A two-month operation targeting drug trafficking and violent crime in Palm Beach County had led to dozens of arrests and a large amount of guns and narcotics seized, authorities said Thursday.
“Operation Hurricane” was led by the ATF and involved the DEA, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and other agencies and led to at least 46 suspects facing charges, officials said at a news conference.
Authorities seized 94 firearms and “substantial quantities” of drugs, including over 7 kilos of cocaine, nearly 1.5 kilos of crack cocaine, over 400 grams of fentanyl, thousands of methamphetamine pills, and trafficking amounts of methamphetamine and heroin.
The effort involved over 120 undercover operations throughout the county.
In one instance, a firearm that was seized was found to be connected with a recent murder case and led to a suspect being arrested and charged in the killing.
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Multiple suspects who allegedly provided armed protection for drug transactions were arrested and found with guns, ammunition, ballistic vests, two-way radios, handcuffs and other tactical equipment, authorities said.
“Illegal guns fuel robberies, retaliatory violence, drug trafficking and murder,” Acting Deputy Attorney General Colin M. McDonald said at the news conference. “Illegal narcotics bring addiction, overdose and instability into neighborhoods already carrying too much of the burden of crime.”
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