The war against the opioid crisis has taken a significant turn in Florida, as Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP) has filed charges against 39 individuals involved in a massive drug-trafficking operation.
This coordinated law enforcement action, spanning Volusia and Putnam counties, has dealt a major blow to the distribution of deadly fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine throughout the region.
The investigation, dubbed 'Wild-N-Out' led by the Volusia Bureau of Investigation and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, revealed a well-organized criminal enterprise responsible for the widespread distribution of illicit substances.
Read: Florida AG Moody: Tampa Bay Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced To 27 Years In Prison
The ringleaders, identified as Allen Messer, Toure Allen Wilder, Bobby Wilder, and Khyree Douglas Isaac, are facing charges that include conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, manufacture of fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, money laundering, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device.
https://twitter.com/VolusiaSheriff/status/1803872204242780596
During the course of the investigation, authorities were able to seize over one kilogram of fentanyl, more than 19 pounds of methamphetamine, and 69 grams of cocaine, along with various drug paraphernalia used for manufacturing and packaging the narcotics.
The sheer quantity of fentanyl seized is particularly alarming, as it is estimated to be enough to potentially claim the lives of at least half a million Floridians.
“Florida law enforcement continues to work hard to seize deadly fentanyl from our communities—through this recent action, we are charging 39 members of a drug-trafficking ring, and authorities seized enough fentanyl, a highly lethal opioid, to kill at least half a million people. Grateful for our law enforcement partners for shutting down this massive drug operation in Volusia and Putnam counties and getting this deadly poison off of our streets," said Moody.
Read: AG Ashley Moody, Florida Sheriffs, And Crime Stoppers Launch Cold Case Playing Cards To Solve Crimes
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood added, “It takes a team effort to bring down a drug trafficking organization like this, and that’s exactly what we did in this investigation. Today we put a bunch of drug dealers in jail and made a major dent in the fentanyl, heroin and meth supply in our community. But we know our work is never done, and we have to pick it right back up tomorrow. I want to thank all our partners who made this investigation a success, and promise other drug dealers operating in Volusia County that your day is coming, too.
The opioid crisis has ravaged communities across the United States, and Florida has been particularly hard-hit. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, has become a leading driver of overdose deaths, often laced into other illicit drugs without the user's knowledge.
The devastating consequences of this public health crisis have touched countless families, with lives lost and communities devastated.
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