SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine - A couple accused of operating a pharmacy and selling prescription drugs without a licence are scheduled to return to court on March 16 when the case will again be mentioned.

Registered nurse Erica Peart, 52, and her mechanic common-law husband Andy Johnson, 61, both of 41 Wildness Parkway, Old Harbour, were arrested and charged on January 12.

When they appeared in court on Tuesday, they had their $50,000 bail extended.

Senior Resident Magistrate Lorna Errar-Gayle ordered that their fingerprints be taken and their passports surrendered to the police.

They were arrested during a sting operation about 1:30 pm on January 12, when police swooped down on the illegal pharmacy after two undercover cops allegedly tendered doctors' prescriptions to Peart for drugs, which she filled.
During a search, the police seized hundreds of prescription and controlled drugs.

Peart and Johnson were arrested and slapped with charges under the Food and Drug Act and the Pharmaceutical Act . The pharmacy was being operated out of their house.

They were each given $50, 000 station bail with surety.
Detective sergeant Kirk Roach also told the court that in 1995 the pharmacy was de-registered and the licences revoked. He said the two operators were taken to court and fined $50,000. Since then no licence have been granted to them, but they have continued to operate illegally.

Since the arrest, the illegal pharmacy has been visited by the pharmaceutical and regulatory affairs department of the ministry of health, and by the pharmaceutical council which have which have confiscated.

Defence council Peter Champagnie is appearing for the accused couple.

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