Miami-Dade man accused of leading ‘extensive’ fentanyl ring in Florida Keys

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A 56-year-old Miami-Dade man was arrested Thursday for main an in depth fentanyl distribution ring within the Florida Keys, authorities stated.

Melvin Howard is going through costs of trafficking fentanyl, conspiracy to site visitors fentanyl and the illegal use of a two-way communication system to facilitate a felony.

“The women and men of the Sheriff’s Workplace and our federal companions with the DEA did an impressive job getting this legal off the streets,” stated Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay in a information launch on Friday. “My message is evident: Should you promote these harmful medicine you can be arrested.”

Based on Adam Linhardt, a spokesperson for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace, Howard’s arrest follows a 15-month investigation by the Sheriff’s Workplace Particular Investigations Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration that led to the invention that Howard was spearheading the distribution of roughly 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl all through Monroe County.

Linhardt stated a warrant was obtained and Howard was arrested by Miami-Dade police.

Based on court docket information, Howard remained within the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Middle as of Friday and can face costs in Monroe County.