Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of 20 people for allegedly drug trafficking and racketeering in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Broward counties while speaking at a press conference in Boynton Beach.
According to Attorney General Uthmeier, the defendants allegedly distributed "large quantities" of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances while using over-the-road freight carriers without the carrier's knowledge to transport cocaine from California into Florida.
“This joint operation dismantled a sophisticated criminal enterprise that was pumping dangerous drugs into Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Broward County communities,” Uthmeier said. “Through the tireless work of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and our statewide prosecutors, we seized large amounts of cocaine, along with fentanyl and oxycodone pills. Florida families deserve safe streets free of these deadly substances, and we will hold every member of this organization accountable.”
The investigation, started by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, began after social media activity led investigators to a local distributor of controlled purchases and physical surveillance of an organized ring tied to Ariel Fernandez-Alonso and his partners in March.
Fernandez-Alonso is said to allegedly have supplied 50 to 60 kilograms of cocaine every 15 days, investigators believe. Agents were also able to interdict one shipment of more than 40 kilograms of cocaine from the operation.
Following search warrants, investigators uncovered 45 kilograms of cocaine, as well as oxycodone and fentanyl pills at 20 residences in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, and Broward counties over the weekend.
Fernandez-Alonso is charged with felony trafficking of cocaine (400 grams or more but less than 150 kilograms) and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. He faces 15-years minimum in prison if convicted.
Others charged include Richard Paterniti, Kenneth Charles, and Craig Benard for felony conspiracy to commit racketeering and trafficking offenses related to cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, as well as unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Jerri Kitzelman and Jerry Salerno were also charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
Paterniti, Charles, and Benard also face 15 years in prison if convicted.
“Let me be clear: if you bring dangerous drugs into Palm Beach County, we will find you, shut down your operation, and bring you to justice,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw added. “This operation sends a strong message that we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our communities”
