A three-month drug investigation from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office resulted in eight arrests and 127 charges.

Authorities said in a release that the investigation was focused on a “suspected local opioid prescription pill-sharing network.” Approximately 600 prescription pills were allegedly passing through that network each month.

“The opioid crisis is a national issue that is also impacting us here in Chatham County,” Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said in a release. “Your Sheriff’s Office is working tirelessly to combat this crisis through education, prevention, intervention, and treatment. It takes a community effort and plenty of teamwork to reach a successful resolution. My deputies are committed to putting a stop to opioid abuse and misuse in Chatham County.”

Deputies seized 887 prescription opiate pills, 224 Xanax pills, 8.5 grams of marijuana, two vehicles and $4,647 in cash, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities added that the suspects “owe over $17,000 in drug taxes to the North Carolina Department of Revenue.”

Those arrested as part of the investigation are 36-year-old Alisha Denise Moore, 61-year-old Thomas Neil Moore, 66-year-old James Kilgore, 65-year-old Melinda Rose Kilgore, 43-year-old Rebecca Diane Kilgore, 51-year-old Donna Dowd Maness, 58-year-old Mary Ann Patterson and 71-year-old Willie Ricks.

All suspects were being held under bonds ranging from $100,000 to more than $1 million.

Roberson, who is a member of the Opioid Task Force established by state Attorney General Josh Stein, said these arrests are part of a larger plan targeting the opioid crisis.

“It is important to identify and target the root of the issue. There is much more work ahead, but we aren’t backing down,” Roberson said. “Addiction is a community issue that requires a unified approach involving agencies and individuals. To be successful, it will take health organizations, schools, non-profits, emergency services, law enforcement, churches—ALL of us—working together with one vision in mind.”

Photos via Chatham County Sheriff’s Office

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