BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.—Nineteen individuals have been arrested in connection with a large-scale drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl and cocaine across Palm Beach and Broward counties. The arrests are the culmination of “Operation Trackside,” a 14-month joint investigation led by the Boynton Beach Police Department and the DEA’s Enforcement Group 2.
The investigation, which began with a single drug complaint in July 2024, utilized 17 search warrants, leading to the simultaneous execution of 15 warrants on September 3. Law enforcement seized six handguns, two semi-automatic rifles, eleven vehicles, one boat, 5,027 grams of narcotics, and $452,026 in cash. Additional arrests are anticipated.
“This operation marks a major victory in our fight against the deadly flow of fentanyl and cocaine into our communities,” stated Boynton Beach Police Chief Joe DeGiulio. He emphasized the success of the operation was due to the “tireless work of our officers and the invaluable support of our neighboring agencies.”
DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter highlighted the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration, stating, “This is a great example of what can happen when local, state and federal law enforcement combine resources to remove drug traffickers and other bad actors from our streets.”
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), through its State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) program, provided funding and resources to support the investigation. FDLE Miami Special Agent in Charge John Vecchio noted, “One more victim of the harmful effects of fentanyl and any illicit drugs is too many.”
The arrested individuals and their charges include:
- Garett Deshawn Sutton Jr. (46, Boynton Beach): Trafficking in Fentanyl (3 counts), Trafficking in Cocaine (2 counts), Criminal Conspiracy (1 count).
- Antonio Robinson (44, Lake Worth): Trafficking in Cocaine (8 counts), Conspiracy to Traffic Controlled Substance (2 counts), Trafficking in Oxycodone (1 count).
- Kira Ezra Jones II (30, Boca Raton): Trafficking in Fentanyl (2 counts), Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count), Criminal Conspiracy (1 count).
- Tarik Anthony Jarrett (45, Mangonia Park): Trafficking in Cocaine (4 counts), Conspiracy to Traffic Controlled Substance (2 counts).
- Ion Miksa (45, Boynton Beach): Obstruction of Justice/Tampering (1 count), Purchase Controlled Substance (6 counts).
- Darnel Durand Manuel (54, West Palm Beach): Trafficking in Cocaine (3 counts).
- Nicholas Matheney (35, Boynton Beach): Purchase Controlled Substance (2 counts).
- Michael Vantez Hunter Jr. (33, West Palm Beach): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- James Edward Anderson (59, West Palm Beach): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Fred Ellis Robinson (65, Boynton Beach): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Amber Micara Greermoore (33, Boca Raton): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Carlton Van Potts (60, Boynton Beach): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Timothy Daniels (56, Riviera Beach): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Kira Ezra Jones (52, Boca Raton): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Alberto Cruz, Jr. (62, Greenacres): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Christopher Daniel Jordan (51, Boynton Beach): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Hayward McQueen (73, Fort Lauderdale): Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count).
- Bobby Young (45, West Palm Beach): Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine (1 count).
- Brian Cannon (54, West Palm Beach): Conspiracy to Traffic Cocaine (1 count), Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell (1 count).
Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, is estimated to be 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin and morphine, with even a small dose being potentially fatal. “Operation Trackside” was funded through FDLE’s SAFE program, aimed at combating illegal fentanyl activity across Florida.
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