Highway Interdiction Operations are successful

The Sheriff’s Special Investigations Division conducted two Highway Interdiction operations over the past two weeks; one on Big Pine Key and the other in Marathon.

On Big Pine Key, 27 vehicles were stopped during the operation. In 12 of those stops, K-9 vehicle searches were done. Two people were arrested on drug related charges, and two more received notices to appear in court for drug related charges. Two grams of powdered cocaine and five grams of marijuana were seized, along with several prescription pills that were possessed without a prescription. Additionally, 3 citations and 18 warnings were issued for traffic and safety related violations.

On one of the arrests, 40 year old Sky Gerry Rockett of Big Pine was stopped after officers saw his muffler on his vehicle dragging on the roadway and a broken tail light. K-9 Team Detective David Smith and his dog Deja conducted a search of the vehicle and located a pill bottle containing cocaine. Detectives also located several prescription pills. Rockett was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

In Marathon, 36 vehicles were stopped. Of those, nine were searched by a K-9 team with one person arrested on drug related charges. Twenty one grams of powdered cocaine were seized. Additionally, 9 citations and 35 warnings were issued for traffic and safety related issues.

Participating in the operations were Road Patrol and Traffic deputies, troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol K-9 Unit and Monroe County HIDTA.