FLORIDA — A weeklong collaborative operation in Columbia County involving multiple law enforcement agencies resulted in the seizure of over half a million dollars in assets, 42 arrests, and 350 felony charges, the Florida Highway Patrol has announced.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida National Guard Counterdrug Taskforce, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) participated in the weeklong operation.
“These multi-agency interdictions continue to take felons, guns, drugs, and unlawful criminals off of our streets and out of Florida’s communities,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass.
“These successful strike force missions can serve as a role model for other states.”
Through the collaborative effort of all involved, the strike force reportedly conducted 286 traffic stops resulting in the following:
- 350 Felony Charges
- 33 Misdemeanor Charges
- 42 Total Arrests
- 3 Vehicles Seized
- 4 Guns Recovered
- 2 Firearm Charges
- Over 1,500 grams of Fentanyl
- Over 41 grams of Cocaine
- 23 Drug Charges
- Over 1,000 grams of Heroin
- Almost 4,000 grams of Marijuana
- Recovery of almost $9,000
- Over 150 grams of Methamphetamine
- 8 Undocumented Aliens
“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to battling the illicit flow of deadly drugs entering our state and damaging our communities,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner.
