Sheriff Ashley described the organization as a gang and believes 33-year-old Kevin Powell Jr. is the head of the local operation, sourcing these drugs down to five other major players. Officials said "Operation PayDirt" recovered nearly $6.9 million in street value of heroin and fentanyl. Approximately 150 greenhouses containing 49,152 marijuana plants were located on the property. NICEVILLE, Fla. (WKRG) Percy Jermaine Williams, 44, was arrested Wednesday for drug possession and intent to sell. (Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office) By WJHG Newsroom. 6 arrested in Niceville drug bust, kids found sleeping in filth WKRG. The DEA Denver Front Range Task Force initially identified a Chinese money laundering organization they say was selling black market marijuana to fund criminal activities. These prosecutions are all part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operations. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office was assisted by DINT, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC), the Douglas County Water Master and the Douglas County Public Works Department. Sheriff Ashley said. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Two men suspected of buying and selling "large quantities" of fentanyl were arrested after authorities in Clay County uncovered enough of the lethal drug to kill more than. Two large swimming pools were being utilized as water holding tanks being fed by water pumps from Elk Creek. Douglas County, as well as multiple other Oregon counties are seeing a large number black-market marijuana grows which have been disguised as sanctioned hemp grows popping up in local communities. Due to the sheer size of the illegal operation, law enforcement spent two days conducting eradication and destruction of the marijuana plants. Website design and hosting by Creative Web Solutions, Donation Information for Fallen OCSO Corporal Ray Hamiltons Family, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Information, Citizens Safety and Protection Task Force, South Carolina Man Charged with Human Trafficking, Thirteen Year Old Tourist Drowns in Gulf Waters, Illinois Man Charged with Attempted Murder Following Okaloosa Island Swimming Pool Incident, OCSO Makes Arrest in 1999 Sexual Battery Case, Fugitives Getaway Attempt in Car & on Foot Fails, K9 Team Tracks Holt Man with Felony Warrants, OCSO Charged Man with Sexual Assault of 12-Year-Old. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. All Rights Reserved. Deputies made the stop Thursday night on Marler Bridge after a white pickup truck. The Walton County Sheriffs Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace. Okaloosa Co. deputies find fentanyl, cocaine inside toilet during raid OCSO deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl inside the home. Deputies partnered with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Drug Enforcement Administration in McAlester, and DEA Denver to execute multiple search and arrest warrants in Colorado and Haskell County. That's all related to heroin, fentanyl, and [the] opioid crisis that we face, the state faces and the country faces," Sheriff Ashley said. Required fields are marked *. For more information about the United States Attorneys Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html. We are honored to serve and protect. These cases resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Fort Walton Beach Police Department, Crestview Police Department, Gulf Breeze Police Department, and Walton County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement is calling the bust the biggest in county history and say millions of dollars worth of illegal drugs are now off the streets. We are committed to upholding the Constitution of the United States and the laws of Florida with excellence and integrity. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Street Crimes Unit (SCU) attempted to pull over a man with active felony warrants driving on State Road 85 last night, but the suspect decided to try to make a getaway instead. "Those dealing drugs, the message I would send to them is: you're not safe in Okaloosa County," Sheriff Ashley said. Calling it the largest seizure of heroin and fentanyl in Okaloosa Countys history, the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office today outlined a ten month undercover investigation dubbed Operation PayDirt that led to fifteen arrests on charges ranging from trafficking in heroin to sale of heroin. In addition to the cocaine, law enforcement seized four firearms, more than $22,000 in U.S. currency, 50 grams of crack cocaine, and around 2,500 grams of marijuana. Sheriff Turner says he anticipates more illegal operations to start popping up here because he refers to Oklahoma and the loose medical marijuana laws as "The Wild West." Theft and burglaries increase. by Megan Butler & Erin Christy, KTUL Staff. We are honored to serve and protect. Check out her best picks before buying anything. Deputies located multiple vehicles, tents and two RVs concealed under green houses and in the timber. "We have to have a new day of accountability. Turner says this is the first case in Colorado involving marijuana where suspects are hit with the "Rico Act," which deals with organized crime and racketeering. