LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County detectives told Eyewitness News they arrested some of the area's worst drug dealers during a major sting. In all, 12 people were arrested and detectives got drugs, guns and cash off the streets.
Detectives, though, are still hard at work. They said the bust put a dent in the area's drug game, but there are still dealers and abusers on the streets they're targeting.
Ten members of one of Lake County's most notorious drug operations, according to deputies, were put behind bars. Monday afternoon, the county's special investigations bureau laid out all the evidence they confiscated during a two day sweep: more than a kilo of cocaine, $35,000 and ten guns.
"If you keep the drugs out of the area then dealers have nothing to sell. It reduces property crimes," explained Cpl. James Vachon, Lake County Sheriff's Office.
The arrests are the result of a continuing investigation that has lasted five months, so far, and nabbed two major drug suppliers, according to deputies, Terrance Hill and Joshua Bell of Eustis.
Lake County deputies got some intel that Bell lived at 2212 Hollywood Avenue, but he was actually staying right next door.
The first house belongs to the Whileys, Bell's friends, who are still reeling after having flash grenades thrown through their window and their door smashed of its hinges by deputies looking for Bell. Detectives say they have proof Bell sold drugs from their front porch.
"These were actually supply side dealers, so it's going to put a stop, at least temporarily, to the flow of drugs in Eustis," Vachon said.
Investigators said great leads and surveillance led to the arrests.
Lake County's drug problem is no more serious than any other county, but an issue nonetheless and detectives said they plan on making more busts and arrests very soon.
WFTV
