FLORIDA — A recent multi-agency investigation led by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals alleged to be part of a drug-trafficking organization headed by a Jackson County man.
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According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida (USAO), in early 2023, Investigators with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Division, alongside Special Agents and Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Panama City Residence Office, initiated an investigation targeting a drug trafficking organization (DTO) reportedly led by Michael Termaine Bell, Sr., from Jackson County.
The investigation is said to have identified the command-and-control structure of the ‘Bell DTO’ and its alleged role in the distribution of multiple kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, ALPHA-PIHP (“molly”), and fentanyl throughout the region.
For several years, the Bell DTO reportedly supplied local retail distributors with these illegal substances in wholesale quantities. The retail distributors sold them to citizens in Jackson County and the surrounding region, many of whom suffer from ongoing drug addictions, said the USAO.
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Throughout the investigation, dozens of individual organizational members were identified, most of whom have numerous arrests for drug charges, weapon possession, and violence. Approximately 29 of those alleged members were identified for arrest and indictment.
According to the USAO, as of Thursday, April 18, 2024, 20 alleged members of the Bell DTO have been arrested due to this investigation. Seventeen organizational members will face state charges, and three will face federal indictments.
Throughout the investigation, more than 3.7 kilograms of marijuana, more than 430 grams of ALPHA-PIHP (“molly”), 1.4 kilograms of cocaine, 1,290 grams of methamphetamine, and 104 grams of fentanyl have been seized, as well as several firearms, prosecutors said.
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According to the USAO, this is an ongoing investigation, and more arrests will be made in this case.
Michael Termaine Bell, Sr., who is believed to be the leader of the DTO, is still at large. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 482-9648 or Chipola CrimeStoppers at (850) 526-5000.
Jackson County Sheriff Donald Edenfield thanked several individuals and agencies for their assistance during the investigation, including Northern District of Florida United States Attorney Jason Coody, State Attorney for the 14th Judicial Circuit Larry Basford, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Resident Agent in Charge George Kissell of the DEA Panama City Resident Office, the Florida National Guard Counter Drug Program, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office, Chattahoochee Police Department, and Chipley Police Department.
“We will continue to fight against those who distribute drugs in our community and fight for the safety of our citizens,” said Mr Edenfield.
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