17 arrested in Florida drug trafficking operation; Fentanyl and cocaine value $1.5M seized

ORLANDO, Fla. – A drug trafficking group that imported kilos of fentanyl from Mexico and California, and cocaine from Puerto Rico, has been dismantled following a multi-county investigation in Florida, authorities mentioned.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina made the announcement throughout a joint information convention with Florida Legal professional Basic James Uthmeier and the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement (FDLE) on Monday morning. 

‘Operation Burn Child Burn’ 

What we all know:

In September 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace and the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement launched a multi-jurisdictional investigation referred to as “Operation Burn Child Burn” right into a drug trafficking group that spanned Orange, Polk, Osceola, and Hillsborough counties.

The investigation revealed that the leaders of the group have been importing fentanyl from California and Mexico, and cocaine from Puerto Rico. 

(Credit score: Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace)

A complete of six kilos of fentanyl and 4 kilos of cocaine have been recovered through the operation, with Sheriff Mina stating the medicine have a avenue worth of over $1.5 million — and Legal professional Basic Uthmeier noting that the quantity of fentanyl seized is sufficient to kill 1.3 million folks.

Regulation enforcement additionally seized 9 firearms and $50,000 in money. 

Who’re the suspects?

A complete of 17 folks have been arrested and are going through expenses of trafficking fentanyl, trafficking cocaine, and conspiracy to visitors each substances, Sheriff Mina mentioned. Deputies are in search of two folks.

Every cost carries a compulsory minimal sentence starting from 15-25 years, officers mentioned. 

‘These investigations save lives’

What they’re saying:

Sheriff Mina mentioned the operation was a collaborative effort between the Orange County Sheriff’s Workplace, the FDLE, and statewide prosecutors from the Legal professional Basic’s Workplace. 

“However the good thing about this investigation is that these people won’t be in our group placing these lethal medicine right here in Orange County or anyplace else,” Mina mentioned. “And I’ll say that these investigations save lives,” he added. 

“Florida is seeing document low crime numbers throughout the state, and it is as a result of we again our regulation enforcement and we put folks away who do hurt to our communities,” Uthmeier mentioned.

What’s the SAFE program?

Dig deeper:

Officers mentioned the investigation was made potential via Florida’s State Help for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program, which was established in 2023, to conduct investigations designed to fight unlawful fentanyl exercise.

The grant program affords reimbursement for authorized fentanyl-related investigations, masking bills resembling additional time, journey, provides, tools, contractual companies, coaching, and different case-related prices, in keeping with the FDLE’s web site. 

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