The Fort Myers Police Department seized nearly $1 million from a home in the Lindsford community off Winkler Avenue. They say that's the most money removed from an investigation, and neighbors in the community say they know the suspect.
"I'd say probably 12 squad cars, two big white vans, surveillance vans, it looks like. And the swat truck came in as well. From what they were saying on the speaker, they're saying we have a search warrant," said Luis Garcia, a Lindsford resident.
Luis Garcia lives by the home on Wilmont Place, which was raided last Wednesday.
Fort Myers police served a search warrant for drugs.
"We found legal narcotics to include fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as a large sum of money that you see here today. They were stored mostly in safes, box springs of badger, bedrooms and mattresses, and bags under dressers and inside dressers. Just various locations throughout the house," said a member from the narcotics department.
They say the suspect, Travis Hixon, 42, who has a lengthy criminal history, refused to leave the home.
Police say they found in the home $949,849 in US currency, 683.1 grams of fentanyl, 5.5 grams of oxycodone, 23.8 grams of methamphetamine, 176.7 grams of crack cocaine and a Glock 43X handgun.
Hixon faces charges of drug possession and obstruction of a search warrant.
"So no community is immune. Is immune from drugs, guns, and violence, but with tips like this, I mean, my initial reaction is, wow. I mean, almost $1 million," said Police Chief Jason Fields.
If the money is proven to be used for drug dealing and the state grants the department the money, they say they will use it toward cracking down on more busts like this.
Fort Myers Police say they were tipped to this investigation by people in the community.
They remind people that if you see something, say something.