In Florida, the state’s Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Thursday that a drug enforcement operation conducted statewide has led to the arrest of 49 individuals. The operation, known as “Operation Ice Breaker II,” commenced in 2025 and concluded at the end of June this year. Law enforcement agencies in central Florida counties executed search and arrest warrants after completing investigations into multiple drug trafficking organizations.
Uthmeier stated in a press release that the joint investigative operation dismantled a criminal organization that was distributing deadly fentanyl and other dangerous drugs to communities in Florida. Through the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies, state prosecutors, and related teams, 49 drug traffickers were apprehended and their criminal networks dismantled.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers utilized court-approved communication record tracking orders and wiretaps, conducted surveillance on suspected drug traffickers, and carried out sting operations in Volusia County, Flagler County, St. Johns County, Marion County, and Orange County, ultimately disrupting a “mid-to-upper level distribution network” for fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other controlled substances.
Search warrants were executed around June 30th, where authorities seized drugs, cash, drug residue-laden scales, and other relevant evidence. The Daytona Beach Police Department and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office jointly implemented 49 arrests in this operation.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office singled out three defendants in the press release:
– Vetrick Maurice Shavers Jr. was charged with conspiracy to traffic fentanyl and two counts of trafficking fentanyl.
– Richard Gene Hocker III was charged with conspiracy to traffic 28 grams or more of fentanyl, trafficking fentanyl, and trafficking methamphetamine.
– Antonio Bejon Lee faced three counts of trafficking 28 grams or more of fentanyl, multiple counts of trafficking 4 grams or more of fentanyl, and conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.
The remaining 46 defendants faced charges including drug trafficking, conspiracy, drug transportation, possession with intent to sell or transport drugs, serious felony firearm-related crimes, and others. Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that in a covert investigation dubbed “Operation Hurricane” led by the ATF Miami office, 38 federal defendants and 8 state defendants were indicted for their alleged involvement in a firearms and drug trafficking syndicate in southern Florida.
Authorities seized 94 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and 20 pounds of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine, during the operation.