Thousands of the criminal prescription drug cases may be in jeopardy after a law-enforcement chemist has been accused of swapping the pain pills for over-the-counter drugs.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement chemist, whose name was not released, is accused of stealing pills from an evidence room in the Panhandle for years, according to The Associated Press.
The chemist, who worked on cases for 80 law enforcement agencies, is on paid leave. Roughly 2,600 cases in 36 counties have been linked to the chemist.