MANTI-- Forty-one year old Deborah E. McCoard, Spring City, and 38- year-old Treila Shumway, Manti, are among those charged in the case involving the illegal sale of more than 11 million pills over a five-year period.

Sixteen other people have been indicted for illegal online prescription drug distribution. Law enforcement authorities believe the sales involved millions of dollars in sales, distributed through the business from 2003 through this year.

Those ordering prescription drugs over the internet often don't need a prescription. According to investigators, the drugs were smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico.

The group faces drug importation, distribution, money laundering and wire fraud charges that could mean up to 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $1 million per charge for some.

The group operated at least four web sites, primarly www.lighthousemeds.com and www.federalmeds.com, selling valium, Ritalin, Xanax and the weight-loss drug Phentemine. Authorities say the lighthouse site never had a licensed pharmacist. They did have nearly 60,000 transactions over 18 months, ending in 2006.

U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman said that buying and dispensing prescriptions over the internet is not illegal and gives individuals with valid prescriptions a convenient way to access medication.

"However, as with any other business, there are those who operate outside the lines of what is legal in an attempt to make money," Tolman said. "The risk is that while those running these illegal businesses are making millions of dollars, those using the business to order prescription medication may very well be putting their health at risk."

Legitimate web sites will ask for many checks and balances, while rogue sites will be most concerned with how the customer will pay and which drugs they want to buy.