More arrests in drug probe

WAYNESBORO, TENN. - THERE IS A MUG OF SHERIFF WILSON IN MEDIA GRID

Mop up efforts results in additional arrests

Eleven more people have been arrested in connection with drug roundup known as Operation Unnecessary Medicine in Wayne County.

The operation began last weekend and law enforcement agents continue to find and arrest suspects, according to Wayne County Sheriff Ric Wilson.

To date, 41 people have been arrested during the roundup.

"For the last couple of days, we've been picking up strays during the mop-up part of this," Wilson said.

"We still have active warrants on four people, and we'll continue to look for them. They'll show back up, and we should have them picked up in a few days."

Wilson said the operation has put a dent in the illegal sale of prescription pills in the county.

"Believe me, we've got dealers scattering right now," he said.

The arrests were the result of a four-month undercover investigation. He said most cases involve people accused of dealing prescription drugs.

"We did find some cocaine, but by and large, it was pills," Wilson said.

He estimated those arrested "were moving 4,500 to 5,000 pills a month."

"In a roundabout way, they were all working together," Wilson said. "We'd have an undercover agent go in one house and ask for a certain drug. If that dealer didn't have it, they would send the buyer to another location where that certain drug would be available.

"Basically, they were telling on each other without really knowing they were. In fact, that's how we developed a lot of the different sellers."

The sheriff said most of the people arrested were getting their pills by doctor shopping, the practice of going from doctor to doctor and requesting painkillers for ailments. Wilson said they often went to cities throughout Tennessee and Alabama.

"One lady was getting about 400 Lortabs a month and selling them for $7 each," the sheriff said. "She was going to a different doctor every week to get a prescription. She was selling 100 to 120 a week, and was sometimes sold out in a day or two.

"She was making a pretty good living, but now we've put her and a lot of others out of business."

The most recent arrests, all involving unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, are:

n Jamie S. Brewer, 229 Ohio St., Collinwood.

n Dalton Martin, 512 Woodlawn Circle, Collinwood.

n Cathy Marie Brewer, Waynesboro.

n Jason Burns, 229 Ohio St., Collinwood.

n Charles Moore, 603 Third St., Lawrenceburg.

n Nellie Norato, 224-D First St., Collinwood.

n Junior Reeves, 426 W. Tennessee St., Collinwood.

n Angie Risner, 1844 Bear Creek Road, Collinwood.

n Rene Norato, 224 First Ave., Collinwood.

n Dorothy Pitts, 1213 Washington St., Collinwood.

n Connie Staggs, 221 Ohio St., Collinwood.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.