Raids in Painesville, Eastlake, Wickliffe, Cleveland lead to suspected prescription drug ring

Seven people were arrested Tuesday, accused of putting thousands of doses of illegal prescription pain killers on the streets of Lake County.

The Lake County Narcotics Agency and U.S. Marshall’s Violent Fugitive Task Force conducted the early-morning raids in Painesville, Eastlake, Wickliffe and Cleveland.

The seven people were accused of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs, Aggravated Possession of Drugs and Deception to Obtain Dangerous Drugs.

Those arrested included:

Vincent Conatti, 62, of Eastlake

Sandra McPherson, 57, of Eastlake

Stephen Young, 48, of Painesville

Rebecca Keefer, 45, of Painesville

Johnny Farmer, 42, of Wickliffe

Leslie Harris, 52, of Cleveland

Nanette Barry, 47, of Cleveland

The investigation was initiated after narcotics agents received a tip that members of the group would first obtain prescriptions for powerful narcotics, such as OxyContin and Methadone, from their physicians and then immediately sell them for as much as $30 per tablet to area residents.