Deputies shut down prescription drug ring

HAMILTON — An elaborate illegal prescription scheme operating throughout Southwest Ohio has been foiled with the arrest of three Harrison residents, the Butler County Sheriff’s offices announced Wednesday.

Jason Michael Lee, 31, and Shannon Kay Peak, 25, are housed in the Butler County Jail on multiple counts of illegal processing of drug documents and possession of drugs, all felonies.

Investigators claim Lee has used hundreds of aliases on fake prescriptions passed at multiple pharmacies throughout the area, obtaining thousands of doses of illegal drugs, mostly oxycodone, according to the sheriff’s office

Earlier this month, a search warrant was served at a Millville Avenue residence in Hamilton, where Lee had been temporarily staying with a relative. Investigators seized stacks of special prescription paper and 48 blank prescription forms, some illegal drugs, cash and various ledgers.

Lee’s use of various aliases and almost constant moving made it difficult to track the operation, detectives said. Lee also reportedly used a generic prescription discount card when obtaining the illegal drugs to maximize his profits.

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones credits a co-operative effort involving the Butler County Sheriff’s regional Narcotics Unit, the Warren County Drug Task Force, Hamilton County Drug Abuse Reduction Task Force and the Cincinnati Police Department’s Pharmaceutical Division with the apprehension.