Federal officials have announced a major drug bust in Central Florida, with 35 people arrested for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization that had been operating for around six years.
The group was responsible for smuggling drugs from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into Orlando, with 339 kilos (approximately 750 pounds) of cocaine seized in the bust.
The individuals involved in the operation were using private shipping companies and the post office to smuggle the drugs into the United States.
Carlos Velez, who lives in Orlando, was one of the defendants directing the shipment of cocaine from the Dominican Republic through Puerto Rico, with the drugs believed to have been destined for Central Florida.
Alongside the cocaine, authorities also discovered fentanyl and 35 guns (two of which were stolen) during their two-year investigation.
Officials have hailed the bust as a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking and have warned of the dangers associated with these drugs.
