27 suspects involved in major drug operation in Jacksonville arrested

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams on Thursday announced the arrests of several suspects involved in a major drug operation in Jacksonville.

Williams said large shipments of cocaine came to Jacksonville from Puerto Rico and were being shipped up the east coast.

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The drug operation shipped cocaine as far north as New York and as far west as Colorado.

Police seized millions of dollars worth of cocaine, along with meth, nearly a dozen handguns and rifles, and marijuana.

There were 27 people arrested in total; arrests were made in Jacksonville, Orlando, Puerto Rico and Colorado, all part of the same network.

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Williams said operations like these lead to gun violence in Jacksonville.

“Guns and drugs go together -- it’s a lot of money’s worth of drugs. A lot of cash involved in this operation. And these are criminals. They rob each other all the time,” Williams said.

The Drug Enforcement Agency will continue the investigation, including looking into links to drug cartels in Mexico.

Action News Jax’s Robert Grant will have the details tonight beginning on FOX30 Action News Jax at 4.

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