FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — The Franklin County Sheriff's office has arrested 12 people after a months-long investigation into meth trafficking in Apalachicola and Eastpoint.
A WTXL camera was allowed to ride along with deputies and we saw a lot of action. Officers kicking down doors and leading the suspects away in handcuffs.
Most of Thursday's arrests were related to meth, something the sheriff says he's been fighting in his county for a long time.
"We've been dealing with meth since I've been sheriff -- even before. So one of the things we been telling people is we have zero tolerance for selling drugs. We've told people we'll help you get rehabilitation if that's what you want," said Sheriff A.J. Smith. "But if you're going to sell drugs, we're going to work really hard to find out who you are, make a case against you, and put you in jail "
After months of investigation into meth sales in Franklin County as part of "Operation Ice Breaker," the following people were arrested:
- Robert New, possession of paraphernalia
- Gary Barineau, possession of paraphernalia
- Benny Strops, violation of sex offender restrictions
- Mark Williams, sale of methamphetamine
- Revel Dean, sale of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft of a church
- Josephine Givans, sale of methamphetamine
- Christopher Buzbee, sale of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft of a church
- Shelton Hutchins, Trafficking Methamphetamine
- Kayla Osburn, sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia
- Christian Page, sale of methamphetamine within 1,000 ft of church, possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia
- Larry Cummings, sale of methamphetamine and cocaine
- One juvenile arrest for sale of methamphetamine.
"The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is committed to rehabilitation for those who want help, but also committed to incarceration for those who continue to sell meth," officials wrote. "Sheriff Smith and the deputies of FCSO have made a commitment to this community and will apprehend those who sell methamphetamine."
