COLUMBUS – A Columbus man and woman were arrested on drug charges after being accused of selling counterfeit pills in Bartholomew County.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, on Tuesday, arrested 23-year-old Mykenzie Brookover and 25-year-old Blaine Sims after an investigation by the county’s Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team.
The investigation began in 2023 when JNET received a tip about the possible sale of illegal drugs happening at a residence in the 4500 block of Juniper Court in Columbus. While investigating, authorities were granted a search warrant for the home, executed by Columbus SWAT.
During the search on Tuesday, investigators found Sims in possession of over 170 counterfeit 30 mg oxycodone pills and a digital scale. Brookover was later found during a traffic stop near the house. In the vehicle, police found an additional 170 pills.
In total, authorities said over 27 grams of pills worth over $4,500 in street value were seized.
“Counterfeit pills are commonly referred to as ‘Roxy-30s, perks, and blues’,” BCSO Sgt. Dane Duke said in a release. “These pills are blue in color, round in shape, and have ‘M’ and ’30’ imprinted on them. DEA laboratory testing reveals that six out of every 10 of these pressed pills contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.”
Authorities say that counterfeit pills have been associated with multiple overdoses and overdose deaths in Bartholomew County in recent years. These particular pills are round and blue with the letter “M” and number “30” imprinted on them.
Sims and Brookover are facing preliminary charges of dealing in and possessing narcotics, as well as maintaining a common nuisance and possessing drug paraphernalia.
The Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, a combined unit of the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Columbus Police, and the county prosecutor’s office, investigated the case, targeting dangerous drugs in the city and county.
