Orange-Osceola state attorney launching new narcotics unit to investigate drug trafficking

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell announced Monday a new narcotics unit to investigate and prosecute high-level drug trafficking cases.

Worrell said the unit’s mission is to promote a fair and equitable administration of justice, while protecting public safety and preventing overdose deaths.

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She said incarceration cannot be the only method to crack down on drug crimes.

“We can’t treat everyone the same,” Worrell said.

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She said there are suppliers being arrested, but there are also those who are addicted. Worrell said addictions aren’t helped by putting addicted people into prison.

She said the new unit will help differentiate between the exploited and the exploiters will be a priority of the new unit of state attorneys assigned to the unit.

“We’re looking at criminal histories to identify which individuals have histories that would show that they are more likely on the addicted or exploited side than they are on the side of those who are doing the exploiting,” Worrell said.

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The new unit is launching a week after board members voted to dissolve the Osceola County Investigative Bureau, a multi-jurisdictional anti-drug task force that targeted mid to upper-level drug traffickers.

Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.

Video: Orange-Osceola state attorney forms committee to bridge gap between residents, justice system Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell is trying to bridge the gap between Central Florida residents and the criminal justice system. (Karen Parks, WFTV.com)

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