ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Eleven people have been arrested following an investigation of an operation that law enforcement officials say sold heroin from restaurant parking lots near Orlando’s International Drive tourist district.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings announced the arrests announced on Thursday.
The Orlando Sentinel reports the network known as “La Compania,” or “The Company,” sold about 2.2 pounds of heroin each week.
A criminal complaint says the group sold up to 200 baggies of heroin to dealers for $10 each. Some of the “dealers” were undercover officers.
In August, Demings and Orlando Mayor Teresa Jacobs created a heroin task force.
During a news conference on Thursday, Demings said that between Jan. 1 and Feb. 20, the sheriff’s office has responded to 75 heroin-related overdoses. He says eight were fatal.
