JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters held a news conference Thursday to announce the arrests of nearly a dozen people in connection with a long-term drug operation.
During the news conference, Waters discussed the results of “Operation Jacob’s Ladder,” which has led to 10 arrests and the seizure of large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs.
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In November 2023, JSO began “Operation Jacob’s Ladder,” targeting a local drug trafficking organization.
Waters said while the investigation was spearheaded to dismantle an illegal drug distribution ring in Jacksonville, it also disrupted a larger-scale interstate and international narcotics network spanning Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas and Mexico.
According to JSO, the investigation found that a local criminal group was receiving and distributing multiple kilograms of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine monthly.
“Here in Jacksonville, this group sources illegal narcotics from Mexico and Texas by means of the Mexican drug cartel, the Gulf Cartel,” Waters said.
JSO said 10 people have been arrested in connection with the long-term investigation, and several other suspects have outstanding warrants.
Waters said three of the suspects — Esteban Rodriguez Martinez, Daniel Chavez Garcia and Damian Alexander Rojas — are “drug traffickers with direct cartel connections” who regularly brought narcotics from Texas to Jacksonville.
Walter Bassett, who was also arrested, was identified as a “documented member” of the Genovese crime family with ties to South Florida and the New England area.
Through a series of search warrants and traffic stops, officers seized 2.3 kilograms of fentanyl, 74.5 kilograms of cocaine, 74.35 pounds of marijuana, 731.1 grams of MDMA, more than $200,000 in cash, five handguns, eight rifles, and two vehicles used for trafficking purposes. In addition, JSO seized 60 kilograms of cocaine during a traffic stop.
“We will never be able to qualify or quantify the lives that were saved by removing this poison from those who profit from this poison off of our streets, but unquestionably, through the excellent work of the men and women of the JSO and our partners over the course of these months, our community enters the New Year safer and more secure,” Waters said.
Officials from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol joined the sheriff.