Massive drug trafficking network dismantled in central Florida with help from state-funded SAFE Grant program

Tallahassee, Florida – In a significant victory against the illegal drug trade, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the takedown of a large-scale drug trafficking organization operating in Central Florida. The multi-agency operation resulted in the arrest of 19 individuals who were allegedly distributing fentanyl and cocaine throughout the region. The charges brought forth by the Office of Statewide Prosecution include trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic in both substances.

“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,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “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.”

The results of this investigation are staggering. Authorities seized approximately six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1.5 million. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) led the joint investigation, which was significantly aided by the state’s SAFE Grant Program.

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The SAFE (State Assistance for Fentanyl Enforcement) grant initiative is designed to help local law enforcement conduct investigations that target the growing threat of fentanyl. The program reimburses agencies for costs associated with approved operations focused on combating fentanyl-related crimes. Since its launch, the SAFE Grant Program has helped fund efforts leading to more than 1,500 arrests and the removal of over 170 kilograms of fentanyl and more than 57,000 fentanyl pills from Florida communities.

The success of this latest operation reflects how essential the program has become in statewide efforts to tackle opioid-related crime. According to officials, without the SAFE Grant funding, the scale and coordination required for this takedown might not have been possible.

At a press conference in Orlando, FDLE Assistant Commissioner Lee Massey and Orange County Sheriff John Mina joined Attorney General Uthmeier in detailing the months-long investigation. Sheriff Mina emphasized the teamwork involved, noting the cooperation between state and local agencies as a model for future enforcement actions.

The individuals arrested in this operation 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.

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Two suspects remain at large: David Santana and Valerie Multari. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate and apprehend them. The Office of Statewide Prosecution has assigned Assistant Statewide Prosecutor David Gillespie to lead the legal case against the group.

This operation is another chapter in Florida’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking, especially as fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths across the nation. Officials remain committed to removing these deadly substances from the streets and ensuring that those who traffic them face justice.

For more information about the SAFE Grant Program and ongoing efforts to address the opioid crisis, residents can visit the Florida Attorney General’s website.