Florida prosecutor seeks to clear records of people charged with buying police-made crack in 1980s

Summary

Broward County State Attorney Harold F. Pryor plans to vacate up to 2,600 convictions tied to a controversial 1988-1990 sting operation in which deputies sold crack cocaine manufactured by the sheriff's office.

The Florida Supreme Court ruled in 1993 that such practices violated due process, but many convictions remain on record.

Some individuals faced harsher penalties for buying drugs near schools.

Pryor, supported by Sheriff Gregory Tony, aims to right this injustice and assist affected individuals in sealing or expunging their records.