MIAMI – On Monday, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Showdown.
It was a 60-day mission to target drug and firearms traffickers in South Florida.
“Today I’m pleased to announce that our community in South Florida is safer,” said U.S Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Hayden O’Byrne. “Many of those are repeat offenders with significant criminal histories.”
Officials said 31 people were arrested across Miami-Dade and Broward, with more on the way.
Of those arrests, officials said 27 are convicted criminals.
“I want to recognize the outstanding efforts of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, the United States Marshal’s service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigation,” said Gordon Mallory, Acting SAC with the ATF Miami Field Division.
Officials said eighty firearms were seized, along with hundreds of rounds of ammo.
“Ten of those were stolen, seven were linked to prior shootings including a homicide,” said O’Byrne.
Authorities also said they seized six kilograms of fentanyl and six pounds of meth, as well as flakka, tusi ― also known as “pink cocaine” ― and crack. Photos show the fentanyl was pressed to mimic manufacturer-made OxyContin pills.
“One of the undercovers was told by a defendant that you have to cut the fentanyl because this is really strong, it’ll kill someone,” said O’Byrne.
Authorities also say they’re looking for Jonathan Eric Brown Jr., a fugitive wanted for drug crimes.
“As we’ve been directed by the president, we’re taking back America and whether it’s one street corner at a time,” said O’Byrne.