By-Line: Joseph Bober, FCSO
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has concluded Operation Silent Night, a 10-month undercover operation targeting drug dealers throughout Flagler County. The operation ended with a warrant sweep on the morning of December 19, during which 12 arrests were made.
From January 3 to November 7, the FCSO Special Investigations Unit conducted over 20 undercover operations, which resulted in the controlled purchase of 16.1 kilograms of illegal narcotics. This includes 164 grams of cocaine; 261 grams of methamphetamine; 109 grams of fentanyl, which is enough to kill 54,500 people; and 14 kilograms of marijuana.
The operations also resulted in the seizures of seven firearms and $16,705 in cash profits from drug dealers.
Arrest warrants were obtained, and the SIU, SWAT team, Problem Area Crime Enforcement Unit, and K-9 Unit conducted a warrant sweep of the operation’s targets starting on the morning of December 19.
Those arrested during Operation Silent Night include:
- Luis Gil, 56, Palm Coast: Trafficking in Cocaine, Sale of Cocaine
- Robert Cone, 50, Bunnell: Sale of Methamphetamine
- John Harris, 35, Palm Coast: Sale of Cocaine, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Devarus Bethea, 37, Palm Coast: Trafficking in Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- James Forbes, 55, Bunnell: Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Michael Allison, 37, Palm Coast: Sale of a Fentanyl, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Winston Rawlings, 34, Palm Coast: Sale of Fentanyl, Sale of Cocaine, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Jerry Spates, 69, Bunnell: Two counts of Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Specified Area
- Samuel Johnson Jr., 63, Bunnell: Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Park
- Lizzette Johnson, 50, Palm Coast: Sale of Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Park
- Spencer Sarmento, 32, Bunnell: Sale of Heroin
- Jarvis Warren, 47, Palm Coast: Sale of Cocaine
“I commend our SIU team for working hard over the last 10 months getting this poison off our streets,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Thanks to their efforts and help from our SWAT team, K-9 teams, PACE, CPD, and Communications team, these poison peddlers were swept up this morning and will be spending the holiday season in the Green Roof Inn.”
Great job on our outstanding Florida law enforcement, you guys rock!
So grateful of everyone at the Flagler County Sheriff Department for all your hard work and diligence keeping our community safe.
GREAT JOB!
Keep it up!
Thank you and Excellent work Sheriff Rick Staley for you and your proud Deputies of the FCSO. The work your guy’s did on this case took Discipline, Dedication, Stamina and Excellent timing. Not a task easily achieved in most cases. With this type of Professionalism in our county, we can all rest assured that our best life safety conditions are always being guarded.
Thanks much Sheriff,
Jim Hughes
Thank you for keeping us safe and for the work you do!!
Thank you Sheriff Staley and the SIU team! We, the residents of Flagler county, are very grateful for the diligence in finding and arresting these criminals!!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Sheriff Staley for your team efforts to get this poison off the streets I Feel your team has worked and put in a lot of hrs. being able to apprehend these Criminals