SUMMIT TWP., MI – A Summit Township dentist accused of writing prescriptions for narcotics for people who were not patients was a “significant supplier of narcotics,” police said.

About 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, Jackson Narcotic Enforcement Team members and Jackson County sheriff’s deputies searched the 59-year-old dentist’s office in the 2000 block of Spring Arbor Road and his house on Hazelwood Boulevard.

Sheriff Steven Rand said the dentist has been under investigation for about two months. Police believe they’ve taken down a major narcotics supplier.

“There are a lot of prescription drugs on the street, and we were able to track back some of the people’s prescriptions to the dentist. Some of the people were not in his care,” Rand said. “We believe he has been a significant supplier of narcotics in this area.”

Rand said prescription drugs, such as Vicodin, are often a gateway drug into heroin.

The dentist’s name is being withheld, pending arraignment.

During the search, computers, paperwork and documents were taken for evidence, Rand said.

Assisting with the investigation was the Drug Enforcement Administration, which has a unit to assist with cases involving doctors, Rand said.