A former St. Joseph’s/Candler nurse was arrested Monday for selling prescription pills following an undercover operation by the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team.
CNT arrested James Elliott Cooke, 54, of Savannah, said Gene Harley, CNT spokesman. Cooke was arrested on various felony charges to include sale of a controlled substance, Harley said.
Agents seized a large sum of various prescription medication, two firearms, and items of evidentiary value, more than $3,300 and a vehicle during a search of Cooke’s White Bluff Road residence.
CNT began its investigation into Cooke earlier this month following information Cooke was selling prescription pills. During a two week operation, undercover agents made several purchases of various forms of prescription medication from him. None of the purchases occurred on hospital property and St. Joseph’s/Candler Human Resources Department has assisted CNT throughout its investigation and continues to cooperate, Harley said.
Additional charges are expected to be filed, Harley said.
St. Joseph’s/Candler spokesman Scott Larson said Cooke is no longer employed at the hospital but declined to comment further as the investigation is ongoing.