Multi-Agency Sweep Plans to Pop Prescription Pill Suspects

A multiple law enforcement agency operation working out of New Port Richey Monday morning seeks to net about 70 suspects, most of whom are believed to be connected to fraudulent drug prescriptions.

Involved are the Pinellas County Sheriff's Countywide Diversion Task
Force, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office and the New Port Richey Police Department.

The sweep is being dubbed Operation No Appointment Necessary, Phase Two. The sweep began at 7:15 a.m. Monday and is using the New Port Richey Police Department, 6739 Adams St, as the command post.

The roundup stems from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office's “y” investigation, which began in the fall of 2010 as a response to Pinellas citizens’ complaints about suspicious activities and crimes at doctors’ offices and pharmacies.

Since the initial sweep the task force has continued to make arrests through this operation. 

Speaking about the operation later in the morning include: Cpt. Bob Alfonso, Sheriff Narcotics Division; Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco; a representative from the Hernando County Sheriff; and Lt. Jim Steffens, New Port Richey Police Department.

Return to Patch for details.