74-year-old former Wellington dentist charged with hydrocodone trafficking

WELLINGTON, Fla. - WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A 74-year-old former dentist was arrested after authorities say he obtained hydrocodone from pharmacies by signing his name on his own prescription forms.

Stanley Cohen, of Wellington, was arrested Monday on seven counts of trafficking in hydrocodone, seven counts of attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud, and seven counts of practicing medicine without a license, according to a statement released this morning by the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office.

Cohen was released from Palm Beach County Jail early this morning on a surety bond.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Multi-Agency Diversion Task Force worked with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in finding that from November 2010 through February 2011, Cohen was writing prescriptions in his wife's name for the drug and was signing his name, even though he was no longer licensed to practice medicine.

Cohen voluntarily surrendered his dentistry license in September 2009, while being investigated by the Florida Department of Health. His DEA registration expired in August 2010.