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Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Specialized strike team busts two major drug trafficking operations

Members of a specialized strike team have taken down two large-scale drug trafficking operations in Marion County.

The busts were part of Operation Life Saver, an ongoing effort by the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) targeting drug traffickers. The operation also involved educating residents about highly addictive and deadly opioids.

Ryan Shane Raymond, Summer Wolfrom Gutierrez, Rayshaud Jacquise Keyon Jenkins and Jeffrey Jose Reyes

In recent months, UDEST had set its sights on two drug trafficking operations in Marion County dubbed by lead investigative agents as “Big, Big Bosses” and “Summer’s Last Stand.” Those operations were believed to be responsible for the monthly importation and distribution of approximately 4-6 kilograms of heroin, one kilogram of ICE (crystal methamphetamine) and 40 pounds of marijuana.

Through UDEST’s months-long investigation, agents learned the drug trafficking operations were utilizing four locations:

  • 14901 SE 70 Avenue Rd. in Summerfield;
  • 4108 E Fort King Street in Ocala;
  • 614 NE 12 Ave. in Ocala (across the street from Wyomina Park Elementary School); and
  • Mystery Smoke Box, 8602 SW Hwy. 200, Unit N in Ocala.

The investigation further revealed that Ryan Shane Raymond, of Summerfield, and Summer Wolfrom Gutierrez, of Ocala, allegedly were leading the criminal organizations.
UDEST’s investigation concluded on Wednesday, March 18 when the SWAT teams from the Ocala Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office executed four simultaneous search warrants at the above locations.

UDEST Agents seized heroin, powder cocaine, psilocybin (mushrooms), THC wax, marijuana, one Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol, one Smith & Wesson .22-caliber long rifle, one Freedom Ordnance AR pistol, assorted ammunitions, $118,640 and drug paraphernalia (scales, grinders, smoking apparatuses and packaging equipment).

Those who were arrested are:

Ryan Shane Raymond, 28 (Summerfield)
Charges: Armed trafficking in marijuana, armed trafficking in THC wax, unlawful use of a two-way communication device (14 counts) and possession of drug paraphernalia
Bond: $171,000 (released Thursday, March 19)

Summer Wolfrom Gutierrez, 39 (Ocala)
Charges: Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and driving while license suspended and/or revoked (7 counts)
Bond: $30,500 (released Thursday, March 19)

Rayshaud Jacquise Keyon Jenkins, 27 (Ocala)
Charges: Trafficking in heroin, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of THC Wax with intent to distribute, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of psilocybin with intent to distribute and unlawful use of a two-way communication device (6 counts)
Bond: $85,000 (still being held in the Marion County Jail)

Jeffrey Jose Reyes, 46 (Dunnellon)
Charges: Unlawful use of a two-way communication device (5 counts), unlawful possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia
Bond: $28,000 (Released Thursday, March 19)

UDEST is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. It is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement from the Ocala Police Department, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security.