The Florida Department of Law Enforcement begins a state-wide investigation Monday into thousands of cases likely compromised, because a chemist tampered with evidence.
The chemist, who has not been named, is accused of stealing prescription drugs connected with 2,600 cases, substituting them with over-the-counter medications.
The theft of prescription drugs was first discovered in Escambia County. But FDLE said, the suspected chemist worked for 80 law enforcement agencies spanning 35 counties and 12 judicial circuits.
Some legal analysts suggest that because of the theft, the state could lose some pending cases they might have won. The counties  impacted include Lake, Osceola and Sumter.
The chemist, who worked in FDLE’s Pensacola Regional Crime Laboratory since 2006, has been relieved of duty.
