NEWBURGH – Police and Orange County
law enforcement officials say the drug epidemic has taken another ugly
turn, with what District Attorney David Hoovler called “predators”
preying an addicts coming out of a rehab clinic in Newburgh.
DA Hoovler announces arrests
at Newburgh news conference
“Operation Clinically Addicted” began in March 2015 and continued
through August 2015. The operation utilized undercover police officers
from the Orange County Drug Task Force to purchase the illicit drugs outside
the Center for Recovery on Commercial Place.
“It is hard enough for those addicted to opiates to break the cycle
of addiction without having people hawking drugs to them where they are
seeking treatment,” said Hoovler.
Several of those arrested are first-time offenders who will be offered
the opportunity to enter a rehabilitation program. The alternative would
be jail, said the DA.
The suspects came from across Orange County, with one from Sullivan County
and one from the Bronx.
