Troy police arrested three Georgia residents last week on charges that they attempted to purchase controlled substances at local pharmacies using forged prescriptions.

Jameel Marquis Davis, 24, of Atlanta; Malik Bobby Rowe, 23, of Decatur; and Megan Korea Davis. 19, of Jonesboro, were all arrested on the charges on April 18.

“These individuals went into four different pharmacies with forged prescriptions attempting to purchase promethazine-codeine cough syrup,” said Troy Police Chief Randall Barr. “All three subjects were taken into custody after a failed attempt to purchase the controlled medication at Wal-Mart Pharmacy. Prior to Wal-Mart the trio had attempted purchase at three other pharmacies in town, one of which was successful.”

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse promethazine-codeine cough syrup is a medication that contains codeine, an opioid that acts as a cough suppressant and can also produce relaxation and euphoria when consumed at a higher-than-prescribed dose. It also contains promethazine HCl, an antihistamine that additionally acts as a sedative.

“Although only available by prescription, promethazine-codeine cough syrup is sometimes diverted for abuse,” Barr said. “Cough and cold medicines are usually consumed orally in tablet, capsule or syrup form. They may be mixed with soda for flavor and are often abused in combination with other drugs, such as alcohol or marijuana.”

All three suspects are charged with one count of possession of a drug by fraud or false information, a Class C Felony. Rowe and Jameel Davis are also charged with one count each of attempt to obtain a controlled substance by deception, a Class D Felony. Rowe is also charge with one count of possession or reception of a controlled substance, a Class D Felony.

The three suspects were all booked into the Pike County Jail on bonds totaling $19,500.