The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation along with multiple other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies arrested multiple suspects in a drug round-up in Putnam County, TN which targeted individuals selling prescription drugs illegally.
The Putnam County Grand Jury handed down multiple indictments on 30 individuals earlier this week. The case was initiated by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office after law enforcement received information of an illegal prescription drug problem in Monterey, TN that is blamed for an increase of recent overdose deaths.
The operation began in September of 2009 and culminated in this week's arrests.
Officers and agents made numerous undercover buys of prescription narcotics, mainly oxycontin and hydrocodone, over the last several months.
The majority of those indicted by the Grand Jury faced charges involving the sale of prescription pills.
Employers in the area have been discussing the increasing problem with prescription drugs. One company that performs random at-work testing for the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol, said that the abuse of prescription drugs is one of the most prevalent issues in the area today. Said the owner of the testing company, "It's difficult -- because, as long as they have a prescription, it's hard to prove abuse. But the abuse patterns are clear and increasing. It's tough to battle -- because, depending on the drug plan they're under (like TennCare) they can get these prescriptions at zero to next to nothing in terms of cost and turn around and sell a bottle for more than they can make in a week."
Pain clinics have been under close TBI scrutiny in the past few years, as drug-seekers may illegally seek these prescriptions from both a doctor and a pain clinic in order to fill multiple prescriptions.
The investigation and arrests represent a significant event in the battle against prescription drug abuse.
The suspects were processed, then booked into the Putnam County Jail.
Those arrested (listed alphabetically), of Monterey, unless otherwise noted:
Myra Bilbrey, 51, of Arrowhead Dr., sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Michael Jack Carlson, 34, of Buckner Road, sale and delivery of morphine.
Ricky Farris Cook, 23, of Hampton Lane, sale and delivery of dihydrocodeine.
Ricky Darrell Cook, 50, of Hampton Lane, sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Jimmy Cook, 50, of Standing Stone Drive, sale and delivery of Hydrocodone.
Marilyn Cook, 27, of E. 18th St., Cookeville, sale and delivery of buprenorphine.
Tasha Cook, 25, of Hampton Lane, sale and delivery of morphine.
Thomas Cook, 27, of Roger Norrod Lane, Crawford, sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Nicki Cook, 21, of Hampton Lane, sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Danny Coleman, 42, of Johnson Ave., sale and delivery of dihydrocodeine.
Ralph Terry Cravens, 38, of Cravenstown Rd, Wilder, sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Amanda Ferry, 28, of W. Hoyt Ave., sale and delivery of Oxycodone; charged also for simple possession of drugs.
Bradley Galo, 29, of E. Hoyt Ave., sale and delivery of Oxycodone; possession of a controlled substance.
Tracy Hyso, 24, of E. Hoyt Ave., sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Jeffery Payton, 36, of Standing Stone Dr., sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Matthew Redden, 33, of N. Elm St., sale and delivery of buprenorphine; also facing TennCare benefit fraud charges.
Destiny Tirey, 20, of S. Poplar Ave., sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Danny Walker, 48, of Standing Stone Dr., sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Randall Scott Walker, 41, of W. Hoyt Ave., sale and delivery of dihydrocodeine.
Joshua Warden, 26, of E. Railroad Ave., sale and delivery of Oxycodone; also facing TennCare benefits fraud charges and possession of a controlled substance.
Kathleen Webb, 23, of Standing Stone Ave., sale and delivery of Oxycodone.
Stephanie Williams, 32, of Buckner Road, sale and delivery of Morphine.
