ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Agents with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation said they have dismantled a huge prescription drug ring in Taft with the arrests of 20 people.
Early Tuesday morning, officers from several agencies raided a building on Fourth Street. They also had warrants for two nearby houses in connection with the investigation that began in late 2011.
According to investigators, it was an organized drug ring that supplied oxycodone, meth, and cocaine to dealers and drug users throughout central Florida.
Investigators said Stevie Smith would take associates to doctors who prescribed painkillers. They said the associated would then fill the prescriptions and sell the product through Orange and Osceola counties.
"(Smith is) a career criminal. He's been arrested many times and spent time in prison, and this time we hope we'll be able to put him away for the rest of his life," said MBI director Larry Zwieg.
Agents said cars and motorcycles used to deliver the drugs to dealers and buyers were seized from Smith's home.
"There isn't a deputy that works the Taft area that doesn't know Stevie Smith," said Zweig.
Agents said they also recovered drugs and weapons, including assault rifles. They said it was a dangerous ring, and they're glad to put them out of business.
Channel 9 found Smith has been arrested 33 times on charges that include racketeering, grand theft, intimidating a witness, operating a chop shop, trafficking in cocaine and more.
"Hopefully this time we'll be able to put him away for the rest of his life," said Zweig.
Agents said they expect to make even more arrests.
WFTV
