A year-long, multi-agency investigation into crystal methamphetamine trafficking through Northeast Florida has concluded with more than a dozen arrests.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office along with the Drug Enforcement Administration Jacksonville District Office determined in August 2017 that James Lester Callaway, 49, was supplying several Putnam County residents with large amounts of crystal methamphetamine, according to an official press release Tuesday.
Subsequently, in late August 2017, Putnam County Sheriff’s officers arrested Jason Jed Morris, 52, of Palatka after purchasing and trafficking crystal methamphetamine from Callaway, officials said.
DEA and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office Middle District of Florida, State’s Attorney’s Office 7th Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and Nassau County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the operation known as “Polar Pop.”
In February 2018, approximately $70,000 of cash, a firearm, and a large amount of crystal methamphetamine was seized at Callaway’s residence in Jacksonville. Nassau officers then arrested Samuel Trevor Martin with 58 grams of crystal methamphetamine and a firearm. Officers determined the drug supply had been in connection to Callaway.
Agents from the DEA in Atlanta then determined Anthony Donta Jones, 39, had regularly delivered 15 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to Callaway from December 2017 to February 2018. Jones was arrested in March 2018 with 14 pounds of methamphetamine and $2,611 on cash as well as a stolen firearm on him.
Callaway, Jones, and Morris were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in August 2018.
An estimated 20 pounds with a street value of $800,000 in crystal methamphetamine was accounted for in the investigation per the report. Police say the drugs tested at 99 percent purity. Approximately $100,000 in cash, as well as six firearms, were recovered.
Additional arrests made in the operation include:
Ronald Bramble of Palatka: Charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia.
Kevin Leon Chester of Satsuma: Charged with possession of methamphetamine.
Geoffrey Vernon: Charged with delivery of methamphetamine.
Randy Robin Kemp of Palatka: Charged with two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement, leaving scene of crash, fleeing lights and siren active, driving with suspended license.
Gregory Lamar Kirkland of Palatka: Charged with two counts trafficking methamphetamine, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony.
Christopher Belford Evans of East Palatka charged with trafficking methamphetamine, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony.
Richard Lawrence Stansel of Jacksonville: Charged with trafficking methamphetamine, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony; Driving with a suspended license or revoked.
Michael Swear of Jacksonville: Arrested and charged by JSO.