31 people arrested in Sevier Co. undercover drug operation

31 people arrested in Sevier Co. undercover drug operation

SEVIERVILLE (WATE) -- A seven month investigation called Operation No Refills lead to the arrests of 31 people in Sevier County Wednesday.

The main focus of the operation was prescription medication. 

Some of the prescriptions sold were for: oxycodone, oxycontin, morphine, hydrocodone in varying strengths, diazepam, valium and clonazepam.

Other drugs that were confiscated included: marijuana, cocaine heroin and methamphetamine.

Undercover officers and confidential sources bought small quantities or whole bottles of the prescriptions from homes, on the streets and in the parking lots of pharmacies and doctors' offices.

Investigators found the suspects are a vast network of people who sell to each other and know the dates of doctor's office visits.

The suspects would fake health issues to get the prescriptions, which they resold for much higher profits.

A typical oxycodone prescription costs the customer roughly $7.00 to $10.00 when filled by Medicaid. Those pills can make a $250 to $1,500 profit when sold individually, the sheriff's office says.

Operation No Refills is the third of its kind by the Sevier County Sheriff's Office in the last 18 months.

Nearly 150 more people not named in the arrest warrants were identified as suspected abusers or distributors.

The Tennessee Meth Task Force and the Fourth District Attorney General's Office helped the sheriff's office with the operation.