27 drug traffickers arrested in Southwest Florida 

This extensive undercover operation targeted drug traffickers to rid the streets of dangerous and illegal narcotics. As of today, 27 drug traffickers and their associates from throughout Southwest Florida are now in custody. Also seized was approximately two pounds of Fentanyl, more than 1,000 grams of cocaine, almost $200,000 of cocaine, and many more drugs, along with $146,037 in cash.

The following agencies worked together in this successful operation: the Cape Coral Police Department, Fort Myers Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, Naples Police Department, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Marco Island Police Department, ATF, FDLE, DEA, Glades County Sheriff’s Office, and Customs and Border Protection.

The investigation initially began in Cape Coral focusing on identifying and eradicating major narcotics suppliers and violent offenders there and in Fort Myers. During the investigation, law enforcement identified multiple individuals who were responsible for the distribution of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, MDMA, molly/bath salts, marijuana, oxycodone, and Alprazolam within Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and throughout Lee and Collier Counties. Narcotics sources of supply were identified as far away as Florida’s east coast.

The arrested individuals are members of drug trafficking organizations which have targeted Southwest Florida. These arrests will severely impact their ability to do business in our community.

“In 2020, I formed NETFORCE to coordinate a circuit-wide approach to identify, investigate, and dismantle long- term organized crime, narcotics, racketeering, and money-laundering criminal enterprises. This NETFORCE operation is the result of the cooperative efforts of the State Attorney’s Office and state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies. We are committed to fighting the drug scourge and keeping Southwest Florida a safe place to live by removing this poison, and the individuals who traffic in it, off our streets,” said State Attorney Fox.