Physicians, pharmacists and clinicians were among the 41 people charged Aug. 28 in what federal authorities are calling a "massive pill mill" operation in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Federal prosecutors said the scheme helped supply drug dealers across the country with illegally dispensed prescription drugs, including opioids.
Under the alleged scheme, people pretending to be pain patients went to see a physician involved in the plan, who would write a prescription for oxycodone, hydrocodone or carisoprodol.
Authorities claim the people pretending to be patients would often bring the prescription to one pharmacy in the area involved in the scheme. From there, the people pretending to be patients would turn the pills over to a network of dealers across the country.
The Houston area suspects arrested in a countywide morning roundup included physicians, pharmacists, pharmacy employees, clinic owners and clinic employees, according to the report.
Read the full report here.