There have been more and more law enforcement operations lately with the intent to bust painkiller drug rings and try to stop the spread of illegal prescription drugs in Florida. The latest is taking place in Clearwater and Pinellas County according to TBO.com. Operation Pill Popper II is underway with the goal of arresting more than 100 people.
The arrests are mainly for those involved in illegally selling painkillers or those individuals who go from doctor to doctor collecting numerous prescriptions for pain pills like Oxycodone. This practice is usually referred to as doctor shopping and it is common among people who abuse painkillers or those who sell them. The operation taking place in Pinellas County is being aided by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
Seminole County DUI – Mother Arrested In Lake Mary For Third DUI While Picking Up Son At School
A fender bender at a Lake Mary, Florida school has led to a Seminole County DUI charge and apparently this mother has had multiple DUI arrests in her past. WTSP is reporting that 43-year-old Renee Godby was arrested for a drunk driving incident that took place when she arrived to pick up her son from Lake Mary Elementary School.
The incident took place Tuesday afternoon. Godby allegedly was pulling up at the school to pick up her child when she hit another car while driving her sport utility vehicle. There were no injuries in the fender bender but people at the scene of the accident became suspicious that Godby may be impaired. Lake Mary Police Lt. Mike Biles told WTSP that he was concerned for the safety of her son if Godby was intending to drive the young boy home.
Florida Traffic News – 151 Traffic Stops Uncover Cocaine, Marijuana, Xanax And Illegal Seafood
In hopes of stopping the flow of illegal contraband through the Florida Keys law enforcement officers conducted traffic stops along U.S. 1 making numerous drug arrests and even uncovering some illegal seafood. The checkpoints were set up and run collaboratively by law enforcement agents, drug agents and immigration officers. Among those involved in the operation were the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Highway Patrol, U.S. Border Patrol and DEA among others.
The Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel quoted the Monroe County Sheriff’s office saying there were 151 traffic stops and 84 Florida traffic citations issued. The first stop of the night may have netted the biggest haul thanks to Deja the drug-sniffing dog. The police canine helped uncover crack cocaine, Xanax, powdered cocaine and marijuana. Police also uncovered over $2,000 during that stop. Three construction workers were arrested due to the traffic stop. They were charged with trafficking in cocaine and possession of marijuana and taken to the Monore County jail. All three men were described as construction workers according to the article on the newspaper’s website.
Plant City DUI News – Drugs Fall From Woman During Field Sobriety Exercises After Traffic Stop
A Plant City woman saw things go from bad to worse as a traffic stop led to a DUI investigation which then led to drug charges. According to police Theresa Alean Martinez was stopped for failing to maintain her lane and also for driving with an expired tag. She was asked to perform field sobriety tests and that is when she was discovered to be in possession of drugs.
According to a story on TBO.com the incident began at 2:25 p.m. at West Merrick and South Collins in Plant City. Upon observing Martinez failing to maintain her lane and most likely an expired sticker on her license plate, Plant City Police pulled the 38-year-old over. After approaching the vehicle police reported noticing that Martinez’s eyes had dilated pupils and that she was slurring her speech.
Tampa Drug Arrest News – 33 Gang Members Arrested In Major Tampa Drug Bust
A police investigation called “Operation Under Pressure” resulted in a major Tampa drug bust today that netted 40 kilos of cocaine, 1,200 pounds of marijuana and crack cocaine with an approximate value of $2.5 million. According to a story on TBO.com the bust today resulted in the arrest of 33 people who are being described in the story as gang members.
Friday’s bust was the result of an undercover investigation that began in December of 2008. Detectives infiltrated the drug ring and discovered a multi-million dollar drug smuggling operation with ties to Mexico and gangs. The drugs came through Texas and were brought to Hillsborough County in trailers. Friday’s drug bust was the result of a trailer being pulled over on I-75 in Tampa. Drug sniffing dogs detected the narcotics that were buried under cilantro, limes, green peppers and avocados.
Pinellas County DUI News – St. Pete Cop Keeping His Job After Pleading No Contest To DUI And Hit-And-Run Charges
Anthony Green will keep his job as a cop in St. Petersburg despite pleading no contest to a misdemeanor DUI charge and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. The 30-year-old was adjudicated guilty and according to the Pinellas Assistant State Attorney, Green was treated just like any other citizen arrested for the same charges.
