A major, multi-county drug trafficking operation has been dismantled following a successful six-month investigation nicknamed “Operation Slow N Go,” Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday.
The coordinated effort resulted in five arrests, the seizure of a significant cache of narcotics—including deadly fentanyl and xylazine—and multiple firearms, delivering a powerful blow to the illegal drug trade across South Florida and into Virginia.
The ring, which spanned across seven Florida counties and into Suffolk County, Virginia, was engaged in the large-scale trafficking of a dangerous cocktail of substances, including cocaine, fentanyl, xylazine, psilocybin, marijuana, methamphetamine, testosterone, alprazolam, and other pharmaceutical pills.
Drug and Weapon Haul
Investigators seized 2,262 grams of narcotics, 500 pharmaceutical pills, six handguns, and several automatic rifles. The investigation also uncovered that two of the traffickers were brazenly using a local Palm Beach County flea market as a front to distribute drugs throughout South Florida.
Attorney General James Uthmeier minced no words regarding the gravity of the takedown. “If anyone traffics dangerous drugs like fentanyl into Florida, expect our Office of Statewide Prosecution to throw the book at you,” he stated. “This case is further proof that Florida has the best sheriffs in the nation, and thanks to their partnership, we have fewer criminals on the street and less fentanyl in our communities.”
The massive undertaking was spearheaded by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution. It involved extensive cooperation from the DEA, FDLE, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Palm Beach Police Department.
“This unprecedented collaboration amongst these agencies is what helped remove these criminals from our streets,” said West Palm Beach Police Department Assistant Chief Al Musco, underscoring the inter-agency success.
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw emphasized the commitment to safety: “Those who choose to profit from addiction should know they cannot hide in our community. We will aggressively pursue anyone trafficking fentanyl and other deadly substances.”
The Charges
Five individuals have been arrested and charged, with two outstanding warrants indicating more arrests are imminent. The primary defendant, Gary Devon West, faces a slew of serious charges, including Conspiracy to commit racketeering and multiple counts of Trafficking in fentanyl and methamphetamine.
The message from law enforcement remains clear: jurisdictional lines will not protect drug criminals. “We have broken down the barriers of the jurisdictional boundaries to protect the residents of Florida,” asserted Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek.
READ: Florida Sen. Rick Scott’s ‘SAFE KIDS Act’ To Stop Adversary Baby Trafficking
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