A massive drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl throughout Central Florida has been dismantled, with Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution charging 19 individuals in connection with the operation.
The takedown was announced this morning at a press conference in Orlando, attended by Attorney General Uthmeier, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Assistant Commissioner Lee Massey, and Orange County Sheriff John Mina.
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The charges against the defendants include trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.
“There are swift consequences for those who commit crimes in Florida, and we will support law enforcement in the fight to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets,” stated Attorney General James Uthmeier. He further emphasized the critical role of the Special Agent Funding for Enforcement (SAFE) Grant program in the success of the operation. “This operation was successful due to the SAFE Grant program, which provides additional state funding to local law enforcement to conduct investigations and combat illicit fentanyl activity. These operations save lives, and SAFE Grants are vital to these efforts.”
A joint investigation by the FDLE and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) revealed the 19 individuals were actively involved in selling fentanyl and cocaine across the Central Florida region. Authorities successfully seized a significant quantity of narcotics during the operation, including six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine, with an estimated total street value of $1.5 million.
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The operation received crucial financial support from Florida’s SAFE grant program, which assists local law enforcement agencies in combating illicit fentanyl activity by reimbursing approved investigative costs.
According to the Attorney General’s office, the SAFE Grant Program has yielded significant results in the past year, leading to over 1,500 arrests and the seizure of more than 170 kilograms of fentanyl and over 57,000 fentanyl pills statewide.
Authorities have successfully apprehended 17 of the 19 individuals charged. Those arrested include: Juan Carlos Oquendo, Luis Perez Guzman, Kendrick Butler, Jose Rodriguez, Wilfredo Hernandez, Denniz Andino, Jr., Edward De La Cruz Perez, McKenzie Debardeleben, Anamaria Carrasquero, Luis Galarza, Herman Toledo, Xuxa Sanes, Brian Nazario, Molly Wilson, Juan Gonzalez, Nolan Lavery, III, and Jose Ortiz.
Law enforcement officials are currently seeking the remaining two suspects: David Santana and Valerie Multari.
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