FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday announced that an investigation spanning more than two months led to the arrests of 13 people, and deputies said they’re searching for five more in what they referred to as “Operation Meth Side Story.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the operation focused on an area in Bunnell and the Mondex area of Flagler. Felony warrants were served Thursday morning, though the Sheriff’s Office said others had been previously arrested and some were already in jail.
“As of today’s arrests, more than $31,000 cash was seized and enough narcotics in the operation to kill the entire population of Palm Coast,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its news release.
Among the substances seized were fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, THC oil, methamphetamine and cannabis.
“These 18 offenders had 177 prior felonies and 157 prior misdemeanor arrests that resulted in 64 felony convictions and 95 misdemeanor convictions. Clearly, these guys are not going to change their occupation,” Staley said.
The operation led to the seizure of six ounces of fentanyl, which is equivalent to a half can of soda. And that’s just a small portion of what they’ve seized since the beginning of the year.
“The amount of fentanyl we have seized within the first six months of this year is up 273 percent compared to all of 2021,” Staly said.
So much fentanyl is flowing into Flagler County that first responders have their hands full using Narcan to prevent overdoses from becoming fatal.
“We’ve had 15 overdose deaths,” Staly said. “We know six of those were confirmed predicate under Florida law for a poison peddler who will hopefully get caught and go to jail. But if it hadn’t been for Narcan, we could have had 200.”
Just Wednesday, Flagler County deputies recovered something they considered to be new -- fentanyl that was purple in color. According to DEA sources, purple fentanyl is a brand of fentanyl by a specific drug cartel that uses food coloring to separate its product from other cartels.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the following arrests were made in the operation:
1.) Raymond Dukes, on charges of trafficking fentanyl and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell.
2.) Michael Bennett, on charges of trafficking morphine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell.
3.) Haley Scott, on charge of possession of methamphetamine.
4.) Jayveon Williams, on charge of sale of synthetic cathinones,
5.) James Donaldson, on charge of possession of methamphetamine.
6.) Tiandra Bennett, on charge of trafficking cocaine.
7.) Cheyenne Donaldson, on charges of possession of fentanyl and possession of methamphetamine.
8.) Justin Anthony, on charge of sale of methamphetamine.
9.) Kayleigh Ferguson, on charge of sale of methamphetamine.
10.) Gary Visciglia, on charge of sale of methamphetamine.
11.) Duane Heinonen, on charge of sale of methamphetamine.
12.) Todd Blanchard, on charge of sale of methamphetamine.
13.) Jason Kjersgaard, on charges of sale of heroin and sale of synthetic cathinones.
The Sheriff’s Office said it was searching for the following five people who are facing drug charges:
1.) Twain Slater, on charges of trafficking fentanyl and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
2.) John Nicolicchia Jr., on charge of sale of methamphetamine.
3.) John Driggers, on charge of sale of methamphetamine.
4.) Adam Giddens, on charge of sale of fentanyl.
5.) Christopher Smith, on charges of sale of cocaine and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Suspects arrested in the operation range from 21 to 66 years of age.
“My message to anyone dealing drugs in Flagler County: No. 1, get the hell out of Flagler County because I’m coming for you next,” Staly said.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office asked anyone with information about the outstanding suspects to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477). You may be eligible for a reward up to $5,000.00. You may also send tips to TIPS@flaglersheriff.com or by calling FCSO at 386-313-4911.