Volusia County, FL - In a press conference on Thursday, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office announced a successful undercover operation has shut down a major local meth ring.
"Operation 'Ice Aged,' a major meth ring that was dismantled in the past week, ending today," said Sheriff Ben Johnson. "13 arrests today, 3 arrests last week, we still have 9 people on the street."
Johnson said the people involved in this meth ring "are responsible for bringing a lot of heartache, misery, and even death to Volusia County." He went on to say that meth is very addictive and incredibly destructive to families and to the health of users.
The operation also resulted in the confiscation of various firearms which were legally owned.
The ringleaders were Ryan Prouse and Christopher Tsikuris. The Volusia Bureau of Investigation has been monitoring the organization since July. Investigators found links to a tight-knit group of drug associates who were moving several pounds of crystal meth every month. Investigators believe this ring has been operating in Volusia County since 2011.
The 3 people arrested last week were:
- Corey Dutler, 34, of DeLand is charged with: Trafficking in methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, delivery of methamphetamine, conspiracy to deliver hydromorphone, unlawful transportation of currency and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $550,000
- Jason McDowell, 41, of Port Orange is charged with: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $90,000
- Ryan Prouse, 31, of Port Orange is charged with: Trafficking in methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $800,000
The 13 people arrested on Thursday were:
- Ryan Beaulieu, 39, of Palm Coast is charged with: Solicitation to deliver methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $50,000
- James Biggs, 37, of New Smyrna Beach is charged with: Solicitation to deliver methamphetamine, solicitation to deliver hydromorphone and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $125,000
- Megan Cogswell, 30, of Port Orange is charged with: Solicitation to deliver methamphetamine, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime and child neglect. Bond: $150,000
- George Dickson, 37, of Ormond Beach is charged with: Trafficking in methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine. Bond: $100,000
- Devon Fitzsimmons, 19, of New Smyrna Beach is charged with: Solicitation to deliver methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $50,000
- Clinton Herb, 43, of DeLand is charged with: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $100,000
- Andy Hicks, 37, of Bunnell is charged with: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, solicitation to deliver hydromorphone and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $150,000
- Kristopher Hoskinson, 46, of New Smyrna Beach is charged with: Solicitation to deliver methamphetamine, solicitation to deliver hydromorphone and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $75,000
- James King, 40, of New Smyrna Beach is charged with: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $100,000
- Joann Lendway, 52, of Ormond Beach is charged with: Solicitation to deliver methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $50,000
- Paul Marchant, 28, of New Smyrna Beach is charged with: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, unlawful transportation of currency and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $100,000
- Christopher Murray, 33, of Daytona Beach is charged with: Solicitation to deliver methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $75,000
- Christopher Tsikuris, 32, of Daytona Beach is charged with: Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, delivery of methamphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime. Bond: $175,000
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi had this to say about the operation: “Meth is a highly addictive drug that can be deadly to users and wreak havoc on families and communities. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of local, state and federal partners, this criminal organization funneling crystal meth into Florida is shut down.”
Photos courtesy VCSO.
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