CITRUS COUNTY, Fla . – A several-months-long covert investigation conducted by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) resulted in the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and the arrest of 29-year-old James Junior Lauture, 31-year-old Jesse Stuart Tanis, and 23-year-old Megan Elaine Ames.
CCSO’s Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) received information that Lauture was involved in the sale and delivery of methamphetamine and fentanyl within Citrus County.
Through investigative means, detectives determined that Lauture was indeed trafficking large quantities of these illicit substances within the county, and established probable cause for a search of his residence.
On Friday, October 13th, 2023, TIU detectives executed a narcotics search warrant at his home located at 11830 North Gatlen Avenue in Dunnellon.
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Approximately 1,214.7 grams (2.68 pounds) of methamphetamine, 162.51 grams of fentanyl, 6.61 grams of cocaine, 325.2 grams of cannabis, 20.5 oxycodone pills, a Jennings 9mm pistol, multiple rounds of ammunition, multiple items of paraphernalia, and $13,786.00 in United States currency were seized from the residence.
“Narcotics investigations, especially that of a larger scale operation, can be time-consuming and require hours of investigation in order to secure a successful outcome,” said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. “Thanks to the efforts of the Tactical Impact Unit, we were able to take a significant amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine off our streets – in fact, enough fentanyl was seized during this investigation to kill approximately 81,300 adults. Illicit drugs and those who deal in these dangerous substances have no place in our community.”
Lauture, an eleven-time convicted felon, was arrested for:
- Trafficking Methamphetamine over 200 grams
- Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 grams
- 3 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
- Rent/Lease/Own a Structure for Drug Trafficking
- Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell
- Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell and Trafficking Methamphetamine
- He is being held on a total bond of $295,000 per the warrant and bond schedule.
Tanis, a one-time convicted felon, was arrested for:
- Warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell
- He is being held on a total bond of $5,000 per the warrant schedule.
Ames was arrested for:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
She is being held on a total bond of $2,000 per the bond schedule.
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