ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9 learned the SWAT team was called to assist in a drug sweep at the Blossom Park Apartments Thursday morning in Orange County.
After several weeks of investigating, officials said they knew which units were involved in the drug trade.
Investigators said they made eight arrests in six simultaneous search warrants.
Deputies said they had to force entry into each of the units.
“I just heard a loud bang. A lot of drug activity,” a resident said.
Raw: Blossom Park apartments drug sweep
Investigators said they found heroin, cocaine, a shotgun, handgun ammo and about $30,000 in cash.
During the raids, investigators confiscated enough heroin and cocaine to bring trafficking charges, officials said.
Authorities told Channel 9 they have received complaints from the community and wanted to clean it up.
"We're just looking for the drug sales, trafficking, that sort of thing. We've had numerous complaints, and like I say, it's a rather dismal place in here. We're just trying to help the community," said Lt. Mike Rossier of the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said there was also a recent fatal overdose at the complex.
"It's always somebody getting shot or stabbed around here, and it's never going to stop," said a resident who did not want to give a name.
The apartment complex has a history of drug and crime issues and is filled with major safety hazards, according to officials.
“There’s electrical fires all the time,” a resident said. “Shootings, killings, they find people dead all the time.”
One resident that talked to Channel 9 said the drug activity is rampant and believes it should be shut down despite the fact that she’s a heroin addict.
Shutting down the complex will be difficult because they are condos and all have different owners, officials said.
The DEA assisted the Orange County Sheriff's Office in the raids.
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