Major Drug Trafficking Ring Dismantled in Central Florida’s ‘Operation Burn Baby Burn’
In a sweeping narcotics crackdown spanning several Florida counties, law enforcement officials have dismantled a major drug trafficking organization responsible for flooding local communities with deadly substances. Dubbed “Operation Burn Baby Burn,” the months-long investigation culminated in the arrest of 17 suspects on a range of trafficking and conspiracy charges.
Massive Seizures Across Multiple Counties
The operation resulted in the seizure of:
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6 pounds of fentanyl (enough to cause over 1.3 million potential overdoses)
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4 pounds of cocaine
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9 firearms (including one stolen weapon)
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$50,000 in cash
The estimated street value of the seized drugs exceeds $1.5 million.
How the Operation Unfolded
Initiated in September 2024, the joint investigation focused on a multi-tiered network distributing narcotics originating from California, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The organization’s footprint stretched across Orange, Polk, Osceola, and Hillsborough Counties. Undercover operations and surveillance efforts played a key role in building the case.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the bust included the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), and the Attorney General’s Office, with critical funding provided by Florida’s State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program.
Charges and Legal Ramifications
The 17 arrested individuals now face serious charges, including:
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Trafficking fentanyl and cocaine
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Conspiracy to traffic narcotics
These charges carry mandatory minimum sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years in prison. Authorities are still searching for two additional suspects believed to be connected to the network.
State Officials Applaud the Results
Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized the significance of the SAFE program, which was created in 2023 to empower local agencies in the fight against fentanyl. With its future currently under budget review, Uthmeier pointed to this operation as a proof of concept for how targeted funding can save lives.
Orange County Sheriff John Mina praised the multi-agency collaboration, saying, “This is about saving lives. When you take this much fentanyl off the street, you are quite literally preventing mass casualties.”
