Gov. Ron DeSantis Pronounces Profitable First Yr of State and Native Legislation Enforcement Interdiction Strike Drive

seized $2.7 million price of illicit medicine

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Governor Ron DeSantis introduced outcomes from the profitable first yr of strike pressure efforts to interdict human smuggling and trafficking and the seizure of unlawful weapons and illicit narcotics transported by means of the state.

Over the past yr, strike pressure interdiction efforts have resulted in 1000’s of felony prices, greater than 40 human smuggling prices, over 150 drug prices and the seizure of $2.7 million price of illicit medicine.

“The Biden administration is asleep on the wheel, and Florida is not going to sit idly by whereas medicine proceed to pour throughout the open southern border and into our communities,” stated Governor Ron DeSantis. “The overwhelming success of our interdiction strike pressure serves as a blueprint for states throughout the nation to uphold the rule of regulation and shield their communities from the Biden Border Disaster.”

The strike pressure, shaped on the path of Governor DeSantis in June of 2022, contains members of the Florida Freeway Patrol (FHP), Florida Division of Legislation Enforcement (FDLE) and native sheriff’s places of work.

Collectively, they conduct operations all through the state centered on counteracting the results of the Biden Border Disaster, which has resulted in an inflow of drug and human trafficking and human smuggling on Florida’s main roadways.

“The disaster at our border can also be a disaster in our communities, with weapons and medicines extra out there than ever and our youngsters weak,” stated Florida Division of Freeway Security and Motor Autos Government Director Dave Kerner. “However beneath the path of Governor DeSantis, we’re taking motion to maintain them secure, and regulation enforcement statewide is targeted on stopping these items from taking on our state.”

“Prior to now yr, these interdiction operations have been proactive and profitable in serving to to maintain Florida residents secure,” stated FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “Due to these operations, FDLE Brokers and FHP Troopers have been in a position to establish and forestall some violent offenders from touchdown in our communities. I thank our FDLE group who’re dedicated to those operations and the protection of Florida.”

Operations like this reinforce Florida’s dedication to regulation and order by interdicting human smuggling/trafficking and narcotics and unlawful weapons after they enter the state and defending our borders by offering regulation enforcement and assets to the southern border and the Florida Keys.

From June 2022 by means of July 2023, the Strike Drive accomplished ten operations and picked up the next:

➜ Fentanyl – 8 kilos
➜ Methamphetamine – 5.4 kilos
➜ MDMA – 178 grams
➜ Mushrooms (Psilocybin) – 60 grams
➜ Cocaine – 3.4 kilos
➜ Heroin – 2.6 kilos
➜ Marijuana – 85.4 kilos
➜ Assorted Prescription Capsules – 402
➜ Human Smuggling Expenses – 42
➜ Fugitives Captured – 38
➜ Whole Felony Expenses – 10,569
➜ Foreign money Seized – $334,968
➜ Weapons Recovered or Seized – 30
➜ Autos Seized – 11
➜ Stolen Autos Recovered – 9
➜ Drug Expenses – 158

The above arrests and totals replicate the strike pressure exercise however don’t embody the whole thing of each arrest, interdiction or seizure throughout the state.