In May of 2018, the Greater Sudbury Police Service Financial Crimes Unit launched an investigation into an employee at a local pharmacy after concerns were brought forward by a co-worker.

Through the investigation it was determined that between May 2016 and May 2018, the employee fabricated and forged over 225 non-existent prescriptions by entering falsified data into the pharmacy’s computer management system, acquiring 3,410 Fentanyl patches of various strengths. She also falsified data for an additional 31 non-existent prescriptions in an attempt to obtain 475 more Fentanyl patches, however those transactions were not successful.

The total street value of the Fentanyl patches acquired over the two-year period is approximately $1,500,000.

In addition to the forged documents, the woman committed multiple counts of Identity Theft by issuing the falsified prescriptions under the names of local Physicians to various patients by using their personal information.

On December 3, 2019, a Detective from the Financial Crimes Unit arrested and charged 49-year old, Lise Blanchette with the following offences;

  • Fraud Over $5,000
  • Make Forged Documents
  • Utter Forged Documents
  • Personation with Intent to Obtain Property – Identity Theft x10
  • Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Schedule I Substance – Fentanyl

She was released on a Promise to Appear with a Court date of January 8, 2020.

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