PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Attorney General James Uthmeier on Tuesday announced the arrest of five individuals in a major crackdown on a drug trafficking ring who he said was operating across South Florida.

Uthmeier said the investigation, dubbed “Operation Slow N Go,” uncovered large-scale distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, xylazine, psilocybin, marijuana, methamphetamine, testosterone, alprazolam, and other pharmaceutical pills.

Authorities also confirmed that six handguns, several automatic rifles, 2,262 grams of narcotics, and at least 500 pills were seized.

The six-month investigation was led by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division and Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, with assistance from the DEA, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, and West Palm Beach Police Department.

Investigators said they discovered that two of the suspects were selling drugs out of a local flea market in Palm Beach County, using it as a front to distribute narcotics across South Florida.

“If anyone traffics dangerous drugs like fentanyl into Florida, expect our Office of Statewide Prosecution to throw the book at you,” Uthmeier said. “This case is further proof that Florida has the best sheriffs in the nation, and thanks to their partnership, we have fewer criminals on the street and less fentanyl in our communities.”

“Those who choose to profit from addiction should know they cannot hide in our community. We will aggressively pursue anyone trafficking fentanyl and other deadly substances,” added Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. We remain committed to protecting our residents and holding drug traffickers accountable.”

Uthmeier confirmed that the trafficking ring operated in Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Broward, Okeechobee, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties in Florida, as well as Suffolk County, Virginia.

He identified the following suspects and announced their charges during a press conference Tuesday morning:

Gary Devon West

Conspiracy to commit racketeering
Trafficking in fentanyl
Conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine (28–200g)
Conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine (28–200g)
Trafficking in methamphetamine (14–28g)
Delivery of fentanyl
Delivery of methamphetamine (twice)
Possession with intent to deliver fentanyl
Conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine
Conspiracy to deliver fentanyl
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Darryl “Unc” Butler

Conspiracy to commit racketeering
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Andres Chaves

Conspiracy to deliver fentanyl
Delivery of fentanyl
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

James Thiele

Trafficking in methamphetamine (14 grams or more)
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Robert Townsend

Trafficking in methamphetamine (14 grams or more)
Delivery of Schedule II controlled substance
Unlawful use of a two-way communication device

Authorities say two additional individuals have outstanding warrants, and more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

Uthmeier: ‘Operation Slow N Go’ uncovers major South Florida drug trafficking ring

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Ryan Mackey

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