Police: Manhattan Beach Man Caught up in Undercover Drug Sting

Two men who run a weight-loss clinic in Redondo Beach were arrested, police said today, under the suspicion of selling controlled substances to an undercover detective.

The Redondo Beach Police Department teamed up with Drug Enforcement Administrationagents to investigate a business called A Better Weigh Medical Clinic, 2850 Artesia Blvd., according to an RBPD press release.  

Local police got a tip in March alleging that Dr. Gerard Goryl, 58, of Redondo Beach, was selling large amounts of Vicodin and Norco from his office, officials said.

“An undercover detective, posing as a drug dealer from out of state, entered the weight loss center and purchased several thousand dollars’ worth of Vicodin and Norco over the course of numerous visits,” said Sgt. Jon Naylor.

On Thursday, Goryl was arrested at the clinic, while his assistant, Wilfred Arvizo Jr., 66, of Manhattan Beach, was arrested at his Manhattan Beach home, officials said.

In April of 2008 Dr. Goryl received a public reprimand from the State Medical Board for failing to keep adequate medical patient records and for prescribing medication without sufficient examinations.

 The two men are scheduled to appear in South / West Superior Court, in the City of Torrance on July 16.