PHOTO PROVIDED BY SEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A multi-agency probe led authorities to two suspected drug homes, where law enforcement officers seized crystal methamphetamine, heroin mixed with fentanyl, a stolen Honda motorcycle and more, officials said.

Sebastian police Special Response Team and Indian River County sheriff’s SWAT team conducted the joint investigation. Other agencies that assisted were the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indian River Shores SWAT team and Vero Beach police.

The homes targeted in the probe were both connected to drug sales, Indian River County sheriff’s spokesman Maj. Eric Flowers said. Officials searched the residences at 9 a.m. Friday and arrested five people on a variety of narcotics charges, reports show.

“We are proud of the teamwork on this investigation. With the help from our partner agencies, we were all able to take dangerous drug peddlers off the streets,” Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar said in a statement. “Methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl are deadly drugs, and we are happy to have these offenders behind bars where they belong. Thanks to all those who participated in making this a successful joint investigation.”

Sebastian, Indian River Shores and Vero Beach SWAT officers served a search warrant at a home in the 500 block of Citrus Avenue, Sebastian. Simultaneously, the sheriff’s SWAT team searched another residence in the 8900 block of 133rd Place in Roseland.

Inside a storage shed at the Roseland home, deputies found a false wall being used to store narcotics. Detectives seized more than 50 grams of crystal meth, 30 grams of heroin capsules mixed with fentanyl, three grams of black tar heroin, two rifles, two shotguns and two handguns, officials said.

Deputies also located drug scales, pipes, a stolen Honda motorcycle, 12 laptops and computer hard drives. The motorcycle was returned to its owner, officials said.

Inside the home in Sebastian, officers found 48 grams of crystal meth, two grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, cocaine, seven ecstasy pills and 30 narcotic prescription pills, officials said. The officers also found a manual pill press, drug scales, multiple electronic devices, more than $1,000, counterfeit money and smoking equipment.

“I would like to thank our local and federal agencies who assisted with this investigation and the safe execution of the search and arrest warrants,” Sebastian Police Chief Michelle Morris said. “The Sebastian Police Department and our partner agencies will continue to ensure the safety of our community and its citizens.”

Law enforcement officers arrested the following:

Kristopher Flynn, 39, Sebastian, charged with trafficking methamphetamine, four counts of sale of methamphetamine, and three counts of possession of methamphetamine;
Shea Griggs, 29, Sebastian, charged with trafficking, sale, and possession of methamphetamine;
Ian Whitman, 41, Vero Beach, charged with sale of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
James Whitaker, 49, Sebastian, charged with trafficking amphetamines, possession of methamphetamine, habitual driving offender, with pending warrants for three counts of possession of child pornography and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
Ashley Hodges, 37, Sebastian, charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Additional charges are anticipated pending the review and processing of evidence.

Photos provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and Sebastian Police Department