Investigators: Prescription probe complete

Flagler County Sheriff's investigators have reported wrapping up a three-month investigation Friday evening into an illegal operation that allegedly was distribution of prescription pain killers in the county.

Investigators are charging that the organization was led by Justin Douglas of Ormond Beach.

"Douglas recruited others to conduct fraudulent doctor visits for the purpose of obtaining prescriptions for the pain killer Roxicodone," according to a release from the sheriff's office. "Roxicodone contains the controlled substance Oxycodone, which is also contained in Oxycontin."


The recruits allegedly filled the prescriptions at local pharmacies and received payment for the doctor visit and the pills from Douglas, the Sheriff's Office stated. The prescriptions averaged from 190 to 300 pills each, investigators said.

The Roxicodone pills were sold on the street for $9 to $12 each, according to the release.

Investigators say that Douglas recruited "at least 30 people" over the past two years. Many of them reportedly live in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach.

Investigators also say Douglas made $15,000 to $25,000 a month through the operation.

Several agencies were involved in the investigation. The sheriff's office was assisted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Tri-County Task Force and the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

Officers began to buy pills from the organization in November 2008, the release said.

"Because of the amount of pills being sold each time, many of the charges are trafficking charges which carry a minimum mandatory prison term upon conviction," according to the press release. "Several of these charges are mandatory 15-year sentences."

Through the efforts of earlier investigations, "(D)rug dealers in Flagler County were put on notice that we were after them," said Sheriff Donald W. Fleming. "These individuals failed to heed the warning and now we have taken them down.

"It is time for drug dealers to leave Flagler County because we are not done yet, and we will be coming after you if you stay."
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Sheriff's investigators are asking for assistance in locating suspect Eric Johnson, 19, of 12 Sea Beacon Place, Palm Coast.

Anyone with information on Johnson's whereabouts is asked to call the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at (386) 437-4116 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-277-8477.