Dr. James Hanus Medical Clinic is located at 101 East Columbia St, South Whitley.

SOUTH WHITLEY — Around 8 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, Oct. 3, Indiana State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration officers and members of the Whitley County Drug Task Force served search warrants at Dr. James Hanus’ Medical Clinic and Hanus’ residence.

An official press release from D.J. Sigler, Chief Deputy Prosecutor of Whitley County, reads:

“On Tuesday Oct. 4, 2016, Investigators and Special Agents from the DEA’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 the Indiana Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit executed search warrants at the residence and medical office of Dr. James F. Hanus.”

“The execution of the search warrants followed a nearly two-year investigation by both 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.”

A sign on the office doors states they will reopen at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Hanus is the sole owner and operator of his business and has been practicing medicine since around 1976. Both his office and residence are located in South Whitley.

The Indiana General’s Medicaid Fraud Control unit investigates violations of state health care law, including Medicaid provider fraud and misuse of Medicaid recipient’s 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.

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information relative to the investigation should call the Merrillville DEA at (219) 644-3127 or the Whitley County Drug Task Force at (260) 244-5410.

The family practice was evacuated from patients and a sign was displayed on the door, “For any emergency please go to the local ER. Sorry for any inconvenience.” The note stated the office would reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5.