SOUTH WHITLEY – Investigators and special agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Merrillville Resident Office and Fort Wayne Post of Duty, in cooperation with the Whitley County Prosecutor’s Office, the Whitley?County Drug Task Force, the Indiana State Police and Indiana Attorney?General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, executed search warrants at the residence and medical office of Dr. James F. Hanus. Hanus is the sole owner and operator of his business, Dr. James Hanus Medical Clinic, P.C. Hanus has been practicing medicine since 1976. His office at 101 E. Columbia St., and home, 4851 S Ind. 5, are both in South Whitley. The execution of the search warrants followed a nearly two-year investigation by federal and state law enforcement agencies. Following the search, Hanus voluntarily surrendered his DEA registration to federal agents, rendering him unable to prescribe or possess controlled substances. The Indiana Attorney?General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigates violations of state health care law, including Medicaid provider fraud and misuse of Medicaid recipients’ funds. The DEA is charged with the investigation and enforcement of the provisions of the controlled substances act as they pertain to the manufacture, distribution and dispensing of legally produced controlled substances. This remains an ongoing investigation and anyone with information relative to the investigation should call either DEA-Merrillville at 219-644-3127, or the Whitley?County Drug Task Force at 260-244-6401.
