Indian River Country Sheriff's Office warrant sweep nets 21 arrests, most for drug crimes

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — In a two-day span this week, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office's arrested 18 people, most on charges of selling drugs.

The effort was part of a warrant sweep that began April 25 by the agency's Vice Unit. In total 21wanted people were jailed after weeks of undercover work.

"They had done a number of undercover narcotics purchases and it was just time to do a sweep," said Sheriff's Office spokesman Maj. Eric Flowers. "They just wanted to grab everybody at the same time."

More: St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office seizes its largest amount of meth in series of 6 arrests

More: Vero Beach doctor Johnny Benjamin found guilty of drug charges, not guilty of weapons charges

Drugs recovered included methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, prescription pills and marijuana.

"It’s always interesting to see which circles of people are using which types of drugs," Flowers said. "Nothing was unique or new to our area."

The Vice Unit handles drugs and prostitution and anything requiring an undercover operation, Flowers said. He wouldn't go into techniques used by the unit, but said it shares resources and technology with several other agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Agency.

"They spend more time on drugs than prostitution. While we do have prostitution, drugs are more prevalent in our area," Flowers said. "They’re working every day to try and put drug traffickers behind bars. That’s their ultimate goal."

More: Arrests begin on roads to Okeechobee Music Festival

More: 49 arrested, 'eye-opening' array of drugs seized in Martin County drug interdiction

K-9 and patrol units assisted with the arrests and execution of search warrants. Flowers said deputies have done warrant sweeps in the past that didn't involve the drug unit, though this one was focused on drug charges.

"These recent arrests are a stark warning to those who think they can sell drugs in our community and get away with it," said Sheriff Deryl Loar.

"Our Vice Unit has worked hard to obtain sale and possession charges on those who think it is acceptable to peddle these illegal narcotics.

"Make no mistake, your crimes will catch up to you," Loar said.

More: Contact TCPalm with news tips