Operation Magnum Force
Jim Kouri, CPP
May 31, 2006
Federal agents and local cops arrested 23 suspects involved in a conspiracy to produce and distribute crack-cocaine and cocaine powder throughout Palm Beach County, Florida.
The anti-drug operation, dubbed Magnum Force, involved the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Delray Beach Police Department, the Boynton Beach Police Department, the Jupiter Police Department, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, who worked together to end a long-term conspiracy between Winfred Lorenzo Hunt, Carlton Potts, and others.
The conspirators manufactured and distributed crack cocaine throughout Palm Beach County -- stretching from Delray Beach through Jupiter. This investigation has resulted in the seizure of more than 250 grams of crack cocaine, over 1 kilogram of cocaine powder, more than $30,000 in cash, and one firearm.
Thirty-eight defendants are charged in two separate grand jury indictments that were returned on May 12 and May 19, 2006. The first indictment charges twenty-three defendants and contains thirty-six counts, along with two counts seeking the forfeiture of assets. That indictment focuses on the conspiracy headed by Winfred Lorenzo Hunt, a/k/a “Big Dred,” a/k/a “Fatboy.”
The second indictment charges fifteen defendants and contains twenty-four counts, along with one count seeking the forfeiture of assets. That indictment focuses on the conspiracy headed by Carlton Potts, a/k/a “Pep.” The indictments were unsealed May 22, following the arrests of the defendants.
The indictments charge conspiracy to manufacture crack cocaine and to distribute crack cocaine and cocaine powder; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine powder; possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon; and manufacturing crack cocaine.
In addition to the arrests, agents executed nine federal search warrants at various locations in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, and Jupiter. These search warrants resulted in the seizure of cocaine, crack, guns, various types of ammunition, and a bulletproof vest.
"Today we have eliminated the flow of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illicit drugs into our community and dismantled a violent drug organization from top to bottom," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville.
"These arrests send a clear message to drug dealers that they will not operate freely on the streets of Palm Beach County. If you sell drugs, you will be arrested and prosecuted."
Residents of Palm Beach County have complained about street drug gangs infesting their communities with more than cocaine and crack. There was also a spread gun violence and death as a result of gang activity.
Operation Magnum Force is an attempt by the United States Attorney’s Office and federal and local law enforcement partners "to heed our communities’ call for help," said police officials.
"We have joined forces to attack and dismantle local drug organizations and the violence that plague our communities. This Operation is an example of the level of success we can attain when local and federal authorities work together make our communities safer," they said.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, stated, "We believe that [these] arrests will significantly reduce violence in our community by dismantling this notorious drug operation from top to bottom. We are hopeful that this will have a lasting community impact by reducing the level of crime in our county."
"We have sent a clear message that we have “zero tolerance” for drug dealers and their violence in northern Palm Beach County. Operation Magnum Force has demonstrated our clear resolve to dismantle criminal organizations such as this and to reduce violent crimes and drug related activities in our community,” he said.
All police commanders involved claimed the only way to combat criminal organizations of this magnitude is through the combined cooperative efforts of the law enforcement agencies throughout Palm Beach County and the State of Florida, including federal law enforcement agencies. They hope the arrests will result in long prison sentences for these violent drug dealers and help make Palm Beach County communities safer.
"We hope to break the cycle of generational violence that we so often see in our community,” they said.
The anti-drug operation, dubbed Magnum Force, involved the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Delray Beach Police Department, the Boynton Beach Police Department, the Jupiter Police Department, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, who worked together to end a long-term conspiracy between Winfred Lorenzo Hunt, Carlton Potts, and others.
The conspirators manufactured and distributed crack cocaine throughout Palm Beach County -- stretching from Delray Beach through Jupiter. This investigation has resulted in the seizure of more than 250 grams of crack cocaine, over 1 kilogram of cocaine powder, more than $30,000 in cash, and one firearm.
Thirty-eight defendants are charged in two separate grand jury indictments that were returned on May 12 and May 19, 2006. The first indictment charges twenty-three defendants and contains thirty-six counts, along with two counts seeking the forfeiture of assets. That indictment focuses on the conspiracy headed by Winfred Lorenzo Hunt, a/k/a “Big Dred,” a/k/a “Fatboy.”
The second indictment charges fifteen defendants and contains twenty-four counts, along with one count seeking the forfeiture of assets. That indictment focuses on the conspiracy headed by Carlton Potts, a/k/a “Pep.” The indictments were unsealed May 22, following the arrests of the defendants.
The indictments charge conspiracy to manufacture crack cocaine and to distribute crack cocaine and cocaine powder; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine powder; possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon; and manufacturing crack cocaine.
In addition to the arrests, agents executed nine federal search warrants at various locations in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, and Jupiter. These search warrants resulted in the seizure of cocaine, crack, guns, various types of ammunition, and a bulletproof vest.
"Today we have eliminated the flow of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illicit drugs into our community and dismantled a violent drug organization from top to bottom," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville.
"These arrests send a clear message to drug dealers that they will not operate freely on the streets of Palm Beach County. If you sell drugs, you will be arrested and prosecuted."
Residents of Palm Beach County have complained about street drug gangs infesting their communities with more than cocaine and crack. There was also a spread gun violence and death as a result of gang activity.
Operation Magnum Force is an attempt by the United States Attorney’s Office and federal and local law enforcement partners "to heed our communities’ call for help," said police officials.
"We have joined forces to attack and dismantle local drug organizations and the violence that plague our communities. This Operation is an example of the level of success we can attain when local and federal authorities work together make our communities safer," they said.
Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, stated, "We believe that [these] arrests will significantly reduce violence in our community by dismantling this notorious drug operation from top to bottom. We are hopeful that this will have a lasting community impact by reducing the level of crime in our county."
"We have sent a clear message that we have “zero tolerance” for drug dealers and their violence in northern Palm Beach County. Operation Magnum Force has demonstrated our clear resolve to dismantle criminal organizations such as this and to reduce violent crimes and drug related activities in our community,” he said.
All police commanders involved claimed the only way to combat criminal organizations of this magnitude is through the combined cooperative efforts of the law enforcement agencies throughout Palm Beach County and the State of Florida, including federal law enforcement agencies. They hope the arrests will result in long prison sentences for these violent drug dealers and help make Palm Beach County communities safer.
"We hope to break the cycle of generational violence that we so often see in our community,” they said.
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