INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Deputies arrested 19 people – and are searching for another – in connection with a months-long narcotics probe that led to deputies seizing nearly half a million counterfeit pills from “nuisance” homes. Undercover detectives also recovered cocaine, amphetamines and fentanyl, along with 10 guns and nearly $40,000 in cash.
Sheriff Eric Flowers spoke about the drug bust, deemed “Operation Spring Cleaning,” during a Wednesday news conference at the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s detectives worked with agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations to conduct the drug sweep.
Some of the narcotics cases, involving mostly Indian River County residents, date back to 2025, sheriff’s officials said. Undercover detectives arrested 15 men and four women on a variety of charges involving drug trafficking, along with selling cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine in the area of well-attended churches in the county.
“These operations have led to numerous arrests, firearms confiscated from the streets and significant drug seizures that were close to schools and churches,” sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies continue to search for Prince Brown, 29, of Fort Pierce. Brown is wanted for two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device; possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver within 1,000 feet of a church; possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver; and two counts of trafficking a controlled substance.
Deputies recovered the following narcotics during the probe:
- 183.5 kilograms of counterfeit pills
- 5 kilograms of cocaine powder
- 3.5 kilograms of amphetamines
- 1.5 kilograms of loose marijuana
- 688 grams of methamphetamine
- 362 grams of fentanyl
- 187 grams of an unknown narcotic
- 24 grams of alprazolam
Photos provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
