The Columbus and Tryon police departments arrested an Inman, S.C., woman in connection with using fraudulent prescriptions at pharmacies in Columbus and Tryon.

On Monday, June 6, 2011, Marci Lane Balkind, 39, of Inman, S.C., was arrested and charged with eight felonies, according to police reports. Balkind was charged with three counts of uttering a forged instrument, two counts of trafficking opium or heroin, two counts of obtaining controlled substances by fraud or forgery and one count of attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud or forgery, according to Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield.
“Cooperation between the two law enforcement agencies, along with diligent practices by the local pharmacies, made these arrests possible,” Beddingfield said. “Prescription drug abuse is one of the largest problems facing our society today.”
Capt. Tim Wright with the Tryon Police Department agreed.
“Teamwork is a necessity during law enforcement operations,” Wright said. “Without law enforcement and the local business owners working together we would be fighting a losing battle.”
Balkind was still in custody under a $10,000 secured bond as of Tuesday, June 7. Balkind’s first court appearance was scheduled for Wednesday, June 8.