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Major Escambia County Heroin Distribution Ring Busted
May 22, 2014
Three people were arrested after the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office busted an heroin ring and made the largest heroin seizure in the last 10 years in Escambia County.
The ECSO’s Narcotics Unit and SWAT team served multiple search warrants before daybreak Tuesday.
The Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) concluded a six-month narcotics investigation pertaining to the sale and distribution of black tar heroin in Escambia County, Florida. Black tar heroin is a potent form of heroin, mainly produced in Mexico and smuggled into the United States, according to deputies.
James Jonathan Mitchell, 50, was charged with battery, resisting an officer with violence, heroin trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia. Phoebe Noelle Roper, 23, and Justin Wayne Williams were both charged with trafficking in opium/derivative and possession of narcotics equipments
During the investigation, investigators located an out-of-state supplier and local distributors and seized black tar heroin, steroids and prescription narcotics with an estimated street value of more than $45,000.
Multiple firearms were recovered including pistols, an assault rifle, a fully automatic submachine gun and a large store of ammunition, investigators said. A large sum of U.S. currency, vehicles, jewelry and other assets derived from the sale of narcotics was seized.
The investigation was initiated after law enforcement observed an influx of narcotics related crime and suspicious deaths attributed to heroin. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
Comments
19 Responses to “Major Escambia County Heroin Distribution Ring Busted”
@429SVJ. Black tar heroin is not an intravenous use drug. They smoke it.
I had no idea that heroin was being used again in Escambia County. Good job to the LEO’s for getting some more trash off the streets
As the child of two parents who were heroin addicts, I applaud and thank all of the men and women who were involved in the investigation, and arrests. Thank you all for reducing the availability of this poison in our community.
Yes I passed by there today (Saturday) and there is a large Rottweiler dog (black) in the fenced in back yard I was wondering whether or not to call someone about it because I don’t know if hes been abandoned. Surely the police would not just leave him there like that so PLEASE check into this and make sure he is ok and taken care of. he looked healthy now. Thanks
So relieved this scum was caught. My son was one of the casualties from this heroin. I believe they should be charged as murderers. This arrest could save someone else from losing a child.
That black tar heroine looks so thick that you would probably need acetone or carburetor cleaner to thin it out enough to inject it. If you were that stupid.
Those heroine cartels need to come up with a patch for addicts and get rid of those nasty needles.
Thank you and great job ECSO!
Had no idea people were still doing heroin these days. I thought that stuff went out in the 70’s and people were abusing prescription pills instead.
Good job ECSO….
Great job LEO’s! Keep catching them – the air smells cleaner already.
wow, he had a few thousand rounds of .308 ammo stashed away there too. Looks like he was prepared to defend his goods. Glad to see this garbage off the streets(at least for a day or two until they make bond) Great job by our LEO’s!
You’re so right, Michal! KUDOS to the ECSO and ALL involved in closing those people down!!!
@ Richard, All of the neighbors around this place are in shock over this. We all knew they were a weird bunch of people, but NEVER knew anything to this magnitude could have been going on!! Our grandkids played out in the front yard and rode their bikes up and down our street and through his lot. Petrifys me that we had no idea all that was going on right across the street from us!!
Glad they arrested him , the guy has given me the hebbiejeebies for years. We knew he was weird and creepy but didnt know how dangerous he is whew good job Sheriffs Dept. Thanks for getting rid of the scum
With that grocery list of felony charges and automatic weapons at hand, it is a miracle that there was not a shootout. When you are going away for life, what is there left to loose. Ten years federal on that machine gun alone.
Good job ECSO Narcotics team.
Mag-Light vs forehead. Mag-Light always wins…
Just by looking at the photos, can you tell which one resisted arrest?
Hopefully, they will get life! The lives that these drugs have claimed should be added to the list of their charges MANSLAUGHTER/HOMOCIDE! Way to go Morgan!!! Keep up the housecleaning!!
Glad this is off the streets. Thank you ECSO!
The photo shows that weird looking building on the corner of blue angel and bellview,its some kind of sprinklers and land scaping business .Was this where the drugs were being sold? I wonder if they knew who lives right next to them hint,hint,hahaha stupid criminals.