Palatka, FL – A SWAT operation in Putnam County ended with a K9-assisted arrest after a convicted felon allegedly fled deputies during a drug investigation earlier this week.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, a large SWAT presence converged on a known drug residence tied to Maurice Foley, who investigators say is a convicted felon with a history of firearms possession. Due to the size of the property and safety concerns, deputies requested assistance from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
During the search, Foley allegedly ran from deputies, first attempting to escape on a four-wheeler. Authorities say the vehicle crashed, after which Foley continued fleeing on foot and attempted to hide behind a tree.
K9 Apache and handler Deputy Colton Wade were deployed and quickly located Foley, officials said. Foley was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Putnam County Jail.
Detectives conducting a search of the property reportedly recovered three firearms, including one that was reported stolen from Flagler County. Investigators also seized ammunition, marijuana, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and money.
Sheriff’s officials said Foley has prior convictions and previously served time in federal prison for drug trafficking. Because of his criminal history, authorities emphasized that Foley is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Foley is currently being held on a $165,500 bond. Additional charges may be pending as the investigation continues.
Officials did not report any injuries to deputies during the operation. The sheriff’s office credited coordinated SWAT tactics and the K9 unit for bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.
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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