Former pharmaceutical technician arrested for stealing prescription medicine

Former pharmaceutical technician arrested for stealing prescription medicine
Published: Jul. 18, 2018 at 7:44 PM EDT|Updated: Jul. 18, 2018 at 11:19 PM EDT
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CHATHAM CO., GA (WTOC) - A former pharmaceutical technician is in custody following a joint investigation opened by the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and CNT launched the investigation after receiving information that a technician was possibly stealing controlled substances from a pharmacy chain located in Richmond Hill. Investigators say that pharmacy was made aware of the investigation and fully cooperated with the investigation. CNT identified the suspect as 42-year-old Lisa Marie Douthit of Long County.

Investigators say Douthit stole more than 600 prescription pills from the store. They also believe she stole a minimum of 100 prescription pills from another pharmacy within the same chain, located in Savannah. Officials say all the pills stolen were opioid-based medication and are classified as a scheduled 2 controlled substance. All thefts are believed to have occurred during May through June of 2018. Douthit was working as a pharmaceutical technician at the respected locations at the time of the thefts.

"Through an investigation, in addition to stealing the medication through the pharmacy, we believe she was then taking those stolen medications and selling them to members of the community for personal gain and profit," said Gene Harley, Assistant Deputy Director, CNT.

During the course of the investigation. Douthit was fired from the pharmacy chain and voluntarily surrendered her license to the Georgia Bureau of Narcotics. She was arrested Tuesday at her home in Long County and is currently being held in the Chatham County Detention Center. She will face multiple felony drug and theft charges in Chatham and Bryan counties.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges and arrests are expected.

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