TAMPA, FLA. (WSVN) - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement made a big drug bust, seizing nearly 50 pounds of fentanyl and 380 pounds of methamphetamine.

The investigation put an end to a major drug smuggling operating that was run by a convicted criminal who is behind bars.

“This is such a crisis,” said Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. “People don’t understand what does that mean, 50 pounds of fentanyl. That could kill half of Florida’s population.”

Forty-five guns and $150,000 in cash were also confiscated.

According to investigators, a man named Carlos Martinez ran the smuggling operation.

They said he used a cellphone from behind bars to give orders to his co-conspirators.

Twenty-four arrests were made, but one key suspect is still out, a 34-year-old man who uses the street name “Brownie.”

Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox