MIAMI – In an attempt to combat the increased number of heroin overdose cases, local, state and federal partners have initiated a program that was executed Wednesday in Miami-Dade County, netting 12 arrests.
The Miami-Dade Police Department, in collaboration with the Miami-Dade County state attorney's office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted "Operation Dragon Slayer II," targeting people responsible for the sale of heroin.
"People are dying. People are dying at an alarming rate," Lt. Christopher Casino said.
Local 10 News was there as officers and agents served warrants to those suspected of supplying the addictive substance on the streets.
"Targeting the addict is not going to fix the problem," Casino said. "We need to get the people off the street that are supplying this poison."
Police said investigators also responded to overdose-related scenes in an attempt to gather information about each incident.
Authorities said their investigation identified people who were in possession and trafficking heroin, as well as four stolen guns, an AR-15 with ammunition and 33 grams of heroin.
"We're going to continue to do these types of enforcement, these types of operations," Casino said.
The following arrests were made: Enoch Parks, James Williams, Alexander Gilbert, Anthony Grant, Anthony Mercer, Omandis Perez, Carlos Rodriguez, Cedrick Bean, Tevin Spencer, Edward Fletcher, Lloyd Campbell and Prescott Farnell.