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Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Arrests 14 in Arlington Drug Network, Seizes Fentanyl and Other Narcotics
A months-long investigation into drug activity near the Arlington Expressway led to 14 arrests and the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other drugs, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. â Fourteen people have been arrested following a months-long narcotics investigation into drug activity near the Arlington Expressway, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday.
The operation, conducted by sheriff's narcotics detectives and District 2 patrol officers, began in March. Investigators identified 40-year-old Somario Atkins as a primary supplier operating from an apartment complex and linked 13 other drug operations to him, according to the agency.
During a deployment on Sept. 2, detectives arrested Atkins along with Maurice Nobles, 50, and Christopher Harden, 24. Authorities seized 42 grams of fentanyl â which the Sheriff's Office said could represent more than 21,000 potentially lethal doses â as well as 50.3 grams of crack cocaine, 11 grams of MDMA, 4.3 grams of powder cocaine, 1.2 grams of methamphetamine, and 183.4 grams of marijuana.
The Sheriff's Office said 11 additional people were arrested in connection with Atkins' operation: Vernon Arnold, 41; Darnell Bridges, 40; Evabda Chaney, 34; Kevin Collins, 36; Freddie Goodwin, 42; Darius Wimbley, 35; Selena Collins, 50; Derek Anderson, 47; Rufus Wilcher, 41; Aaron Lucas, 44; and Ladarrisus Hart, 30.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about drug activity is asked to contact narcotics detectives at NarcTips@jaxsheriff.org or call the nonemergency number at 904-630-0500.
The seizure highlights the continuing presence of fentanyl in Jacksonville neighborhoods. Even small amounts of the synthetic opioid can be lethal, and public health officials have warned that fentanyl is frequently mixed into other drugs without users' knowledge. The Sheriff's Office's estimate that the 42 grams seized could yield more than 21,000 lethal doses underscores the potential danger the operation posed to the community.