Law enforcement authorities have arrested nearly three dozen people and dismantled a major illegal prescription drug operation in Marion County.
The 11-month operation, dubbed “Operation Blue Forest,” led to the arrest of 34 people involved in buying and selling illegal prescription pills.
54-year-old Eugene “Bubba” Ryals as the ring leader of a “very well organized and systematic” pharmaceutical drug-trafficking organization within Marion County, authorities said.
Ryals had an elaborate organization to include a runner, broker and mid-level organizer which is commonly referred to as a “sponsor”.
During the eleven month long investigation agents were able to infiltrate the inner workings of Ryals’ organization which lead to agents serving three search warrants located 905 and 875 NE 118th Ave Rd, Silver Springs Fl. and 1115 Ne 32nd Pl. Ocala, Fl.
Agents secured arrest warrants for 43 subjects which totaled 215 Felony Charges, and 2 vehicles being seized. Agents purchased 252 pills, and in the last six weeks of the operation documented 6,892 Oxycodone pills and 1,680 Methadone pills being supplied to Eugene “Bubba” Ryals resulting in Ryals reselling the prescription pills making an estimated 96,326.00 dollars in profit.
During the two day operation agents also arrested four other individuals with charges that ranged from trafficking in prescription pills, possession of prescription pills, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Operation Blue Forest involved several agencies including the Multi-Agency Drug Enforcement Team and Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
