Captain Eddie Johnson speaks to the Media
at the press conference.

On August 18th, FHP's Contraband Interdiction Team (CIP) in Troop F assisted in a major sweep of alleged drug trafficking in Ft. Myers, working with other federal, state and local law enforcement officers in a joint effort dubbed Operation Dunbar.

The goal of the operation, which began in July, was to investigate and dismantle a drug organization responsible for bringing drugs from the Miami area to Ft. Myers for distribution in the Dunbar area. A number of undercover operations and other intelligence gathering techniques, along with traffic stops made by CIP members made it possible to identify upper and mid-level individuals in the organization who were allegedly involved in the distribution of cocaine.

Overall, eighty-six individuals were charged with various drug offenses. Thirty-nine of those arrested were indicted on federal charges and forty-seven on state charges. The sweep was a huge success! In just one day, 150 officers arrested more then sixty-two suspects.

The U.S. Attorney, Paul Perez, held a press conference, along with Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge (DEA); Chief Hilton Daniels, Ft. Myers Police Department; Stephen B. Russell, State Attorney 20th Judicial Circuit; and Captain Eddie Johnson, FHP District Commander Ft. Myers. At the press conference, Captain Johnson addressed the news media and explained how this operation was meaningful to the agency as well as the citizens of Ft. Myers. Great job FHP!