Two women arrested in counterfeit currency and drug investigation

Two women were arrested in Lee County Sheriff’s Office drug raid on Thursday in North Fort Myers.

Ashley Busch, 32, faces charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in opium or a derivative (Fentanyl), possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and drug equipment possession.

Deborah Lee Pegg, 44, faces charges of possession of counterfeit currency and manufacturing counterfeit currency.

The search warrant took place at a home in the 1200 block of Old Bridge Road. It was a result of a several month’s long investigation into the passing of counterfeit currency, which was conducted by LCSO as well as agents from the U.S. Secret Service.

In the search, deputies recovered two ink jet printers, ink cartridges, scissors, Exacto knives, multiple boxes of paper commonly used to print counterfeit currency, a plastic grocery bag containing scraps of cut paper, gold colored markers, approximately $2,000 of counterfeit US currency and approximately $5,000 worth of uncut US currency and other bill making material. The counterfeit currency was in $10 and $20 denominations.

During the search warrant, detectives also located and recovered numerous types of narcotics throughout the residence, including controlled prescriptions, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, Fentanyl and a Taurus Millennium 9mm handgun.