Brevard County, Florida — In response to the trend of illegal prescription drug abuse plaguing our county, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office conducted an operation designed to target those illegally distributing prescription medications (and other controlled substances) operating throughout Brevard County.
During the past month, narcotics purchases were made throughout Brevard County. As a result, 50 arrest warrants were obtained for individuals who are responsible for illegally selling prescription medications such as Percocet, Lortab, Roxicodone and Oxycodone.
Charges for each of the suspects ranged from sale of a controlled substance to trafficking in controlled substances.
The Florida Medical Examiners Commission reported 2,710 deaths were caused by prescription drugs in the state in 2010, compared with 2,488 in 2009. Oxycodone was attributed the most, causing 1,516 deaths, compared with 1,185 in 2009. Currently, 1 in 7 Florida deaths are linked to prescription drugs. The leading prescription drugs attributed in the deaths are: oxycodone, alprazolam (Xanax), methadone, hydrocodone (Vicodin), diazepam (Valium) and morphine.
Beginning at 8:00 A.M. yesterday, agents with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the GAMEOVER Task Force began arresting the wanted suspects. Currently, 28 suspects have been arrested.
On one purchase during this operation, as the suspect was making arrangements by telephone to complete a drug transaction, the suspect told the undercover agent that they had to put the telephone down to assist a friend. As the agent listened, the suspect was attempting to revive a friend who had overdosed on prescription medication. Agents responded to the location along with Rescue personnel. Fortunately, the friend was transported and survived the overdose.
Anyone with information regarding this operation or illegal drug sales are urged to call CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). All calls to CRIMELINE are confidential and callers can remain anonymous.