Jury finds pharmacist guilty of involvement in drug ring

BRUNSWICK - A 58-year-old McIntosh County pharmacist has been convicted of illegally distributing prescription painkillers in a drug gang that federal prosecutors said extended from Brunswick to Savannah. <br> <br> James Shaw Larson of Townsend was found guilty yesterday of distributing 2,500 tablets of hydrocodone bitartrate APAP, commonly known by the brand names Vicodin and Lorcet in McIntosh and Liberty counties. <br> <br> Larson also was found guilty of distributing 100 Dilaudid tablets in the two counties. <br> <br> A federal jury in Brunswick deliberated about two hours before convicting Larson of three counts of illegal distribution of a controlled substance. <br> <br> Senior U.S. District Judge Anthony Alaimo ordered Larson jailed without bail. No sentencing date has been set. <br> <br> Under federal law, each of the two hydrocodone counts is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The Dilaudid count carries a maximum of a 20-year prison term and one million dollar fine. <br> <br> Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Newman, in his closing statement, told jurors that Larson was the mastermind of a distribution network based at his home and pharmacy, Harbor Drugs in Eulonia.