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FDLE: Chemist Swapped Out Drugs

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

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.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.