TITUSVILLE -- Authorities are looking for 41-year-old Leoneil Sloley of Titusville, in connection with a drug operation smashed in New Smyrna Beach.
A fugitive warrant was issued Friday for Sloley, charging him with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 200 grams or more, unlawful use of two-way communications device, and sale of cocaine.
Sloley is among five fugitives wanted in connection with the drug operation. Three of the others are from New Smyrna Beach and the fourth is from Daytona Beach.
In all, 16 people were arrested in Friday's raids at five suspected drug dens -- two in New Smyrna Beach, one each in Daytona Beach and Deltona and the fifth at 580 Lucky St. in Titusville.
The Titusville Police Department assisted Volusia County authorities in the raids dubbed "Operation Rock Star II," because of the local drug connection allegedly involving Sloley.
Another Titusville resident, Chrystal Joe, 26, was arrested prior to Friday's raids, Joe was charged with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 200 grams or more and unlawful use of two-way communications device.
The alleged ringleader of the drug operation, 28-year-old Ezra Johnson of New Smyrna Beach, was picked up at his home on Tatum Boulevard and immediately taken into custody on a warrant charging him with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, delivery of cocaine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, sale of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, and two additional counts of sale of cocaine. Johnson is being held on $220,000 bond.
"Agents with both Volusia Bureau of Investigations and the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force spent months infiltrating Johnson's drug network," Volusia County Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught said. "Additionally, the Titusville Police Department had helped identify the person responsible for supplying cocaine to Johnson's organization."
Already before Friday's raids, the investigation had netted nine arrests and the seizure of 408 grams of cocaine and 2,700 prescription pills. All totaled, the drugs have an estimated street value of $61,000. Spin-off cases led to the issuance of arrest warrants for 27 of Johnson's alleged accomplices. And several of them had already been arrested before Friday, including Joe of Titusville.
On Friday morning, more than 100 agents toting five search warrants fanned out to several locations in Volusia County and one in Brevard County looking for the rest of the organization. And the operation yielded significant results that put an entire drug organization out of business and earned the praise of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
"I applaud the Volusia Bureau of Investigation and partnering law enforcement agencies for bringing down this drug ring that has introduced large amounts of cocaine and prescription drugs into Florida's communities," Bondi said. "The arrests today send a powerful message that we will not tolerate this illegal behavior that threatens the safety of our residents, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution will ensure that the individuals are held accountable for their actions."
"I applaud the Volusia Bureau of Investigation and partnering law enforcement agencies for bringing down this drug ring that has introduced large amounts of cocaine and prescription drugs into Florida's communities," Bondi said. "The arrests today send a powerful message that we will not tolerate this illegal behavior that threatens the safety of our residents, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution will ensure that the individuals are held accountable for their actions."
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