Daytona Beach, FL - The Daytona Beach Police Department says they're wrapping up an undercover operation where 41 different people now face charges.
The operation, known as "Operation Clean Streets," took nine defendants into custody today (October 2nd) thanks to the cooperation of the DBPD Narcotics Unit, SWAT and Crime Suppression Team.
Another 18 were targeted by law enforcement, but they remain at large, according to police. The other 14 involved were already in custody prior to DBPD's roundup.
Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri spoke at a press conference earlier today to explain the operation. According to Chief Capri, the operation began in May with the goal of placing "open-air" drug dealers behind bars.
“The most visible forms of drug activity that you see are the street-level stuff and that’s what most of the violence is associated with,” said Cheif Capri.
Chief Capri also mentioned that Operation Clean Streets was partly inspired by complaints from citizens about drug dealers.
14 search warrants were executed during the operation, including two from today which resulted in the arrests of 29-year-old James Reed, who is facing heroin trafficking charges, and 21-year-old Malcolm McMillion, who was charged with cocaine possession.
A breakdown of the operation shows that eight firearms were recovered (five of which were reported stolen), $3,479 in US currency and around 410 grams of assorted drugs. Those drugs were
And this is just the start, according to Chief Capri.
"We're going to step up our efforts and just keep going hard," said Capri. "We have more operations planned throughout the year,
