Avon and Somerset Police have arrested four people as part of its investigation into the illegal sale of prescription-only drugs after painkillers and sedatives went missing from a pharmacy in Yeovil.

The force, which did not name the pharmacy, said it was alerted after the business’s audit revealed the drugs were missing. The force said a man in his 50s and a woman in her 30s were arrested on suspicion of possessing a medicinal product with intent to supply “not in accordance with a prescription.”

The force also arrested another man in his 30s and a woman in her 50s on suspicion of conspiring to sell/supply prescription-only medicine “not in accordance with a prescription.”

All four were released on bail pending further enquiries. Avon and Somerset Police, who said their investigation is continuing, obtained warrants and seized the medicines from several home addresses in Yeovil this month.

“The sale of prescription-only drugs without an appropriate prescription is an offence over and above the inherent risk of taking a drug without the right medical assessment,” said East Somerset area commander chief inspector Andy Pritchard.

“We’re in the early stages of our investigation and will continue to work closely with the NHS to make sure our communities are safe.”