STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A Sur 13 gang member living in a sober home was sentenced to 20 years in prison after an undercover operation in Stuart uncovered his role in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine.
On January 3, 2024, deputies from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) intercepted 40-year-old Daniel Gatlin outside a local convenience store, where he believed he was meeting a legitimate buyer.
Investigators revealed that Gatlin, a confirmed member of the Sureños (Sur 13) gang affiliated with the Mexican Mafia, was involved in distributing pounds of methamphetamine. Despite residing in a sober living facility in Broward County, Gatlin offered to sell various drugs during the investigation.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Gatlin told narcotics detectives he sourced the drugs directly from the border. Following his arrest, deputies recovered an additional two pounds of meth and some fentanyl in Stuart, bringing the total seized methamphetamine to three pounds.
In recorded conversations, Gatlin cited his gang affiliation as the reason for being entrusted with distributing such large drug quantities in South Florida.
In February 2024, Gatlin pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder commented on Gatlin’s role, stating,
“His rank as a drug distributor is fairly high… He’s not a street-level dealer by any means.”
