ST. LUCIE COUNTY—Two siblings were among 17 people arrested in a lengthy drug-related investigation with ties to South Florida, a St. Lucie County sheriff’s detective said Monday.
A variety of guns and drugs, including more than 1.5 pounds of the exceptionally powerful opioid fentanyl and more than 6 ounces of heroin, turned up in the case, Detective Andrew Bolonka said.
Bolonka said the investigation spun off one that began in June and ended with the arrests of more than 40 people. That caseincluded a woman —Cybil Ballard Green —accused of dealing heroin from a Steak ‘n Shake off Okeechobee Road.
“We’ve seen a humongous decrease in overdoses (over the last several months),” Bolonka said.
More:St. Lucie County deputies: Heroin dealer used teenage children to package, distribute drugs
Bolonka identified the main local targets in the recent operation as William Strachan, 33, and his brother, 34-year-old Leo Jamaal Douglas.
“Strachan supplied some street-level dealers and also distributed heroin and cocaine to street-level buyers or drug users,” Bolonka said.
Bolonka said the twomainly dealt in heroin and cocaine, and some of the heroin encountered also tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used for pain relief. It’s about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the DEA.
Heroin, fentanyl and opioids have been a significant issue on the Treasure Coast, with several law-enforcement agencies noting sharp rises in the presence of the drugs in cases and a number of overdose deaths attributed to them.
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Many local first responders carry Narcan, an agent that can reverse the effects of opioids, which typically are injected.
Strachan was arrested last week on more than 50 charges, most of which relate to heroin possession and sales, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. The latter charge often relates to drug deals discussed or arranged via cell phone.
Douglas was arrested on more than a dozen charges, most of which relate to heroin possession and sales, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
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Bolonka said most of the drugs were dealt in the Fort Pierce area, with Strachan and his brother “living and operating out of Sabal Chase Apartments.” Those apartments are north of Okeechobee Road and east of Interstate 95.
Bolonka said investigators identified two sources of supply in South Florida as John A. Crane Jr., 36, of Miami, and Tyko Charleston Dean, 41, of Oakland Park.
Dean was arrested April 27 in Martin County. Authorities said Dean had cocaine and heroin, and attempted to toss the drugs out of his car as he fled Martin County sheriff's investigators on Interstate 95.
Bolonka said several of those arrested have significant criminal histories. A federal probation officer told deputies Strachan was on supervised releaseafter serving federal prison time for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, according to an arrestaffidavit.
Crane is a registered sex offender after being adjudicated in 1997, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.Crane was released from prison in 2001, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
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Crane was arrested May 5 after a traffic stop on Florida’s Turnpike in Martin County. Sheriff’s deputies reported finding more than 5 ounces of heroin in a bag in the backseat. Crane told detectives it was a probiotic for his dog, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara had strong words for those who may sell drugs in the area.
“If you’re dealing heroin, fentanylor carfentanilin our community, you have two options: Stop what you’re doing, or you are in our sights and you will pay dearly as these individuals are going to,” Mascarasaid.
Bolonka said three search warrants were served and several different types of drugs seized, including more than a pound of cocaine.
More:Man charged with trafficking cocaine, heroin, after I-95 traffic stop
Strachan’s home in the 200 block of Omni Drivein Fort Pierce was searched May 16, and investigators reported finding items including more than 4 ounces of cocaine, a shotgun and an AR-15 rifle.
Operation Big Mi-Steak
Bolonka said the investigation spun off one that St. Lucie sheriff’s officials announced in January, which was dubbed Operation Big Mi-Steak. In that case, the key targets were Green; Green’s boyfriend, Johnny Lewis; Green’s son, Rodney Stevens; and Stevens’ girlfriend, Latoya Felder.
More:St. Lucie County deputies: Heroin dealer used teenage children to package, distribute drugs
At the time, Bolonka said investigators had evidence Green used her teenage children to package and/or distribute narcotics.
