Busted-up drug operation one of biggest in LCSO history, Marceno says – Wink News

WINK NEWS

The Lee County Sheriffs Office on Thursday announced they took down one of the largest drug trafficking operations in its history after a months-long investigation.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno said the operation was run by the Cossio family of 170 Avalon Lake Circle in Gateway. Investigators conducted surveillance on the Cossio residence, conducted traffic stops and served several search warrants as a result of the investigation.

Investigators on Wednesday were seen at CLB Autobody & Paint at 4170 Evans Avenue in Fort Myers, which Marceno said was connected to the operation.

Ive always felt super safe, Choe Kent said. I never would have imagined anything like that would have been happening around here.

More than $1 million in cash, 12 firearms and multiple kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl were seized, as were several high-end vehicles Marceno said were bought with proceeds of the operation.

Its just overwhelming to think that stuff like this can happen right next to you, Kent said. I mean, I literally walk, have walked around every street of this neighborhood. Ive walked right by it, so its weird to think about.

Kent says her neighborhood is extremely family friendly. She never would have guessed a family of six in her community would have long rap sheets and now accused of something like this.

The suspects have more than 70 combined prior arrests, mostly related to drugs, Marceno said.

Arrested were:

Gabriel M. Cossio, 60Gabriel M. Cossio Jr., 32Melissa Cossio, 33Jesus F. Cossio, 58Aaron Pruitt, 52Christopher Ramirez, 53

You can watch a replay below or by clicking here.

In court Thursday morning, the prosecution called the entire family a flight risk.

There sheriffs office said the investigation into this operation is still very much active.

Original post:

Busted-up drug operation one of biggest in LCSO history, Marceno says - Wink News