'Operation Snowplow' nets dozens in heroin bust

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Heroin deaths in Orlando reached a critical high this past summer. Local law enforcement say they have come together to target those behind it. 

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, along with the Orange County mayor, the Orlando Police Department, and federal agents are working together on a task force to tackle the problem.  More than a dozen accused drug dealers were recently arrested, but a four-month investigation has culminated in the arrest of 223 total offenders. 

"Operation Snowplow" was launched in September and ended on Thursday, when 12 search warrants were served and over 8.4 kilos of drugs were sized with a street value $640,000.   With fewer pain pills on the street, many communities are seeing an increase in heroin use which is a cheaper alternative.  The task force is taking a four-prong approach to address the heroin problem:  prevention and awareness of the dangers of heroin abuse; treatment of drug addicts; arrests; and prosecution.

Detectives say there are still 13 or 14 outstanding arrest warrants.