A Palm Beach gang involved in drug trafficking and a bevy of violent crimes has been dismantled following a year-long investigation, authorities said.
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The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office held a news conference Thursday to discuss “Operation Shark Bait,” which led to 20 arrests and the seizure of drugs, guns and cash.
The operation targeted a gang known as “Nawf Way,” also referred to as the “Sharks,” which has been active since at least 2020 and has over 50 documented members and associates.
Dating back to that time, the gang has been connected with 62 different shootings, homicides, or attempted homicides and 64 other cases involving firearm, robberies, drug trafficking, and burglaries, authorities said.
On May 21, the sheriff’s office, working with the FBI and Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, executed search warrants at 13 different homes using 200 officers, officials said.
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The raids resulted in the arrest of 20 members, the recovery of seven firearms, the seizure of about $10,000 in cash and a large amount of drugs including cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana, authorities said.
Suspects face charges including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, firearms possession, carrying concealed firearms, drug trafficking, with additional charges pending.
“They think they own the streets, they don’t own the streets, the community owns those streets, and that’s why we do what we do,” Palm Beach Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said.
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