LCSO says it's ‘White Tide’ operation led to 100+ arrests and major drug seizures

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) announced more than 100 arrests as part of Operation White Tide, a multi-investigation effort targeting narcotics across the county.

LCSO says the operation resulted in the seizure of 1,780 grams of fentanyl, 4 kilos of cocaine, 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 674 grams of ecstasy and oxycodone, 45 pounds of marijuana, 51 firearms, more than $121,000 in cash, drug money and gold jewelry, and a Chrysler 300.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the arrests did not stem from a single drug ring but from multiple narcotics investigations. Some investigations remain active, and additional arrests could follow.

Marceno called the nearly 2 kilos of fentanyl seized the most dangerous part of the operation. He said fentanyl is increasingly being mixed with other drugs, creating a risk for people who may not know they are taking it. The sheriff said Lee County recorded 192 overdose deaths in 2022. Overdose deaths have since fallen by more than 100 over four years, according to Marceno.

Marceno said LCSO doubled the size of its narcotics unit after receiving additional funding from Lee County commissioners. He argued increased narcotics enforcement contributed to the decline. Marceno repeatedly used the operation to defend LCSO funding, calling the arrests, seizures and decline in overdose deaths a "return on investment." He said he wants to continue expanding manpower as Lee County grows and calls for service increase.

The sheriff pushed back against recent coverage and criticism of his budget request. He said he will go through the full budget once it is completed and approved. Marceno said LCSO works with local, state and federal partners, including the FBI, DEA and FDLE. He said some suspects targeted in narcotics investigations have connections to other serious crimes and criminal histories.

LCSO's Drug Homicide Investigation Team also investigates fatal overdoses and works to pursue charges against dealers when appropriate, according to the sheriff's office.