The Orlando Police Department just shared later today that its Drug Enforcement Division had partnered with the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigations to launch a special undercover operation in bars and nightclubs in the Downtown Entertainment Area.
From July 2024 to November 2024, undercover officers went to 23 different downtown establishments where they were able to purchase illegal narcotics like fentanyl, cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, methamphetamine, 2C, and cannabis.
As a result, 85 charges have been filed against 32 suspects. Just five of those suspects were actually employees at those establishments, with the rest being party promoters, security staff, and more. A total of 11 of those suspects have been arrested, and combined they have a criminal history of 87 felony convictions and 51 misdemeanor offenses, according to the OPD.
Anthony Talcott of News 6 shared the names of the individuals and the offending institutions HERE but you can see their mugshots below.
In addition to the sale of illegal narcotics, officers observed roughly 150 violations across the 23 businesses that could jeopardize their permits to operate after midnight downtown. Officers were regularly able to bring weapons with them into bars and were not identified or inspected as mandated by their city permit.
According to OPD, a hearing will be held in the near future to address the violations and to decide if any of the businesses will have their permits revoked.
