A chemist at a Pensacola crime lab could have compromised hundreds of state drug cases, Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey said Saturday. FDLE has begun a criminal investigation and a statewide review of all crime-lab drug evidence.

The investigation was triggered by the discovery that prescription pain pills had gone missing from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Bailey says investigators found that each case involving missing drugs had been analyzed by the same chemist."We’ve identified several dozen evidence submissions where prescription drugs were substituted with over-the-counter medications", Bailey said. "This has the potential of impacting hundreds of drug cases across our state." 

In all, the chemist processed 2,600 cases for eighty law enforcement agencies spanning 12 judicial circuits and 35 Florida counties. The cases mostly affect counties in North and West Florida, but extend as far south as Monroe County. Bailey said the motive could be personal use, trafficking, or both. 

Starting Monday, FDLE teams will inspect all evidence handled by the chemist, who has been relieved of his duties but not charged to date.