Attorney General James Uthmeier announces major arrests in South Florida as Operation Trackside dismantles a large scale drug trafficking network

Tallahassee, Florida – In a sweeping crackdown on drug trafficking in South Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrests of multiple individuals connected to a large-scale narcotics operation spanning Palm Beach and Broward counties. The investigation, dubbed Operation Trackside, uncovered the trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone, leading to the seizure of over five kilograms of narcotics, $452,026 in cash, firearms, vehicles, and even a boat.

“Drug traffickers who push poison like cocaine and fentanyl into our communities are profiting off the death of Floridians,” Uthmeier said. “In Florida, the consequences are simple—if you buy or sell illicit drugs, our Statewide Prosecutors will ensure you spend a long time behind bars.”

The operation represents the culmination of a 14-month investigation led by the Boynton Beach Police Department in collaboration with a wide array of law enforcement partners. Agencies involved included the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Boca Raton Police Department, Delray Beach Police Department, West Palm Beach Police Department, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Detectives obtained seventeen search warrants over the course of the investigation, and on September 3, 2025, law enforcement officers executed fifteen of these warrants simultaneously. The coordinated raids led to the seizure of six handguns, two semi-automatic rifles, eleven vehicles, one boat, and 5,027 grams of narcotics, including fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone. Law enforcement also confiscated $452,026 in cash, a testament to the operation’s scale and the lucrative nature of the trafficking network.

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The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is now pursuing charges against two dozen individuals involved in the trafficking organization. Of these, seventeen face conspiracy to traffic cocaine, while others are charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking oxycodone, solicitation to deliver controlled substances, and related offenses. Authorities note that five arrests are still outstanding, indicating that the investigation remains active.

Key defendants include:

• Garett Deshawn Sutton Jr. – Trafficking in Fentanyl (three felony charges), Trafficking in Cocaine (two felony charges), Criminal Conspiracy (one felony charge)
• Antonio Robinson – Trafficking in Cocaine (eight felony charges), Conspiracy to Traffic Controlled Substance (two felony charges), Trafficking in Oxycodone (one felony charge)
• Kira Ezra Jones II – Trafficking in Fentanyl (two felony charges), Trafficking in Cocaine (one felony charge), Criminal Conspiracy (one felony charge)
• Tarik Anthony Jarrett – Trafficking in Cocaine (four felony charges), Conspiracy to Traffic Controlled Substance (two felony charges)
• Ion Miksa – Obstruction of Justice/Tampering (one felony charge), Purchase Controlled Substance (six felony charges)

Other individuals charged include Darnel Durand Manuel, Nicholas Matheney, Michael Vantez Hunter Jr., James Edward Anderson, Fred Ellis Robinson, Amber Micara Greermoore, Carlton Van Potts, Timothy Daniels, Kira Ezra Jones, Alberto Cruz Jr., Christopher Daniel Jordan, Hayward McQueen, Bobby Young, and Brian Cannon, with various felony charges related to trafficking and conspiracy.

The case received support from the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program, which provides funding for statewide initiatives aimed at curbing fentanyl’s devastating impact on Florida communities. The SAFE program, combined with enforcement efforts like Operation Trackside, reflects Florida’s commitment to addressing the opioid and fentanyl crises head-on.

Florida has taken several steps to combat the fentanyl epidemic beyond law enforcement actions. The state’s Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) Network, the first of its kind in the United States, provides comprehensive addiction treatment, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and connects individuals to long-term recovery resources. By integrating prevention, treatment, and recovery services, CORE aims to disrupt the cycle of addiction and overdose while complementing criminal enforcement efforts.

Additionally, Florida has implemented stricter penalties for individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl, including mandatory minimum sentences and fines that vary depending on the amount of fentanyl involved. These measures aim to deter criminal activity while ensuring that traffickers face significant consequences for endangering public health.

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Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Kristi Howe will handle the prosecution of the case, which is expected to set a precedent in the ongoing fight against large-scale drug trafficking networks in South Florida. Authorities emphasize that continued cooperation between local, state, and federal agencies is essential to dismantling complex criminal organizations and protecting communities from the deadly effects of illicit drugs.

Officials also stressed the human toll of fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, noting that these substances have fueled overdoses and deaths across Florida. By targeting the supply chain and holding traffickers accountable, law enforcement hopes to reduce the availability of these dangerous substances on the streets and prevent further tragedies.

Operation Trackside highlights the importance of vigilance, intelligence gathering, and multi-agency collaboration in confronting organized crime. The simultaneous execution of search warrants, seizure of narcotics, firearms, and cash, and the charging of two dozen individuals demonstrate the scale and effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement action in Florida.

Attorney General Uthmeier concluded, “This takedown sends a clear message to those involved in the illegal drug trade in our state: Florida will not tolerate trafficking operations that endanger our communities. Our partnerships with local and federal agencies will continue to target criminals who profit from the suffering of others, and we will ensure they face the full weight of the law.”

With Operation Trackside and other initiatives like SAFE and CORE, Florida is positioning itself as a national leader in combating fentanyl and other deadly substances. The state’s comprehensive approach combines enforcement, treatment, and prevention, aiming to protect residents, support recovery, and ultimately reduce the impact of the opioid epidemic on families and communities.