Governor Ron DeSantis today underscored Florida’s robust actions to uphold law and order, combat the spread of fentanyl and other illegal drugs, and curb illegal immigration.
These efforts include the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (SAFE) grant program, which the Governor signed into law last year to provide essential funding for large-scale drug operations across the state.
Florida has also passed a series of legislative measures aimed at cracking down on crime, increasing penalties for drug and human traffickers, curbing illegal immigration, and attracting law enforcement officers to the state.
Read: Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd Says You Don’t Need ‘Cross-Trainers’ To Cross The Southern Border
Governor DeSantis has taken decisive action against local officials who fail to enforce the law. When two state attorneys, backed by George Soros, refused to perform their duties, DeSantis removed them from office.
“Leadership matters,” said Governor DeSantis. “Law and order is upheld when leaders enforce the law. Florida has passed legislation to fight crime, recruited police officers from across the country, refused to let cities defund the police, and—when necessary—removed rogue state attorneys who refused to do their jobs.”
Attorney General Ashley Moody praised the state’s efforts, stating, “Florida is a law-and-order state, and through proactive leadership and diligent law enforcement, we continue to thrive. Our state breaks tourism records and leads in new business formations, thanks in large part to the brave men and women in law enforcement, who are fully supported by Florida’s leadership.”
Dave Kerner, Executive Director of the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, added, “Florida is a national model in eradicating drugs and taking criminals off the streets. Governor DeSantis celebrates the dangerous work our law enforcement officers do every day, and they deeply appreciate that support.”
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd also commended the Governor’s leadership: “We are a law and order state, and proud of it. Because of this, our communities are thriving. Florida is a safe place to live, work, and play.”
Read: Polk County Deputies Execute Early Morning Warrant Round-Up In Lakeland Mobile Home Park
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass echoed these sentiments, noting, “Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida’s law enforcement officers have arrested hundreds of dangerous drug traffickers and removed fentanyl and other deadly drugs from our streets. Florida stands as a national role model, in stark contrast to crime-plagued blue states.”
In 2023, Governor DeSantis allocated $20 million for Florida’s SAFE program, managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This state-funded grant has enabled local law enforcement agencies to effectively combat drug trafficking, resulting in the removal of hundreds of pounds of deadly drugs from Florida communities.
Some notable successes of the SAFE program include:
- January 2024: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 11 suspects trafficking in fentanyl and cocaine, seizing 30 pounds of cocaine and nearly 8 pounds of fentanyl.
- March 2024: Sheriffs’ offices in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties, in collaboration with the DEA, seized fentanyl, marijuana, prescription pills, and handguns.
- April 2024: Operations by FDLE and Sheriffs’ Offices in Seminole and Palm Beach Counties led to the arrests of nearly 40 drug traffickers.
- April 2024: Officers in the Fort Myers region seized nearly 4 kg of cocaine, 90 g of fentanyl, 69 g of MDMA, 375 g of marijuana, two AR-15s, and more than $60,000 in cash.
- July 2024: A joint operation by FDLE Pensacola, local sheriff’s offices, Fort Walton Beach Police, FHP, and the DEA resulted in the arrest of 19 drug traffickers on charges including trafficking, conspiracy, and racketeering.
- August 2024: A SAFE-funded investigation dismantled a major drug trafficking operation in St. Petersburg responsible for manufacturing fentanyl. Officers seized 10.7 kilos of fentanyl, along with cocaine, oxycodone, marijuana, illegal firearms, and over $500,000 in cash.
To date, the SAFE program has led to over 650 arrests and the seizure of more than 145 pounds of fentanyl, 220 pounds of cocaine, and 60,000 fentanyl pills.
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