Ticking Time: Over $100K, drugs seized and 11 arrests made in joint Cape Coral police operation

A three-year-long investigation into an organized criminal enterprise resulted in the arrest of several people after a coordinated operation involving officers with the Cape Coral Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. According to CCPD, "Operation Ticking Time" began in 2023 and was led by its Economic Crimes Unit. Detectives say that they identified a group of individuals who worked together to commit fraud and other offenses for financial gain. The members of this group would share victims personal information and would use social media and other platforms to facilitate scams, defraud victims, and more, according to CCPD. Members would commit fraud, identity theft, vehicle theft, property crimes and more. Proceeds obtained through this criminal activity were used for personal benefit and to facilitate more criminal activity, officers say. Members would buy controlled substances for distribution and counterfeit merchandise for resale. CCPD says that detectives used financial analysis, physical surveillance, confidential sources, electronic evidence and other techniques to identify members of the enterprise. Ultimately, the investigation resulted in 50 felony charges and 60 search warrants involving residences, financial institutions, electronic platforms, social media accounts, cellular devices, vehicles and other evidence. Law enforcement seized the following during the course of the investigation: $120,000 in U.S. currency One cloned Dodge Hellcat Counterfeit watches and merchandise 44.5 pounds of marijuana 1,920 THC wax cartridges 23.4 pound of THC wax 263.1 grams of snowcap marijuana The primary charges for those involved include racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, scheme to defraud involving more than $50,000 and money laundering involving more than $100,000. Other felony charges included grand theft, scheme to defraud, uttering a forged document, criminal use of personal identification information, criminal solicitation and more. CCPD says that this was a collaborative investigation involving personnel from their Economic Crimes Unit, Narcotics Unit and Special Investigations Unit. On Tuesday, arrest teams from CCPD and the U.S. Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force - Fort Myers Office and deputies with the Lee County Sheriff's Office. In total 11, people were arrested, with one wanted individual, Azira L. Boone, out of state and making plans to turn herself in. The individuals arrested have been listed below: Derrick Weaver Zachariah Correa Edward Roy Jr. Armando Arguelles Wayne Williams Daniel Styner Jalen Rivera Argenis Blanco Safiyah Hortin Yalissa Reyes-Perez Jalen T. Elliot DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV