BRADENTON, FL – Authorities in Manatee County have conducted the largest fentanyl bust in county history, leading to the arrest of 23-year-old Maurice Baxter Jr., with another suspect still at large.
Massive Drug Seizure
During a search of a Bradenton drug house, detectives recovered:
✅ 12.3 kilos of fentanyl – Enough to kill the entire Tampa Bay population, according to Sheriff Rick Wells.
✅ 1 kilo of cocaine & 1 kilo of ecstasy.
✅ 273 grams of meth, 822 grams of marijuana, and 29.4 grams of Adderall.
✅ Multiple firearms, including an M5 “cop killer” handgun capable of penetrating police body armor.
✅ Over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Sheriff Wells: “Lives Have Been Saved”
“These drug dealers don’t care about lives. They only care about making money. The fentanyl we seized could have wiped out Manatee, Sarasota, and several surrounding counties,” Wells stated.
Undercover Operation & SAFE Funds
🔹 Investigation began in November 2024, targeting fentanyl sales.
🔹 Detectives used $14,000 in SAFE (State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication) funds for controlled drug purchases.
🔹 The bust marks a significant victory against drug trafficking in Florida.
Ongoing Search for Second Suspect
While Baxter remains in custody, authorities continue their search for another suspect involved in the operation.
This historic seizure highlights law enforcement’s ongoing efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and prevent overdose deaths in Florida.
