What began as a traffic stop resulted in the arrest of two people on several prescription drug and fraud charges.
Michael Shane Stamey, 39, of John Burruss Road and Lillie Fortenberry, 47, of Dallas are being held without bond at the Forsyth County Detention Center, a jail spokeswoman said.
The suspects were arrested Wednesday by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office after they were stopped about 1 a.m. on the southbound ramp of Ga. 400 near Hwy. 20.
Sheriff’s Lt. Gus Sesam said the couple was arrested after deputies learned Bartow County and Alpharetta authorities had taken out warrants against them.
As Stamey got out of the vehicle, Sesam said, suspected cocaine fell out of his pocket.
Sesam said based on what was found in the car, the suspects could have made anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 in sales.
“Evidence indicates they were using fraudulent prescriptions to obtain synthetic narcotics illegally,” Sesam said. “They were making at least $20,000 a week.”
Authorities found about 319 prescription pills, blank and fraudulent prescription forms, a methamphetamine pipe, digital scale and other illegal items when they searched the 1998 Lexus in which the couple was traveling.
Stamey was charged with 11 counts of forgery in the second degree, possession of oxycodone and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, Roxycodone, Xanax and Lortab.
Fortenberry was charged with 14 counts of forgery in the second degree and possession of methamphetamine. She also faces a tag light violation and possession with the intent to distribute Roxycodone, Lortab and Xanax.
Sesam said authorities have recently noticed an increase in synthetic drug abuse.
Investigators said Roxycodone, which is a pain reliever, has a street value of about $20 to $25 per 30 milligram pill, while Oxycodone and Lortab, which are similar to Roxycodone, are worth more.
Authorities were not sure where the couple was heading when they were stopped.
Michael Shane Stamey, 39, of John Burruss Road and Lillie Fortenberry, 47, of Dallas are being held without bond at the Forsyth County Detention Center, a jail spokeswoman said.
The suspects were arrested Wednesday by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office after they were stopped about 1 a.m. on the southbound ramp of Ga. 400 near Hwy. 20.
Sheriff’s Lt. Gus Sesam said the couple was arrested after deputies learned Bartow County and Alpharetta authorities had taken out warrants against them.
As Stamey got out of the vehicle, Sesam said, suspected cocaine fell out of his pocket.
Sesam said based on what was found in the car, the suspects could have made anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 in sales.
“Evidence indicates they were using fraudulent prescriptions to obtain synthetic narcotics illegally,” Sesam said. “They were making at least $20,000 a week.”
Authorities found about 319 prescription pills, blank and fraudulent prescription forms, a methamphetamine pipe, digital scale and other illegal items when they searched the 1998 Lexus in which the couple was traveling.
Stamey was charged with 11 counts of forgery in the second degree, possession of oxycodone and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, Roxycodone, Xanax and Lortab.
Fortenberry was charged with 14 counts of forgery in the second degree and possession of methamphetamine. She also faces a tag light violation and possession with the intent to distribute Roxycodone, Lortab and Xanax.
Sesam said authorities have recently noticed an increase in synthetic drug abuse.
Investigators said Roxycodone, which is a pain reliever, has a street value of about $20 to $25 per 30 milligram pill, while Oxycodone and Lortab, which are similar to Roxycodone, are worth more.
Authorities were not sure where the couple was heading when they were stopped.