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Detectives from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division (Narcotics) in Florida announced on Tuesday that they had made a massive drug bust, seizing over $1.7 million worth of illegal drugs and weapons. According to Sheriff Rick Wells, included in the seizure was enough fentanyl to kill over 6 million people.
“This is the most significant fentanyl seizure in Manatee County history, and our community and neighboring counties are safer because of it,” said Sheriff Wells. The street value of the fentanyl that was seized is estimated to be worth $1.4 million.
According to a press release, “In November 2024, undercover detectives began investigating fentanyl sales at 910 6th Street West in Bradenton, which appeared to be operated by a group of dealers. After conducting an undercover drug purchase, detectives identified Maurice Baxter, 23, as one of the dealers. Further investigation confirmed that Baxter was part of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that was already being examined by other MCSO detectives, funded through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (FDLE S.A.F.E.) program. Using these funds, the detectives continued to purchase fentanyl and later obtained a search warrant for the residence, along with an arrest warrant for Baxter.
“On Thursday, March 13, 2025, the MCSO SWAT Team executed the search warrant and quickly detained the only occupant, Tron Williams, 40. Baxter has yet to be located. During the search, detectives found a bedroom on the second floor that appeared to belong to Williams. Inside, they discovered the following narcotics: 12.3 kilograms of fentanyl (including liquid pharmaceutical-grade citrate), 1 kilogram of cocaine, 1 kilogram of MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly), 273 grams of methamphetamine, 822 grams of marijuana, and 29.4 grams of Adderall.
Manatee Sheriff Rick Wells said a $1.7-million undercover drug bust arrest and seizure is "the most significant fentanyl seizure in Manatee County history." Details: https://t.co/yKO11zNbAz pic.twitter.com/XH4OwQTyZl
— Spectrum Bay News 9 (@BN9) March 25, 2025
Tron Williams was charged with trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in cocaine, and trafficking in MDMA. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for Maurice Baxter and is urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them.
“The State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication program has proven since its inception to save countless lives in Florida,” said FDLE Fort Myers Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson. “Today, FDLE and our partners at the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office can show our Southwest Florida community the proof that the funding and resources dedicated to the program are making a positive impact in keeping this poison off our streets.”