Pinellas-Pasco Assistant State Attorney Richard Ripplinger said Green was very cooperative throughout the process. He was sentenced to one year probation and has undergone counseling. Green also lost his driver’s license for a year but will be granted a business purpose only license so he can drive his patrol car when he returns to the force in six weeks. The six week suspension does not include pay and Green will be randomly tested for two years and has been ordered to stay away from alcohol for five years.
Charlotte County Oxycodone Arrests – Punta Gorda Woman Arrested For Doctor Shopping
The rise in Florida Oxycodone arrests continues to escalate as a Punta Gorda woman is the latest in a long list of Florida residents who have been jailed for doctor shopping. MySuncoast.com is reporting that Brenda Garrett Dolph was arrested Monday after she illegally obtained prescription drugs from numerous doctors.
The 55-year-old woman is accused of going from doctor to doctor in order to get Oxycodone and Lyrica prescription pills. She went to two doctor’s offices and also a Florida pain clinic in order to stockpile the prescription drugs illegally. None of the doctors are in any trouble as police believe each was lied to by the woman who allegedly told all three doctors that she had not seen any other doctor for her pain.
Florida DUI News – Hernando County DUI Suspect Defecates In His Pants During Field Sobriety Tests
The story of Brian Collins Hernando County DUI arrest is gaining more press than most due to the fact the 35-year-old reportedly defecated in his pants during field sobriety tests. WTSP is reporting that Collins was involved in an accident in Spring Hill causing sheriff’s deputies to be called to the scene. After their arrival, they began a DUI investigation.
According to police reports when deputies arrived at the crash site Collins had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and a very strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The man was still in his car when the officers arrived and he allegedly admitted to drinking. He told the deputies he had four vodka drinks at an establishment called the Mermaid Lounge.
Florida DUI News – Sheriff’s Office Employee In Clearwater Arrested Following DUI Crash
Local TV station10 Connects is reporting via its website that a Florida DUI arrest has been made in the case of a Clearwater sheriff’s employee who was involved in a drunk driving crash. Diane Ferron was involved in a car accident on the property of the jail where she is employed Wednesday and has been charged as a result.
According to the story, Ferron was leaving the jail in her own vehicle just after 11:00 a.m. She apparently lost control of her vehicle and ended up in the lot of the Largo watershed treatment facility. In the process she crashed through an exterior perimeter fence. Deputies who responded said Ferron seemed impaired. They concluded she was not under the influence of alcohol but may have broken DUI laws by driving under the influence of drugs. According to reports Ferron admitted she was driving while on prescription medication. She failed field sobriety tests.
Florida Prescription Pain Killer Crimes – Pain Clinic Owner Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Charges
A Florida man who owned a chain of pain clinics in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Jacksonville Orlando and Lakeland has pled guilty to federal drug charges revolving around the illegal distribution of prescription painkillers. Troy Wubbena operated pain clinics all over Florida with Dr. Jeffery Friedlander. The doctor has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute drugs including oxycodone. Wubbena is expected to plead guilty to the same charges next week according to the Tampa Tribune.
The clinics that Wubbena owned and operated with Friedlander were part of a significant operation illegally distributing painkillers and drugs according to authorities. The clinics have been shut down and according to the story thousands of pain killers were illegally sold to addicts and even high school students. Wubbena kept track of sales and directed them for the pain clinics. He kept records on note cards.
The main drug the clinic dealt with was oxycodone. The operation was based on blank prescription forms that were signed by Dr. Friedlander and then filled out by clinic employees and Wubbena. The 44-year-old has apparently admitted to using the pre-signed forms. They were filled out in the names of patients, filled at pharmacies and then sold. Wubbena allegedly admitted to acquiring more than 15,000 oxycodone pills using this method in a span of over two-years.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies were involved in the operation to shut down the pain clinic as they went undercover. The charges for illegally distributing prescription drugs aren’t the only ones the pair will face. There are also Medicare fraud charges that they defendants will face. Firedlander is expected to be sentenced in August. Wubbena is facing up to 20 years in prison on his charges when he is sentenced.