WINDSOR – A combined effort between the Bertie Sheriff’s Office and North Carolina ALE (Alcohol Law Enforcement) has netted the arrests of three individuals allegedly involved in the illegal sale of prescription medication.

Bertie Sheriff John Holley reported that two Windsor residents – Brittany Vanhorn, 20, and Brian Gilliam, 21 – were arrested Thursday along with 47-year-old Ruth Zuill of Williamston.

All three have been under an investigation by both law enforcement agencies since last year. Sheriff Holley said that investigation included “several undercover purchases of illegal prescription pills.”

“The sale and use of these pills are becoming more and more popular among drug users,” Sheriff Holley said. “While the medication is legal, it’s illegal to sell and purchase these type pills once they have been removed from the purpose of which they were originally obtained, and that would be through a prescription written by a licensed physician,” the Sheriff noted.

Vanhorn was charged with five felonies – three counts of trafficking in opium or heroin and one count each of sale and deliver a Schedule 2 drug and conspire to traffic opium or heroin. She was placed in the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail under a $100,000 secured bond.

Gilliam is also jailed under a $100,000 secured bond on the felony charges of sale and deliver a Schedule 2 drug, maintaining a vehicle to store a Schedule 2 drug and possession with intent to sale and deliver a Schedule 2 drug.

Zuill stands charged with two felonies – trafficking in opium or heroin and conspire to traffic opium or heroin. She was jailed under a $50,000 secured bond.

Sheriff Holley urged citizens to contact him at 724-1681 if they are aware of this or any type of illegal drug activity. He said all he needs is your information, not your name.