distribution of these powerful and addictive pharmaceuticals continues to have a negative impact on the quality of life for citizens in central Florida. DEA will continue to work closely with our state and local counterparts to bring justice to any individuals involved in such criminal activities.”
FDLE agents along with the Osceola County Investigative Bureau and DEA Orlando District Office began investigating Borges after allegations that the family practices he owned, in Orange and Osceola counties, appeared to be operating as unlawful “pill mills.” Agents served search warrants in 2013 at doctor offices and a home owned by Burges.
During the investigation, patient records and undercover office visits revealed patients were routinely prescribed controlled substances, regardless of patient needs. Medical expert review revealed that prescribing practices were “concerning and at times even alarming.”
Investigators say Borges was responsible for the death of one of his patients after the patient overdosed on narcotics prescribed by him. The narcotics were prescribed without a legitimate medical purpose and dangerous to the health of the patient.
Borges and Otero were booked into the Orange County Jail. This case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
For further information contact:
Gretl Plessinger, Molly Best, Samantha Andrews or Steve Arthur
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001