Latest news with #StateAssistanceforFentanylEradication
American Military News
24-05-2025
- American Military News
19 suspects, $1.5 million in drugs nabbed in Florida fentanyl sting
ORLANDO, Fla. — A monthlong investigation into an alleged fentanyl trafficking operation nabbed 19 suspects and $1.5 million worth of drugs, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said Monday. At a press conference, Sheriff John Mina and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of 'Operation Burn Baby Burn,' which included seizing six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine along with nearly $49,000 cash and several guns. While the arrests center around alleged traffickers in Orange County, the fentanyl is believed to be sourced from California and Mexico while the cocaine came from Puerto Rico, with two suspects, Juan Carlos Oquendo and Luis Perez-Guzman, spearheading the imports. The distribution network extended into Osceola, Polk and Hillsborough counties, prompting Uthmeier's office to step in. The investigation began in September and was supported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which helped fund the takedown through the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication program, also known as SAFE. Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie said the operation cost $1 million. 'When we say we want to make Florida the safest state in the country to raise a family, that is a promise,' Uthmeier said. 'It's a promise that we are only able to keep because of these guys. We've got the best law enforcement in the country, there's no doubt about that.' Of the 19 facing drug trafficking charges, 17 have been arrested: Oquendo, 40; Perez-Guzman, 46; Kendrick Butler, 36; Jose Ayala-Rodriguez, 49; Wilfredo Serrando-Hernandez, 47; Denniz Andino Jr, 41; Edward De La Cruz-Perez, 23; McKenzie Debardeleben, 30; Anamaria Fuentes-Carrasquero, 46; Luis Gandarilla-Galarza, 28; Herman Toledo, 47; Xuxa Carmona Sanes, 35; Brian Nazario, 37; Molly Wilson, 32; Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 41; Nolan Lavery III, 32; and Jose Vega-Ortiz, 50. Valerie Multari, 39, and David Santana, 44, remain at large. All their names and faces were shown to reporters during Monday's press conference. 'Nothing makes me happier than when we look at these posters and know that our partners at the attorney general's Office of Statewide Prosecution is going to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law,' Mina said. According to the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office, 341 people in Orange County were killed by drug overdoses, with 229 related to opioids like fentanyl, in 2024 — a 30% and 37% drop compared to 2023, respectively. Fentanyl has been the biggest killer of any drug in recent decades, prompting authorities to ramp up enforcement and treatment efforts that they said prompted the decrease in deaths over recent years. The drop in overdose deaths is a nationwide trend. Local enforcement efforts include the SAFE program, created in 2023 to provide resources and technical support to local agencies combating fentanyl trafficking. In its first year, the program received $20 million in funding to assist law enforcement efforts, then got another $8 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. While the Florida Legislature continues debating its budget for the next year, FDLE Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie said the program's work will continue. 'To date, we have spent in excess of $22 million of the $28 million we've been provided,' Massie said. 'We plan on spending more in the year to come to continue to eradicate this poison from our streets.' _____ ©2025 Orlando Sentinel. Visit Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
19 suspects, $1.5 million in drugs nabbed in Florida fentanyl sting
ORLANDO, Fla. — A monthlong investigation into an alleged fentanyl trafficking operation nabbed 19 suspects and $1.5 million worth of drugs, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said Monday. At a press conference, Sheriff John Mina and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of 'Operation Burn Baby Burn,' which included seizing six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine along with nearly $49,000 cash and several guns. While the arrests center around alleged traffickers in Orange County, the fentanyl is believed to be sourced from California and Mexico while the cocaine came from Puerto Rico, with two suspects, Juan Carlos Oquendo and Luis Perez-Guzman, spearheading the imports. The distribution network extended into Osceola, Polk and Hillsborough counties, prompting Uthmeier's office to step in. The investigation began in September and was supported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which helped fund the takedown through the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication program, also known as SAFE. Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie said the operation cost $1 million. 'When we say we want to make Florida the safest state in the country to raise a family, that is a promise,' Uthmeier said. 'It's a promise that we are only able to keep because of these guys. We've got the best law enforcement in the country, there's no doubt about that.' Of the 19 facing drug trafficking charges, 17 have been arrested: Oquendo, 40; Perez-Guzman, 46; Kendrick Butler, 36; Jose Ayala-Rodriguez, 49; Wilfredo Serrando-Hernandez, 47; Denniz Andino Jr, 41; Edward De La Cruz-Perez, 23; McKenzie Debardeleben, 30; Anamaria Fuentes-Carrasquero, 46; Luis Gandarilla-Galarza, 28; Herman Toledo, 47; Xuxa Carmona Sanes, 35; Brian Nazario, 37; Molly Wilson, 32; Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 41; Nolan Lavery III, 32; and Jose Vega-Ortiz, 50. Valerie Multari, 39, and David Santana, 44, remain at large. All their names and faces were shown to reporters during Monday's press conference. 'Nothing makes me happier than when we look at these posters and know that our partners at the attorney general's Office of Statewide Prosecution is going to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law,' Mina said. According to the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office, 341 people in Orange County were killed by drug overdoses, with 229 related to opioids like fentanyl, in 2024 — a 30% and 37% drop compared to 2023, respectively. Fentanyl has been the biggest killer of any drug in recent decades, prompting authorities to ramp up enforcement and treatment efforts that they said prompted the decrease in deaths over recent years. The drop in overdose deaths is a nationwide trend. Local enforcement efforts include the SAFE program, created in 2023 to provide resources and technical support to local agencies combating fentanyl trafficking. In its first year, the program received $20 million in funding to assist law enforcement efforts, then got another $8 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. While the Florida Legislature continues debating its budget for the next year, FDLE Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie said the program's work will continue. 'To date, we have spent in excess of $22 million of the $28 million we've been provided,' Massie said. 'We plan on spending more in the year to come to continue to eradicate this poison from our streets.' _____
