Highlights:
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Former nurse admitted to fraud exceeding $55,000 linked to opioids
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Dozens of unauthorized opioids orders placed using forged signatures
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Thousands of opioid vials, including sufentanil and hydromorphone, were obtained
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Accused said addiction stemmed from health issues
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Sentencing scheduled for June
A former Canadian nursing assistant has pleaded guilty to fraud and drug possession after admitting she illegally obtained large quantities of opioids by exploiting her position at a Montreal clinic. Lovedip Sandhu, a 35-year-old Canadian citizen from Pierrefonds, entered her guilty plea in mid-January to charges of fraud exceeding $5,000 and simple possession of narcotics.
The charges are connected to incidents that occurred during her employment in 2021 at a private plastic surgery facility in Montreal. According to reporting by French-language newspaper La Presse, Sandhu carried out a series of fraudulent transactions to acquire controlled opioids medications without authorization.
How Opioids Were Illegally Ordered Through Forged Documentation
Sandhu worked as a nursing assistant at Clinique K, a plastic surgery clinic located in Westmount. Her responsibilities included preparing patients for surgical procedures, coordinating medication supply orders, and communicating with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of the clinic. Prosecutors stated she used her professional access to conduct fraudulent opioids orders over several months.
Between March and September 2021, Sandhu allegedly conducted 75 fraudulent transactions without the clinic’s knowledge or authorization. Court records showed she forged the signature of the clinic’s owner, Dr. Karl Schwarz, to place orders for opioids medications. She later collected the drugs from different pharmacies and paid for them using the clinic’s credit cards.
Authorities said this scheme allowed her to obtain significant quantities of controlled opioids substances. Investigators reported she acquired 3,778 one-milliliter vials of sufentanil and 2,138 one-milliliter vials of hydromorphone. Both medications are highly regulated opioids commonly used in healthcare settings for severe pain management, particularly during surgical procedures and post-operative care.
Opioids Addiction Cited as Motivation Behind the Fraud
At the time of the offenses, Sandhu was a registered member of the Quebec Order of Nurses and Nursing Assistants. However, she is no longer affiliated with the organization. She was expelled from the professional body in 2022 following the investigation into her conduct involving opioids misuse.
After her arrest in September 2021, Sandhu told police she developed an opioids addiction earlier that year due to ongoing health problems. According to investigators, she initially began taking medication from the clinic’s existing opioids supply. Her dependency later escalated, leading her to place unauthorized opioids orders through fraudulent means.
Evidence Found During Police Investigation Into Opioids Possession
Police carried out searches at Sandhu’s residences as part of the investigation into the illegal opioids scheme. Officers discovered empty syringes, medication vials, several boxes of drugs, and approximately $11,000 in cash. Authorities presented these findings as evidence supporting charges related to opioids possession and fraud.
The volume of opioids recovered during the investigation raised concerns among regulators and healthcare authorities regarding the monitoring of controlled substances in clinical environments. The case has highlighted vulnerabilities in internal controls that allow healthcare professionals access to prescription opioids.
Oversight and Healthcare Risks Related to Opioids Access
The case has drawn attention to broader issues involving opioids oversight in healthcare settings and the risks associated with easy access to controlled substances. It has also raised discussion about addiction challenges among healthcare workers who regularly handle opioids medications.
While Sandhu has accepted responsibility through her guilty plea, the court has not yet finalized her punishment. Legal proceedings will examine factors such as the scale of opioids fraud, the financial loss suffered by the clinic, and any mitigating circumstances linked to her addiction and health issues.
Sentencing Decision Pending in Opioids Fraud Case
Sentencing submissions have been postponed until June. During the hearing, the court is expected to consider the severity of the offenses, including the financial damage and the quantity of opioids obtained through fraudulent actions.
The outcome of the case may influence how healthcare institutions strengthen internal monitoring of opioids orders and implement safeguards to prevent misuse by staff. The case also underscores ongoing challenges related to opioids addiction, prescription control, and professional accountability within medical settings.
