SAN DIEGO -- A North County physician suspected of dealing marijuana and dispensing highly addictive, frequently abused medications without valid prescriptions pleaded not guilty Thursday to 17 felony charges.

Dr. Jeffrey Yusim, 50, was taken into custody Sept. 10 by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigators, who served search warrants at his Vista home and office.

During a nine-month probe, Yusim "routinely" issued prescriptions to undercover operatives who posed as patients but did not present legitimate medical criteria to receive the drugs, said DEA Special Agent Eileen Zeidler.

The substances dispensed to the investigators at Yusim's workplace, Quality Care Medical Center on Townsite Drive, included such medications as OxyContin, Vicodin, Ambien and Phenergan with Codeine cough syrup, according to Zeidler.

During the searches, DEA agents also seized five loaded pistols, three rifles, a variety of controlled substances, more than a half-pound of high-grade marijuana, two scales and several thousand dollars in cash, Zeidler said.

Deputy District Attorney Steven Walter said the doctor was charged with 16 counts of writing prescriptions without a medical reason and one count of possession of marijuana for sale.

More charges could be filed, Walter said.

His lawyer, Paul Pfingst, said three or four people got prescriptions for 30 tablets each of the pain reliever Vicodin, plus a refill.

"There's a medical dispute here," said Pfingst. "There's not a single witness who will say (Yusim) ever sold drugs or profited from selling drugs."

The firearms were kept in a gun safe and legally owned, the lawyer said.

Martin Hagen, with the state Attorney General's Office, filed a motion requesting restrictions on Yusim's medical license.

Judge David Szumowski ruled that the motion will be heard at a later date. Any restrictions would be up to the discretion of the judge who hears the matter, Hagen said.

Yusim remains free on bond pending an Oct. 9 readiness conference at the Vista Courthouse.