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
19 suspects, $1.5 million in drugs nabbed in Orange County fentanyl sting
A monthlong investigation into an alleged fentanyl trafficking operation nabbed 19 suspects and $1.5 million worth of drugs, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said Monday. At a press conference, Sheriff John Mina and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of 'Operation Burn Baby Burn,' which included seizing six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine along with nearly $49,000 cash and several guns. While the arrests center around alleged traffickers in Orange County, the fentanyl is believed to be sourced from California and Mexico while the cocaine came from Puerto Rico, with two suspects, Juan Carlos Oquendo and Luis Perez-Guzman, spearheading the imports. The distribution network extended into Osceola, Polk and Hillsborough counties, prompting Uthmeier's office to step in. The investigation began in September and was supported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which helped fund the takedown through the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication program, also known as SAFE. Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie said the operation cost $1 million. 'When we say we want to make Florida the safest state in the country to raise a family, that is a promise,' Uthmeier said. 'It's a promise that we are only able to keep because of these guys. We've got the best law enforcement in the country, there's no doubt about that.' Of the 19 facing drug trafficking charges, 17 have been arrested: Oquendo, 40; Perez-Guzman, 46; Kendrick Butler, 36; Jose Ayala-Rodriguez, 49; Wilfredo Serrando-Hernandez, 47; Denniz Andino Jr, 41; Edward De La Cruz-Perez, 23; McKenzie Debardeleben, 30; Anamaria Fuentes-Carrasquero, 46; Luis Gandarilla-Galarza, 28; Herman Toledo, 47; Xuxa Carmona Sanes, 35; Brian Nazario, 37; Molly Wilson, 32; Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 41; Nolan Lavery III, 32; and Jose Vega-Ortiz, 50. Valerie Multari, 39, and David Santana, 44, remain at large. All their names and faces were shown to reporters during Monday's press conference. 'Nothing makes me happier than when we look at these posters and know that our partners at the attorney general's Office of Statewide Prosecution is going to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law,' Mina said. According to the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's Office, 341 people in Orange County were killed by drug overdoses, with 229 related to opioids like fentanyl, in 2024 — a 30% and 37% drop compared to 2023, respectively. Fentanyl has been the biggest killer of any drug in recent decades, prompting authorities to ramp up enforcement and treatment efforts that they said prompted the decrease in deaths over recent years. The drop in overdose deaths is a nationwide trend. Local enforcement efforts include the SAFE program, created in 2023 to provide resources and technical support to local agencies combating fentanyl trafficking. In its first year, the program received $20 million in funding to assist law enforcement efforts, then got another $8 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. While the Florida Legislature continues debating its budget for the next year, FDLE Assistant Commissioner Lee Massie said the program's work will continue. 'To date, we have spent in excess of $22 million of the $28 million we've been provided,' Massie said. 'We plan on spending more in the year to come to continue to eradicate this poison from our streets.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
17 arrested in Florida drug trafficking operation; Fentanyl and cocaine worth $1.5M seized
The Brief A major drug trafficking organization operating across multiple Florida counties has been dismantled as part of "Operation Burn Baby Burn." Authorities said 17 people were arrested on drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. The operation resulted in the seizure of six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine, which have a street value of over $1.5 million. Law enforcement also seized nine firearms and $50,000 in cash. ORLANDO, Fla. - A drug trafficking organization that imported pounds of fentanyl from Mexico and California, and cocaine from Puerto Rico, has been dismantled following a multi-county investigation in Florida, authorities said. Orange County Sheriff John Mina made the announcement during a joint news conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on Monday morning. What we know In September 2024, the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched a multi-jurisdictional investigation called "Operation Burn Baby Burn" into a drug trafficking organization that spanned Orange, Polk, Osceola, and Hillsborough counties. The investigation revealed that the leaders of the organization were importing fentanyl from California and Mexico, and cocaine from Puerto Rico. A total of six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine were recovered during the operation, with Sheriff Mina stating the drugs have a street value of over $1.5 million — and Attorney General Uthmeier noting that the amount of fentanyl seized is enough to kill 1.3 million people. Law enforcement also seized nine firearms and $50,000 in cash. A total of 17 people have been arrested and are facing charges of trafficking fentanyl, trafficking cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic both substances, Sheriff Mina said. Deputies are looking for two people. Each charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence ranging from 15-25 years, officials said. What they're saying Sheriff Mina said the operation was a collaborative effort between the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the FDLE, and statewide prosecutors from the Attorney General's Office. "But the benefit of this investigation is that these folks will not be in our community putting these deadly drugs here in Orange County or anywhere else," Mina said. "And I will say that these investigations save lives," he added. "Florida is seeing record low crime numbers across the state, and it's because we back our law enforcement and we put people away who do harm to our communities," Uthmeier said. Dig deeper Officials said the investigation was made possible through Florida's State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program, which was established in 2023, to conduct investigations designed to combat illegal fentanyl activity. The grant program offers reimbursement for approved fentanyl-related investigations, covering expenses such as overtime, travel, supplies, equipment, contractual services, training, and other case-related costs, according to the FDLE's website. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared during a news conference hosted by Orange County Sheriff John Mina, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Deputy Commissioner Vaden "Shane" Pollard in Orlando on May 19, 2025.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
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. Cruise passengers issued warning while passing through pirate hot spot 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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
