MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A woman known as the “Candyman”, Julianne C. Perez, 41, has been arrested in connection with a major drug trafficking operation after investigators say she disguised lethal fentanyl in brightly colored wrappers to look like candy.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Perez and 28-year-old Dillon James Clark were key figures in a widespread narcotics network uncovered during a long-term investigation dubbed “Operation Tooth Fairy.”
Detectives said Perez had built a steady client base, with individuals routinely lining up outside her residence to purchase drugs. When a search warrant was executed, Perez attempted to hide drugs in her private areas, but authorities still recovered trafficking-level quantities of narcotics.
Perez ultimately confessed to her role in the trafficking, admitting that she knew how deadly her products were. Lab analysis confirmed the presence of xylazine and para-fluorofentanyl, both more dangerous than fentanyl.
The following was seized during the investigation:
278.6 grams of fentanyl
83.2 grams of cocaine
136.4 grams of methamphetamines
42 oxycodone pills
The sheriff’s office stated that Perez earned her alias “Candyman” for the way she packaged fentanyl to resemble candy, making it harder to detect and more dangerous in appearance.
Perez was booked into the Martin County Jail after receiving medical clearance. The investigation remains ongoing, and law enforcement continues targeting the Treasure Coast drug trade.
