Doctor charged with illegally distributing drugs

    A Jersey Shore doctor has been arrested and his practice shut down after authorities say he distributed powerful prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.

    Dr. Liviu T. Holca of Manahawkin was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree distribution of Percocet, a schedule II narcotic, and third-degree distribution of Xanax, a schedule IV narcotic, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s office.

    The fifty-five-year-old Holca was also charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, unlawful possession of a firearm and money laundering.

    He is being held in Ocean County Jail and has surrendered his license to prescribe controlled substances.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    A call to Dr. Holca’s office was not immediately returned.

    Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato has made battling prescription drug and heroin abuse a top priority.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal