WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Police in West Palm Beach announced Thursday they have dismantled a "major narcotics trafficking organization" in the city.
During a 24-month operation called "Operation Old School," West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo said eight high-level arrests were made in the case.
WATCH BELOW: Police announce 'dismantling' of drug trafficking organization
Araujo said the operation began in June 2023, but the investigation "accelerated" in 2024 after a record increase in fentanyl overdoses.
"Detectives identified this organization as the primary source of fentanyl and meth trafficked between West Palm Beach, Belle Glade and the surrounding region," Araujo said.
On Monday, the police chief said multiple agencies executed 13 simultaneous search warrants, leading to the "disruption of this entrenched criminal network."
Araujo said eight organizational leaders have been charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and 56 additional felonies. In addition, 25 "street-level dealers" of illegal narcotics were arrested and face 53 additional felonies and other offenses.
Among the items seized during the investigation were the following:
- $179,000 in cash
- 9 firearms
- Multiple vehicles were impounded
- 1.5 pound of methamphetamine
- 14 grams of Xanax
- 154 grams of Oxycodone
- 18 grams of Black tar heroin
- 250 grams of PCP
- 3 pounds of cocaine
- 6.6 pounds of marijuana
- 7.3 pounds of fentanyl
West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James called the arrests a "proud day" for the city.
"A major narcotics trafficking network operating in our city and across Palm Beach County has been taken down," James said. "Our city will not tolerate criminal networks that bring drugs, violence and fear into our neighborhoods."
