18 Alleged Drug Dealers Arrested as Part of Operation Oxy Highway

By Elle O.

Following a report from a vigilant pharmacist, an investigation began on the doctor that was handing out painkiller prescriptions as if they were candy.

Dr. Craig Gialanella, 53, of North Caldwell, New Jersey, allegedly wrote out over 400 prescriptions over the entirety of 2016. The prescriptions were written out for 30 different names, totally around 50,000 tablets in 30 milligram doses. He would prescribe either oxycodone or alprazolam, or as it is better known by its brand name, Xanax. In an attempt to cover up his illegal doings, Gialanella would often write the prescription for the same name with various or no birth dates.

Defendant, Douglas Patterson, 53, was one of his alleged patients, he introduced his ex-wife Mary Connolly, 54, to Dr. Gialanella. Connolly from there, recruited three of her children, Lauren Connolly, 28, Robert Connolly, 31, and Michael Connolly, 33, into the drug ring. There were also 12 others who were part of the “pill mill”, some posing as patients, obtaining the prescriptions, others selling them on the street.

On the street, the oxycodone pills, also known as “Blues”, could be sold between $18 to $25 each. The Xanax pills, or “Zannies” were sold at about five dollars a pop. These prices would value the entire operation in around $6-7 million.

“Doctors who act like drug dealers and illegally dole out prescriptions for these highly addictive painkillers are nothing more than drug pushers in white coats. And they are even more dangerous than a street dealer, because we trust that our doctors will protect our health and not hurt or kill us,” said Attorney General Porrino, condemning the actions of Dr. Craig Gialanella. “Rather than preserving health and protecting life, this doctor allegedly profited by prescribing addiction and death in one of the counties hardest hit by the epidemic of opiate addictions in New Jersey.”

If convicted of the Second-Degree charge, the defendants could receive a sentence of five to ten years in prison and fines up to $150,000. The Third-Degree charge could come with a three to five year sentence, and a fine up to $15,000.

All persons are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Name Age Town of Residence Crime
Dr. Craig Gialanella 53 North Caldwell, New Jersey 2nd Degree Distribution of Narcotics

Douglas Patterson 53 Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Mary Connolly 54 Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Lauren Connolly 28 Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Robert Connolly 31 Galloway, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Michael Connolly Jr. 33 Galloway, New Jersey 3rd Degree Obtaining Narcotics by Fraud

Danielle Grainger 33 Linwood, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

William Warren 51 Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Francis Clemson 53 Ocean View, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Ashton Funk 35 Northfield, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Theodore Gogol 37 Margate, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Beatriz Oquendo 34 Pleasantville, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Amanda Blomdahl 37 Somers Point, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Kevin Reid 47 Ventnor, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

David Blocker 49 Galloway, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Joseph Green 39 Atlantic City, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Christopher Perez 34 Mays Landing, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

John Hager 39 Deptford, New Jersey 2nd or 3rd Degree Distribution of Narcotics or Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics

Tags: Essex County, Atlantic County
Photo: Courtesy of New Jersey Attorney General