A drug trafficking organization distributing heroin and fentanyl in Volusia and Lake counties has been dismantled after a 6-month investigation that culminated in a series of arrests and seizures of cash and drugs at locations across both counties.
The ringleader, Brandon “Buddy” Carter of DeLand, and supplier, Kamari Mott of Daytona Beach, are both behind bars. Mott, 38 (DOB 4/22/1983), was arrested Thursday during the execution of an early-morning search warrant at his home on Hampton Road in Daytona Beach (see video for footage of his arrest).
Carter, 35 (DOB 12/11/1985), was arrested May 1 after a traffic stop in DeLand, where he resisted a deputy and tried to discard a large bag of heroin and fentanyl by throwing it over a fence into a yard where a family was gathered (body camera footage of his arrest is included here too).
He has been in custody ever since.Beginning in January, deputies, and detectives used confidential sources, surveillance and controlled purchases to identify the organization’s members. Starting Thursday, law enforcement officers fanned out across Volusia and Lake counties, arrested several suspects, and executed 4 search warrants. Those search warrants yielded more than 500 grams of cocaine, $38,000 cash, various pills, and 2 handguns.
The dismantling of the organization was a joint effort led by the Volusia Bureau of Investigation and the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution with assistance from the East and West Volusia Narcotics Task Forces and the Deltona Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Attorney General Ashley Moody commended the hard work that led to the arrests.
“Their work is never done, but today the men and women who put together this operation should be proud of their success shutting down another drug trafficking ring in our community,” Sheriff Chitwood said. “We’re saving lives and improving quality of life for everyone when we put these organizations out of business.”
“The opioid crisis is destroying lives and Florida families,” Attorney General Moody said. “Today’s roundup of opioid traffickers is just a small glimpse into the dark underworld hiding just outside public view. We must fight this crisis on multiple fronts—through criminal-interdiction operations, substance-abuse treatment and even at our nation’s southern border. I believe this action by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office and our Office of Statewide Prosecution will save lives, and I will continue to work with Sheriff Chitwood and all of our great law enforcement leaders to stop the influx of these deadly drugs.”
1. Kamari Mott, DOB 04/11/1983 Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (28 grams or more), Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 grams or more), and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $1,010,000 bond 2. Brandon Carter, DOB 12/11/1985 Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (28 grams or more), Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin (4 grams or more), Trafficking in Heroin (4 grams or more), and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device (Also charged May 1 with Trafficking in Fentanyl, Resisting Arrest With Violence, Tampering With Evidence and Violation of Probation) In custody; no bond on VOP; $1,605,000 bond on other charges 3. Terry McMillon Jr., DOB 12/18/1976 Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (28 grams or more), Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 grams or more), Delivery of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Deliver Cocaine, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $1,525,000 bond 4. Willie Newton, DOB 06/29/1964 Charges: Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $25,000 bond 5. John Harris, DOB 08/13/1960 Charges: Solicitation to Deliver Heroin, Solicitation to Deliver Oxycodone, and Unlawful Use of Two Way Communication Device Released on $15,000 bond 6. Nicole Hurley, DOB 07/03/1990 Charges: Delivery of Cocaine, Purchase of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Purchase Heroin, Solicitation to Deliver Heroin, Solicitation to Deliver Cocaine, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $180,000 bond 7. Lauren Jenkins, DOB 09/03/1996 Charges: Solicitation to Deliver Heroin, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $18,000 bond 8. Christopher Kelly, DOB 11/20/1980 Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin (4 grams or more), Solicitation to Deliver Heroin, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $35,000 bond 9. Michael Kelly, DOB 06/02/1979 Charges: Solicitation to Deliver Heroin, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device. Additional Volusia County Warrant: Violation of Pre-Trial Release Re: Domestic Battery In custody; no bond on PTR; $10,000 bond on other charges 10. Devin Owens, DOB 07/21/1985 Charges: Volusia County Warrant: Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin (28 grams or more), Delivery of Heroin, Delivery of Heroin, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device. Lake County Warrant: Trafficking in Fentanyl (4 grams or more) In custody (Lake County), $540,000 bond 11. Gary Bruce, DOB 04/16/1984 Charges: Purchase Heroin, Solicitation to Deliver Heroin, Conspiracy to Purchase Heroin, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device Released (Lake County) on $20,000 bond 12. Laurie Gilb, DOB 01/07/1981 Charges: Solicitation to Deliver Heroin, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $10,000 bond 13. Glen Floyd Jr., DOB 07/06/1984 Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin (28 grams or more), and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $505,000 bond 14. Rutger Mikell, DOB 09/22/1997 Charges: Volusia County Warrant: Delivery of Methamphetamine. Lake County Warrant: Sale of Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine In custody (Lake County), $15,000 bond 15. Shane Nash, DOB 02/27/1987 Charges: Solicitation to Deliver Heroin, and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device Released on $10,000 bond 16. Donovan Newland, DOB 03/07/1987 Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin (14 grams or more), and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, $155,000 bond 17. Matthew Suzin, DOB 09/01/1984 Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin (4 grams or more), and Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communication Device In custody, no bond set 18. Taylor Hamlin, DOB 02/06/1994 Charges: Delivery of Heroin, Conspiracy to Deliver Heroin In custody (Lake County), $15,000 bond