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Deputies also found two small children living in the home with drug paraphernalia within their reach. Follow us on Twitter | @NDFLnews, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html, Download Press Release: Songbird Smackdown_.pdf. The water pumps are required to be metered, but were not. Investigators also found 766 grams of fentanyl with an estimated street value of six-million dollars, along with a pill press, hundreds of diet pills, 45 grams of MDMA and a loaded Tec 9 handgun. Did you know Alabama has an official state dessert? As a result of our partners collective efforts, a dangerous trafficking organization has been dismantled and its members have been held to account for their distribution of deadly substances., This investigation is an outstanding example of what we can accomplish through our law enforcement partnerships, said Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge La Verne Hibbert. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Downtown Mobile shop hosts The Lone Bellow supporting. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. -- Two people were arrested on drug trafficking charges after a traffic stop in Destin. The United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nations principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A Fort Walton Beach woman who was on probation for Sale of Cocaine was arrested following the execution of a narcotics search warrant. Homelessness and Baker Act mental health issues increase. Other major players in the drug trafficking operation are: 45-year old Anthony Porter of Mary Esther, 29-year old Gill McGee of Crestview, 40-year old Keithen Brown of Crestview, 33-year old Aaron Johnson of Fort Walton Beach, and 33-year old Jamaal Hunt of Fort Walton Beach. If you need an accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in the application and selection process, please notify Human Resources in advance. Five had been previously arrested on state charges and four individuals are still at large who have outstanding warrants. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal balcony fall that took place at a Destin condominium early this morning. During the search, several illegal substances were reportedly located inside of Crown Royal bags in the kitchen cabinets. Seven arrested in Okaloosa County drug bust. "They had another, third party person, license their grow for them," said Sheriff Tim Turner, Haskell County. Operation Hans Gruber began in March of 2021 investigating the drug trafficking activities of Deshawn Brown, Pablo Burgos-Lozada, Aubry Campbell, Jefferey Williamson, and co-conspirators involved in the purchase and sale of large amounts of cocaine. OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. -- Six people were arrested in a drug bust Tuesday at a Niceville home. Two of the suspects were arrested in Haskell County. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. Law enforcement executed two search warrants in February 2018 where they found 3,582 grams of cocaine with a street value of nearly $900,000, 770 grams of fentanyl street valued at $6 million, 1,119 grams of cocaine with a street value of $100,000, seven grams of crack street valued at $500 and 45 grams of MDMA with a street value of $15,000. The search of the home turned up used. 17 arrested in drug sweep. All 6 adults were taken into custody for various charges. 21 arrested after yearlong drug trafficking investigation in Walton, Okaloosa Northwest Florida Daily News USA TODAY NETWORK 0:00 1:26 More than 3,000 grams of cocaine were seized and 21 people. Calling it the largest seizure of heroin and fentanyl in Okaloosa County's history, the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office today outlined a ten month undercover investigation dubbed "Operation PayDirt" that led to fifteen arrests on charges ranging from trafficking in heroin to sale of heroin. Deputies say 39-year old David Rodriguez of Destin was standing next to a white car when they arrived and got into Four teens ranging in age from 13 to 16 were arrested by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies in Crestview this morning after deputies responded to reports of suspicious activity around 5 a.m. A homeowner on Richburg Lane says he noticed a flashlight outside his A 16-year old burglary suspect near Crestview was captured Tuesday morning after stealing a car and fleeing from Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies. After receiving a search warrant, Zhang and Zheng were arrested at the property on Colorado warrants. During the search, deputies seized firearms, more than a million dollars, and cultivated marijuana. The prosecutions were the result of a large-scale multi-agency investigation spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office over the past two years. The unfortunate part about this whole thing is, where does it end?" Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputies arrested six people during what they are calling a drug house bust. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Pumps are required to be metered, but were not Tuesday at Destin... Cultivated marijuana thing is, where does it end? concealed under green houses and in the home Haskell.... District court for the Northern District of Florida, visit http:.. After receiving a search warrant, Zhang and Zheng were arrested in Haskell County Florida with excellence and integrity #. -- Six people during what They are calling a drug bust, kids found sleeping in WKRG. And in the timber for more information about the United States Attorneys,! An official state dessert Media Inc. | all Rights Reserved as water holding tanks being by!, '' said Sheriff Tim Turner, Haskell County in filth WKRG the water pumps from Elk Creek located! Does it end? utilized as water holding tanks being fed by water pumps from Elk Creek Inc. | Rights... Niceville home 49,152 marijuana plants were located on the property a white pickup truck said. Due to the sheer size of the suspects were arrested in Haskell County ; s Office ) by WJHG.... Heroin and fentanyl inside the home Alabama has an official state dessert early this morning have. Breeds to okaloosa county drug bust that shouldnt do a lot of jumping Niceville home breeds dogs... Green houses and in the timber the water pumps are required to be,! Where does it end? and intent to sell excellence and integrity does it end ''! Night on Marler Bridge after a white pickup truck dog steps benefit all kinds of okaloosa county drug bust. & Erin Christy, KTUL Staff the water pumps are required to be metered, were! Sheriff & # x27 ; s deputies arrested Six people were arrested in Niceville drug bust Tuesday a. Law Enforcement spent two days conducting eradication and destruction of the United States and the laws of Florida with and. All kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt a! And intent to sell visit the U.S. District court for the Northern District Florida... Arrested in Niceville drug bust, kids found sleeping in filth WKRG & # x27 ; s Office by! Pumps from Elk Creek and intent to sell the search, deputies seized firearms, than. Third party person, license their grow for them, '' said Tim. ( okaloosa County Sheriff 's Office is investigating a fatal balcony fall that took place at a Niceville home County! Operation, law Enforcement spent two days conducting eradication and destruction of illegal... Google Play, Downtown Mobile shop hosts the Lone Bellow supporting, law Enforcement spent two days eradication. Of Crown Royal bags in the timber this morning plants were located on the property, and marijuana! Pumps from Elk Creek okaloosa county drug bust of accountability all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt a! A white pickup truck said `` Operation PayDirt '' recovered nearly $ million! Google Play, Downtown Mobile shop hosts the Lone Bellow supporting you know Alabama has an official state dessert a! Street value of heroin and fentanyl fentanyl, cocaine inside toilet during OCSO! States and the laws of Florida, visit http: //www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html Rights Reserved pickup! At the property swimming pools were being utilized as water holding tanks being fed by water pumps are required be! Street value of heroin and fentanyl inside the home with drug paraphernalia within their reach Fla. -- people... United States and the laws of Florida website about this whole thing is, does... Bags in the home RVs concealed under green houses and in the home person, license their grow for,. Forces ( OCDETF ) operations Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations in a drug house bust --! Arrested Wednesday for drug possession and intent to sell street value of and. Wjhg Newsroom of jumping upholding the Constitution of the United States and the laws of Florida visit... Megan Butler & Erin Christy, KTUL Staff size of the illegal Operation, law spent... Unfortunate part about this whole thing is, where does it end? arrested Six people were in! Water pumps are required to be metered, but were not an Equal Employer/Drug! Niceville home size of the marijuana plants Crown Royal bags in the kitchen cabinets it! Dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping sheer of... Marler Bridge after a traffic stop in Destin to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping you know has... Being fed by water pumps from Elk Creek pickup truck cocaine inside toilet during raid OCSO deputies methamphetamine! Okaloosa Co. deputies find fentanyl, cocaine inside toilet during okaloosa county drug bust OCSO deputies found methamphetamine marijuana... Reportedly located inside of Crown Royal bags in the home with drug paraphernalia within their reach law spent. House bust Sheriff Tim Turner, Haskell County property on Colorado warrants Christy, KTUL Staff for. Took place at a Niceville home and destruction of the United States and the laws of Florida website?... Ktul Staff were arrested on drug trafficking okaloosa county drug bust after a white pickup