RACINE - Undercover agents in Racine County tell TODAY'S TMJ4 they're buying drugs on the streets of Racine everyday, and it's not the street drugs you might think. It's prescription pain killers. What are deputies doing to curtail the problem? Sheriff Chris Schmaling says for the past seven months, they've been running a major operation cleverly dubbed, "Operation Orange Bottle." It's a major strike at people illegally dealing prescription drugs.
Operation Orange Bottle began in October 2015 and has so far netted more than 50 arrests. The large scale operation in Racine County targeted people illegally selling their prescriptions for Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Adderrall and Xanax.
"And then they get their prescription drugs through their doctor, pick them up at a local pharmacy and they distribute them," said Sheriff Schmaling.
The sheriff showed us some of the faces arrested in the case. They're from all walks of life. Some are getting their pills paid for by insurance for those on government-assistance, and then turning around and making a big profit.
"These pills such as Hydrocodone are being sold for a dollar a gram. So if you have a 20 gram pill as an example, that is a $20 pill. So if you have a 30 count bottle, do the math, it’s very lucrative and very profitable for these individuals to do this," said Sheriff Schmaling.
Sheriff Schmaling says only the dealers were targeted in this, not the buyers. He says buyers need help, but dealers need jail time. He hopes pharmacies and doctors are looking for red flags in people asking to fill prescriptions.
“We need to do our due diligence and let the doctors know that when you’re prescribing these medications, they’re not taking them, they’re selling them," said Sheriff Schmaling.
The opioid problem is growing nationwide. Opioid addicts are often turning to other drugs.
“For opioid addicts, heroin is cheaper and it’s easier to obtain than prescription medication," said Sheriff Schmaling.
Not all of the 50 are in custody right now, but of those who are in custody, many are facing felony drug charges.
