Prescription Drug Sweep Seeks to Roundup 70 Suspects

NEW PORT RICHEY- The Sheriff's Office and multiple other law enforcement agencies are rounding up about 70 suspects connected to fraudulent prescription drugs, Monday morning.

"The majority of the ones we are looking for today happen to be in Pasco," said Cecilia Barreda, spokesperson for the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The sweep began at 7:15 a.m. today. New Port Richey Police Department, 6739 Adams St., is being used as the command post for the second phase of Operation No Appointment Necessary .

The sweep stems from the Sheriff’s Office's initial Operation No Appointment Necessary 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 first phase of the sweep the task force has made more arrests through this operation. 

The  Countywide Diversion Task
Force, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office and the New Port Richey Police Department are working together in this investigation.

Capt. Bob Alfonso of the Sheriff Narcotics Division; Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco; a representative from the Hernando County Sheriff; and Lt. Jim Steffens of the New Port Richey Police Department will make a statement later today.

Stay with Patch for updates on this developing story.