The Volusia County Sheriff's Office has arrested suspects accused of running a major drug operation in "Operation Heavyweight."
- Volusia deputies charge suspects in 'Operation Heavyweight'
- Suspects accused of running major drug operation in Deltona
- Deputies are going after 22 accused drug dealers
Deputies held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to show evidence they collected during the morning drug bust.
It was a yearlong operation. Deputies said their investigation determined Henry Bermudez was allegedly the ringleader in peddling drugs.
His house sits in a quiet Deltona neighborhood where neighbors like Robyn Rice said she had no idea what was going on.
"At 5:45 or 6 a.m., we heard and saw them crash through the door and saw the commotion," Rice said.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood said that was his deputies going after 22 accused drug dealers.
Deputies said they confiscated heroine, cell phones, a gun and lots of cash.
The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office had 22 warrants out for the arrests of those they believe were involved.
The sheriff said this operation went from Puerto Rico to alleged supplier Salvador Castillo in Orlando to Deltona.
"While these folks prey on the weakness and are murdering people, I'm proud of all the work these investigators did today," said Chitwood.
Investigators brought in drugs worth about $150,000. The sheriff said it was enough to provide 15,000 doses to an addict.
"These scum bags are the peddlers of death in our community. When you look at last year’s statistics over 800 people in this county overdosed, and well over hundred died from those overdoses," said Chitwood.
Local leaders said this sends the message to drug dealers.
"Deltona is not the place to play go somewhere else get your drugs out of my town," said Anita Bradford, Dist. 2 Commissioner.
Neighbors said they don't want this crime to continue in their neighborhood.
"We’re not accustomed to this type of trash in our neighborhood, and they’re certainly not welcome," said Rice.
The sheriff’s office said some of the suspects are looking at major time in jail, and they are still looking to arrest five more people.
Multiple agencies helped out with this drug bust. The sheriff said this is just the beginning — there are currently other investigations going on in this county as well.