SLCSO arrests 42 in ‘Big Mi-Steak’ drug sting

SLCSO arrests 42 in ‘Big Mi-Steak’ drug sting

St Lucie County, Fl- A long-term, undercover drug investigation led to 42 arrests in St. Lucie County, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

The operation, called “Big Mi-Steak,” lasted seven months and resulted in the confiscation of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana.

Flanked by partners from the FBI, DEA, ATF and Homeland Security Investigations, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and 19th Circuit State Attorney’s Office, Sheriff Ken J. Mascara announced the end of a long-term, undercover drug investigation that led to the arrest of 42 individuals.

“When the heroin epidemic began to infiltrate our community back in mid-2016, we changed our strategy in responding to an overdose,” said Sheriff Ken J. Mascara. “We began sending narcotics detectives to each overdose, interviewing the victim and others that might have observed what happened.”

According to the Sheriff, detectives were directed to focus on the dealers. Then they gave  resources to users if they are willing to turn their life around.

“In early summer of last year, detectives responded to an overdose and began to gather information and evidence that resulted in Operation Big Mi-Steak,” said Mascara. “Because of our strong relationships with our federal agency partners, we invited them to join us to expand our manpower and resources.”

According to the Sheriff, detectives identified Cybill Green, 18-time convicted, violent felon Johnny Lewis, Rodney Stevens and Latoya Felder as the primary dealers.  Lewis, Green, Stevens and Felder are all connected through domestic relationships.

“The name of the operation, Big Mi-Steak came from the fact that Cybill Green worked at Steak and Shake and was actually dealing out of the restaurant,” said Mascara.

photo St Lucie Sheriff

photo St Lucie Sheriff

According to the Sheriff, over the course of the seven-month operation, 12 search warrants were executed, 42 individuals were arrested, 25 guns were seized (10 of which were from convicted felons), and the following drugs were confiscated: 50 grams of fentanyl, 4 grams of heroin, 220 grams or almost half a pound of powder cocaine, 9 grams of crack cocaine, 1 gram of Molly, 11.5 grams of Crystal Meth, 80 pounds of marijuana, 23 marijuana plants, 16 liquid ounces of THC oil, 1,000 milligrams of cannabis oil, 71 caplets of carfentanyl, 2 vials of testosterone, 10 Xanax pills, and various drug paraphernalia.

https://www.facebook.com/stluciesheriff/videos/1806108329408864/

 

“Several users did, in fact, admit to wanting help, freeing their lives from this horrible drug, and as a result were assisted with substance abuse rehab and other similar treatment resources,” said Mascara.

According to the Sheriff, after the individuals were arrested through this operation, a decline in overdoses was observed.

“In the months of November and December 2016, we saw 19 overdoses in the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County,” said Mascara. “Those same months in 2017 showed 11 overdoses. While that might seem like a small change, it’s monumental in the fact that lives are no longer being risked because of this dangerous drug being available on the street.”

 

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  • Posted 6 years ago

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