According the Illinois State Police, 13,300 Vicodin pills were taken by the group. Investigators say the suspects were allegedly using forged prescriptions from a Davenport, IL physician, where one of the suspects worked as a medical assistant. Authorities add the group would use the forged prescriptions at three Kewanee, IL pharmacies.

“We received information from the Kewanee police department that an individual was trying to obtain prescriptions fraudulently,” said the investigator with the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Bureau.

The investigation started in January and investigators discovered four people were allegedly using forged prescriptions to obtain Vicodin.

“I believe it was for personal use and that it was not sold,” added the investigator.

The three pharmacies where authorities say the group obtained the Vicodin are Walgreens, CVS and Wal-Mart. All three of the pharmacies provided crucial information that helped with the investigation.

“They provided us with original hand copies of the prescriptions and surveillance photos,” said the Illinois investigator, “It was the surveillance cameras in the pharmacies that really helped out the investigation.”

Obtaining 13,300 prescription drug tablets is considered a lot. However, it’s not unusual.

“I would say what happens is when people take Vicodin they become more tolerant to it. They then require more and more Vicodin,” said the police spokesperson.

Illinois State Police say these types of drug diversion cases are becoming more common. Not only are they seeing an increase in forged prescriptions, but also where staff at long term care facilities use the drugs for their own use. The representative added, “I would say the nursing home one is more common than forged prescriptions.”

The suspects have been released from the Henry County Jail. Authorities are in contact with the fourth suspect and he will be charged soon.

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