AG Moody: Gang Members Busted After Operating Drug Trafficking Organization From Behind Bars

TAMPA (FLV) – Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a bust on a major drug trafficking organization that was operated by gang members from behind bars in Florida prisons.

Moody said agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl, 45 firearms, more than 380 pounds of methamphetamines, and $150,000 in cash during the ongoing investigation.

Prosecutors are charging 25 people, including SUR 13 gang members, with multiple felony counts related to drug trafficking, violent criminal acts and conspiracy. Investigators said members of the SUR 13 gang operated a drug trafficking organization from behind bars.

The SUR 13 members allegedly used contraband cellphones to contact each other from different prisons in Florida. They also contacted drug dealers outside the prisons to facilitate drug shipments.

In several drug busts over the past few months, the amount of fentanyl seized was enough to kill half of Florida’s population, Moody said.

“In just a few months’ time, authorities have seized enough fentanyl to wipe out the combined populations of 66 of Florida’s 67 counties—more than 19 million people! The prevalence of this dangerous substance poses a critical threat not only to the wellbeing of the citizens of our state but also our nation,” Moody said.

“Until President Biden takes action to address the border crisis that is emboldening Mexican drug cartels to bring record amounts of these dangerous substances across the border—fentanyl will continue to kill tens of thousands of Americans every year.”

Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is the leading cause of death in the United States for people 18 to 45. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can be a fatal dose. 

Officials say more details will be released as the investigation unfolds.

Moody previously announced a bipartisan effort to call on President Joe Biden to declare fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction.