A multi-agency operation arrested a convicted felon and disrupted a drug supply network across Northeast Florida, according to FDLE.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), working through the HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force and in coordination with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Palatka Police Department, arrested 48-year-old Samuel Williams Jr., of Palatka, following a months-long drug trafficking investigation.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at Williams’ residence last month. The warrant stemmed from a four-month investigation into William’s drug-distribution activities. Through physical and electronic surveillance, it was determined that Williams was supplying narcotics to individuals and locations throughout Putnam County, Clay County, St. Johns County and Duval County.
During the search of the residence, authorities seized 138 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 28 grams of suspected fentanyl, 34 grams of cocaine, 132 grams of powder cocaine, 16 ecstasy pills, 269 grams of synthetic cathinones, 292 grams of marijuana, a firearm, ammunition and drug-packaging materials.
Williams fled from the home as the warrant was being served, but the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit located him nearby. He was taken into custody and transported to the Putnam County Jail.
As a result of the investigation, Samuel Williams faces charges of armed trafficking in methamphetamine, armed trafficking in cocaine, armed trafficking in fentanyl, armed trafficking in phenethylamines, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, maintaining a drug dwelling, and resisting arrest without violence.
The Northeast Florida case will be prosecuted by Office of the State Attorney of the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
The investigation remains active, according to law enforcement.
