Sheriff announces arrest in ‘largest fentanyl bust in Manatee County history'
BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — The Manatee County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a prominent drug dealer in a news conference on Tuesday, calling the operation 'the largest fentanyl bust in Manatee County history.'
Undercover detectives began looking into potential fentanyl sales at an address on 6th Street West in Bradenton last November. They identified Maurice Baxter, 23, as one of the dealers, according to MCSO.
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Detectives connected Baxter to a drug trafficking operation that was already under investigation. Using funds from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication program, detectives purchased fentanyl and later obtained warrants to search the residence and arrest Baxter.
The warrant was executed on March 13, but Baxter was nowhere to be found. He remains at large, while the home's occupant, Tron Williams, 40, was arrested.
In Williams' bedroom, deputies found the following items, according to MCSO:
12.3 kilograms of fentanyl (including liquid pharmaceutical-grade citrate)
1 kilogram of cocaine
1 kilogram of MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
273 grams of methamphetamine
822 grams of marijuana
29.4 grams of Adderall
'This is the most significant fentanyl seizure in Manatee County history, and our community and neighboring counties are safer because of it,' Sheriff Rick Wells said.
Deputies also seized firearms, 'including an FN Five-seven handgun, nicknamed 'the cop killer' because its ammunition can penetrate certain types of soft body armor,' MCSO said, adding that over 1,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
Williams was charged with trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in cocaine, and trafficking in MDMA. He was being held in the Manatee County Jail without bond on Tuesday.
Anyone with information on Baxter's whereabouts is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff's Office at (941) 747-3011. To remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward, contact Manatee County Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS or visit ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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