Palm Coast, FL - A dozen guns, pounds of marijuana, and tens of thousands of dollars in cash were seized by the Flagler County Sheriff's Special Investigations Unit as part of a sting that has resulted in the arrest of three men.
Members of the FCSO's SIU executed a search warrant at 15 Farriston Lane on February 1 after getting several tips about suspicious activity. The search resulted in the seizure of twelve firearms and approximately .5 lbs of cannabis. FCSO also says that $8,433 cash was seized under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. Morgan Michael Byrnes, 27, and 63-year-old Shawn Timothy Byrnes were both arrested at the home.
Morgan was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of cannabis with intent to distribute, possession of THC oil, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released after posting his $11,000 bail on February 26.
Shawn was charged with possession of THC oil, possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released the same day he was arrested after posting his $3,500 bond.
The investigation led to Felix Vega, an associate of Morgan Byrnes. Investigators believed that the two were co-conspirators in a marijuana distribution ring. SIU detectives obtained a search warrant for a home at 196 Pine Grove Dr. and executed it on Thursday morning, March 1. That search resulted in the seizure of about 5.3 lbs of marijuana and 1.5 lbs of THC hash oil, which is a highly concentrated form of THC. FCSO says a total of $46,222 was seized under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
Vega, 20, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. He's being held at the Flagler County Detention Facility on $5,500 bond.
“Our SIU detectives did a great job connecting these two poison peddlers and taking them both into custody and out of our community,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “We have knowledge of previous violent crimes in Flagler County surrounding marijuana sales to include home invasions and attempted murder. I’ve instructed our SIU team to go after these drug dealers and get them off the streets of Flagler County before further violence occurs and that is what they are doing.”
Officials say the investigation is ongoing and further charges against Morgan Byrnes and Felix Vega are pending.
Photos courtesy FCSO.
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