Florida officials came face-to-face with the deadly reality of America’s border crisis once again.
Law enforcement just took down a major drug trafficking ring with a staggering amount of deadly drugs.
And Florida’s Attorney General just exposed a massive operation that could have killed over a million people.
Uthmeier announces major drug bust in Central Florida
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday that his Office of Statewide Prosecution has dismantled a major drug trafficking organization that was distributing deadly fentanyl across Central Florida.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Burn Baby Burn,” led to the arrest of 17 individuals with charges pending against two more suspects who remain at large.
Uthmeier held a news conference in Orlando alongside Florida Department of Law Enforcement Assistant Commissioner Lee Massey and Orange County Sheriff John Mina to announce the successful operation.
“There are swift consequences for those who commit crimes in Florida, and we will support law enforcement in the fight to keep deadly fentanyl off our streets,” Uthmeier said at the press conference.
Attorney General James Uthmeier Joins FDLE and Orange County Sheriff’s Office for major law enforcement announcement. https://t.co/BfxvH99O0S
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) May 19, 2025
The joint investigation between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Orange County Sheriff’s Office uncovered 19 group members selling fentanyl and cocaine throughout Central Florida.
Authorities seized six pounds of fentanyl and four pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1.5 million.Â
They also confiscated nine firearms, one of which was stolen, and $50,000 in cash.
Fentanyl seizure could have killed over a million people
The Attorney General highlighted the deadly nature of the drugs seized in this operation.
“Every single day, my office and I know these guys are hearing the same stories of families losing loved ones to fentanyl,” Uthmeier said. “Fentanyl is the most dangerous illicit drug we’ve ever seen. It can kill people in very small amounts.”
According to Uthmeier, the amount of highly potent fentanyl seized during this operation was enough to kill more than 1.3 million people – a sobering reminder of the lethality of this drug that continues to pour into American communities.
Sheriff Mina emphasized the severity of the charges facing the defendants.
“So, nothing makes me happier than when we look at these posters and know that our partners at the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide prosecution is going to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law,” Sheriff Mina said.
The suspects face mandatory minimum prison sentences of 15-25 years, according to Mina.Â
They were charged with trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.
SAFE Grant Program plays critical role in successful operation
The operation was funded in part by Florida’s State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) grant program, which provides financial assistance to local law enforcement agencies specifically for conducting investigations to combat illicit fentanyl activity.
“This operation was successful due to the SAFE Grant program, which provides additional state funding to local law enforcement to conduct investigations and combat illicit fentanyl activity,” Uthmeier explained. “These operations save lives, and SAFE Grants are vital to these efforts.”
Uthmeier touted the success of the SAFE Grant Program, noting that in the past year, it has resulted in more than 1,500 arrests and the seizure of more than 170 kilograms of fentanyl and more than 57,000 fentanyl pills across the state.
However, the Attorney General expressed concern about potential funding issues on the horizon.
“I know our legislature is having a little bit of a roadblock on the budget right now, but I very much hope when they iron everything out which they will do, that the SAFE Program continues to see good funding,” Uthmeier said. “Because today, this announcement would not have happened but for that grant program.”
International drug pipeline exposed
The investigation revealed that the drug trafficking organization had established supply chains extending well beyond Florida’s borders.
According to Sheriff Mina, the cocaine was being imported from Puerto Rico, while the fentanyl was coming from Mexico and California – highlighting the international nature of these criminal networks.
The following defendants have been arrested: Juan Carlos Oquendo, Luis Perez Guzman, Kendrick Butler, Jose Rodriguez, Wilfredo Hernandez, Denniz Andino, Jr., Edward De La Cruz Perez, McKenzie Debardeleben, Anamaria Carrasquero, Luis Galarza, Herman Toledo, Xuxa Sanes, Brian Nazario, Molly Wilson, Juan Gonzalez, Nolan Lavery, III, and Jose Ortiz.
Two suspects – David Santana and Valerie Multari – remain at large.
Sheriff Mina promised that this would not be the last major operation against drug traffickers in Central Florida.
“And this won’t be our last takedown of dangerous criminals in our community,” Sheriff Mina said. “We’re going to continue to work these large-scale operations through the SAFE program.”
Assistant Statewide Prosecutor David Gillespie will handle the case.
