Lee County, FL – A major narcotics investigation dubbed Operation Candyman Crackdown led to 68 arrests and nearly $1 million in drug-related seizures, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced this week.
According to Sheriff Carmine Marceno, deputies executed a sweeping operation targeting narcotics trafficking across Lee County, resulting in 50 trafficking charges and the removal of 347 pounds of marijuana, more than 2 kilograms of cocaine, various amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, and pills, along with 26 firearms and $90,000 in cash. Authorities also impounded a Lincoln Navigator SUV connected to the investigation.
Sheriff Marceno said the multi-week operation aimed to “rid our streets of drug dealers, dangerous poison, and violent crime,” emphasizing that narcotics of all types “are the root of evil, and a gateway to violence and other criminal activity.”
State Attorney Amira Fox’s office partnered in the effort to ensure those arrested are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The sheriff credited county commissioners for providing the resources to conduct the crackdown effectively.
Marceno added a pointed message to local dealers: “The plug has officially been pulled. In honor of Halloween, we’re giving you an orange jumpsuit and free stay at the Lee County Jail.”
The sheriff’s office continues to focus on large-scale trafficking networks as part of its ongoing commitment to curbing the spread of illegal drugs across Southwest Florida.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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