WEST PALM BEACH (CBS12) — With the staggering threat of an ongoing fentanyl crisis, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said that they have dismantled drug networks through “Operation Unplugged,” resulting in over 100 arrests and seizing enough fentanyl to put nearly a million lives at risk.
“In operations like this, two good things happen: We save lives and clean up our communities,” Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said at a Tuesday news conference. “When we remove these criminals from neighborhoods, residents feel safer, and communities thrive.”
Law enforcement officials said that the operation was named “Unplugged” to signify their efforts to disconnect drug dealers from their networks.
Since its launch about a year ago, PBSO said that “Operation Unplugged” has led to 101 arrests, with 25 more anticipated. The operation focused on various drug-related offenses, including firearm charges, drug possession, and intent to distribute.
“I’ve been the sheriff here for 20 years. I’ve never seen one this big,” Bradshaw said. “When you’re in the hundreds, that’s a bunch — and we still have more to go.”
The ongoing fentanyl crisis was highlighted, noting that Palm Beach County has experienced over 5,100 overdoses and 1,026 deaths in the past five years.
The Sheriff’s Office said that they have partnered with multiple agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Their collaboration resulted in securing approximately $230,000 for overtime expenses and undercover operations, significantly aiding the investigation.
Throughout the operation, law enforcement said that they seized 1,724.97 grams of fentanyl, enough to potentially endanger the lives of 862,485 people, along with 35 firearms and various other drugs.
State Attorney Alexcia Cox thanked Sheriff Bradshaw and the various law enforcement agencies for their dedication.
Cox reiterated the commitment to zero tolerance for drug-related criminal activity, and said the arrests were part of a new initiative within her office known as FORCE — Focus Operations to Reduce Criminal Enterprises — which prioritizes cases involving gangs, guns and drug trafficking.
The operation, which began earlier this year, previously made headlines in October when federal agents and local law enforcement targeted the notorious “G Block” in Lake Worth Beach, arresting fentanyl dealers and seizing large quantities of narcotics and firearms.
The investigation also focused on the area around Ninth Street, where law enforcement linked drug trafficking to gang-related violence, including activity associated with the Zoe Mafia gang.
PBSO says these organizations were also linked to illegal firearms transactions and a surge in violent crime, including homicides, drive-by shootings, firearms violations, trafficking in stolen property, and gang-related violence.
Bradshaw emphasized that removing drug dealers from communities has a ripple effect beyond narcotics enforcement.
“Two good things happen,” Bradshaw said. “You save people’s lives, and you clean up the community. When you get these thugs out of the neighborhood, people feel safer.”
Bradshaw also warned that law enforcement will continue making arrests through the holiday season, saying officers “don’t take a break at Christmas time.”
Unsolved double homicide highlighted during briefing
Investigators also used Tuesday’s news conference to highlight an unsolved double homicide they believe may be connected to the same drug trafficking activity targeted in Operation Unplugged.
According to PBSO, the killings happened Oct. 15, 2025, near the 900 block of South G Street in Lake Worth Beach.
The victims were identified as Franck Othnuel Jeune and Anderson Tecker Arthur. Authorities displayed a reward poster during the briefing, offering up to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Colonel Talal Masri said the homicide occurred in the same area where investigators uncovered extensive drug trafficking activity during the yearlong operation, particularly involving gangs operating in Lake Worth Beach.
Bradshaw emphasized that drug trafficking investigations often expose broader patterns of violence.
“Even though their main job is to distribute drugs, they’re involved in a lot of other things — especially shootings,” Bradshaw said. “When you get these people off the street, you make the neighborhood a whole lot safer.”
Detectives are urging anyone with information about the double homicide to contact Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 1-800-458-TIPS, noting callers can remain anonymous.
WPEC-CBS12 is a news partner of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
