Pharmacist Stole Morphine by Swapping Saline

A former pharmacist at a New Jersey hospital has been arrested for allegedly stealing morphine from vials and replacing the intravenous solution with saline.

Frederick P. McLeish is accused of drug tampering, theft by unlawful taking, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance for this behavior allegedly conducted at Shore Medical Center in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Shore News Today reported.

The Atlantic County grand jury indictments pinpointed McLeish’s criminal acts as occurring between July and September 2014.

First, an internal inquiry was raised by the hospital. Then, the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety’s Division of Consumer Affairs investigated. Finally, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office took over the criminal investigation, according to Shore News Today.

The pharmacist was suspended in September 2014 and later fired. He also surrendered his state pharmacy license in December 2014.

McLeish was processed by detectives on January 21, 2016, and taken to a county jail. If convicted, the Egg Harbor Township man could potentially face up to 10 years in prison, The Associated Press reported.