SPPD announces ‘largest drug bust in 20 years’

The St. Petersburg Police Department recently seized enough fentanyl to kill 5.25 million people in what Chief Anthony Holloway called the city’s “largest drug bust in the last 20 years.”

Officials from the Florida Division of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and State Attorney’s Office joined Holloway in announcing the results of “Operation Cookie Dough” at SPPD headquarters Thursday morning. Officers executed several search warrants Aug. 7 and confiscated 10.7 kilograms of fentanyl, myriad other narcotics and $506,150 in cash.

The street price of fentanyl is about $900 an ounce. The amount seized is worth roughly $340,000.

“We got to focus on distributors, and that’s what we’re doing,” Holloway said. “You’re not seeing any street-level people here, folks. You’re seeing the people who are supplying it to our community.”

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than heroin. Just two milligrams – 10 to 15 grains of table salt – is enough to kill someone. There are a million milligrams in one kilogram.

David Watson, 36, spearheaded the drug distribution ring in St. Petersburg. Holloway noted it was “not just another drug arrest.”

“We may not catch you today; we may not even catch you tomorrow or next month,” he reiterated. “But sooner or later, we’re going to come knock on your door, or the SWAT team is going to kick in your door.”

Officers executed the primary search warrant at 190 112 Avenue N. Holloway called unit 729 at the West Port Colony apartment complex “the warehouse.”

He said only suppliers could enter the residence to pick up narcotics. Street-level dealers would then distribute the drugs throughout the city.

Officers also recovered 10.6 kilograms of powder cocaine, “several hundred” oxycodone pills and 11 pounds of marijuana. They confiscated three handguns and ammunition.

A kilo of cocaine typically costs between $13,000 and $26,000 on the street. Officers found over $1 million in cash and drugs inside the home.

Holloway thanked Watson for the money. He said the department would “put it to good use” after completing city forfeiture protocols.

Officers also confiscated over $500,000 in cash.

“The last time, the drug dealers didn’t hear us, so I’m going to tell you one more time,” Hollow added. “People in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County will not stand for you destroying our community. They will report you to law enforcement, and we will do everything in our power to hit your operation.”

FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard credited the nine-month operation’s success to S.A.F.E. (State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication) grant funding. He also stressed the importance of state and local officials working together to mitigate the opioid crisis.

Pollard said the operation, in addition to potentially saving “hundreds of thousands of lives,” helped mitigate the violence and other community impacts associated with drug trafficking. He also commended Holloway and SPPD officers for their “tireless” and “very dangerous” police work.

“What they’ve accomplished in this case is immense,” Pollard said.

Holloway explained that freshly manufactured fentanyl resembles cookie dough, hence the operation’s moniker. He said the department executed 25 search warrants in the past month.

Watson faces multiple felony charges, including felon in possession of a firearm, money laundering, “structuring transactions to evade reporting” and trafficking in cocaine and fentanyl.

Kelvin Maysonet, 24, was captured in Orange County. His St. Petersburg charges include operating a drug house, trafficking in cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone and amphetamines, and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

At least one suspect remains on the lam. Holloway asked for the community’s help in arresting Alexander Graham, 24. He faces the same charges as Maysonet.

Holloway said there is “so much fentanyl” coming into the area, as it is easier to order and manufacture than cocaine. He noted the importance of proactively targeting traffickers rather than low-level dealers and users.

“We’ve got to take these people off the street,” Holloway added. “And law enforcement is doing it, the community is doing it. We just got to continue putting more funding toward this.”