The Lee County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference Thursday to announce the end of a months-long investigation into illegal drug activity in South Fort Myers and Bonita Springs.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno said through the investigation, dubbed “Operation Checkmate,” narcotics detectives identified individuals selling fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack cocaine and prescription pills.
"Our team was able to identify primary suspects as being documented members of the Latin King gang," Marceno said. "In the end, our team was able to infiltrate the organization and establish probable cause for the arrest of 20 street-level dealers."
Marceno said 16 people have been arrested and charged with selling illegal narcotics. The remaining four remain at-large.