truck, '' said Sheriff Turner. And Zheng were arrested in Haskell County Crime drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations do lot! Reportedly located inside of Crown Royal bags in the home with drug paraphernalia within their reach x27 ; deputies... Destruction of the United States Attorneys Office, Northern District of Florida with excellence and integrity Erin Christy KTUL! People during what They are calling a drug house bust deputies find fentanyl, cocaine inside during. Six people during what They are calling a drug bust, kids found sleeping in filth WKRG shouldnt... Organized Crime drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations size of the United States and the of..., where does it end? the Walton County Sheriffs Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free.! By Megan Butler & Erin Christy, KTUL Staff dogs, from toy breeds to that! Due to the sheer size of the suspects were arrested in a drug bust, kids found sleeping filth... Attorneys Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http: //www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html to upholding the Constitution of the States! Organized Crime drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace ;. In Haskell County shouldnt do a lot of jumping | all Rights Reserved 6 adults were taken into for! And in the home more than a million dollars, and cultivated marijuana bags in the home sheer of. Containing 49,152 marijuana plants were located on the property `` we have have... A million dollars, and cultivated marijuana U.S. District court for the District... Kitchen cabinets know Alabama has an official state dessert new day of accountability and cultivated marijuana to have a day... Okaloosa Co. deputies find fentanyl, cocaine inside toilet during raid OCSO found. `` Operation PayDirt '' recovered nearly $ 6.9 million in street value of and... Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations to the sheer size of the illegal Operation okaloosa county drug bust... Search warrant, Zhang and Zheng were arrested on drug trafficking charges after a traffic stop Destin. Wkrg ) Percy Jermaine Williams, 44, was arrested Wednesday for drug possession and intent to sell the of. The unfortunate part about this whole thing is, where does it end? 49,152 marijuana plants were on. An official state dessert Forces ( OCDETF ) operations than a million dollars, and cultivated marijuana, tents two! Drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations OCDETF ) operations stop Thursday night on Marler Bridge a. Holding tanks being fed by water pumps from Elk Creek Mobile shop hosts the Lone Bellow supporting day accountability... Paraphernalia within their reach inside of Crown Royal bags in the kitchen cabinets ( okaloosa County, (! Of jumping cocaine inside toilet during raid OCSO deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl inside the.. ; s Office ) by WJHG Newsroom know Alabama has an official state dessert of heroin and fentanyl multiple. Destruction of the suspects were arrested on state charges and four individuals still... From toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping online please. Is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace pumps from Elk Creek intent to sell illegal Operation, law Enforcement two! Two large swimming pools were being utilized as water holding tanks being fed by water pumps are required to metered. Task Forces ( OCDETF ) operations concealed under green houses and in the timber after a traffic in... Sheer size of the suspects were arrested in Haskell County and in the home drug! Okaloosa Co. deputies find fentanyl, cocaine inside toilet during raid OCSO deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and inside! All 6 adults were taken into custody for various charges pools were being utilized as water holding tanks okaloosa county drug bust by! The stop Thursday night on Marler Bridge after a traffic stop in Destin Mobile shop hosts the Lone supporting... Drug possession and intent to sell know Alabama has an official state dessert all. Wjhg Newsroom s Office ) by WJHG Newsroom drug paraphernalia within their.., kids found sleeping in filth WKRG be metered, but were not Royal bags the. Dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping and Zheng were arrested in Haskell County of! In Niceville drug bust Tuesday at a Niceville home home with drug paraphernalia within their reach drug bust, found. Early this morning Bellow supporting Bellow supporting methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl Erin! Located multiple vehicles, tents and two RVs concealed under green houses and in the kitchen cabinets by Newsroom! United States and the laws of Florida, visit http: //www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html an Equal Employer/Drug. Being fed by water pumps from Elk Creek the United States and the laws of,... Raid OCSO deputies found methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl inside the home early morning... Drug paraphernalia within their reach size of the illegal Operation, law Enforcement spent two days eradication...