Florida Fentanyl Kingpin Down: 31 Charged in Federal Crackdown

MIAMI – In a major blow to South Florida’s fentanyl trade, federal authorities have charged 31 individuals with firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses as part of Operation Showdown.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge Gordon Mallory of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Miami Field Division announced the results of a two-month, multi-agency effort targeting repeat offenders in South Florida during a press conference.

As part of the operation, ATF personnel from around the country were deployed to work alongside federal and local law enforcement agencies, bringing with them a broad range of expertise, including tactical operations, technical support, and undercover capabilities.

So far, the ATF-led initiative has resulted in federal charges and arrests of 31 Miami-Dade and Broward County residents with firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. In total, 80 firearms were seized along with 900 rounds of ammunition. The seized firearms include automatic and semiautomatic weapons, rifles, handguns, and machine gun conversion devices. Additionally, approximately 10 kilograms of illegal narcotics were confiscated, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, oxycodone, and others.

“Drugs and guns continue to fuel the violence that threatens the safety of our community,” said U.S. Attorney O’Byrne. “By prosecuting violent offenders, in close collaboration with ATF and other federal and local law enforcement agencies, we send a clear and unified message that South Florida will not be defined by fear but by safety and justice.”

The federal cases are being coordinated by Deputy Chief Sharad Motiani of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. United States v. Bethel, Case No. 25-cr-20256, is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Montes. United States v. Breedlove, Case No. 25-mj-06411, is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Gerarde.

The ATF-led initiative is a critical component of keeping our communities safe, and we will continue to prioritize keeping violent offenders, those who traffic, possess, and utilize firearms illegally, and narcotics traffickers, out of our communities, said acting Special Agent in Charge Mallory.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF are committed to working together with local and federal partners to ensure that those responsible for fueling the violence in our communities are held accountable. The people of South Florida deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods.

The investigative support and assistance from the United States Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, and The Fort Lauderdale Police Department were acknowledged and commended by U.S. Attorney O’Byrne and acting ATF Miami Special Agent in Charge Mallory.