Drug trafficker looking at child neglect and weapons charges, gets life behind bars
Confiscated drugs, guns, cash, Image credit: Ocala Police Department
Yesterday, Florida’s Marion County Sheriff’s Office echoed an earlier announcement by the Ocala Police Department in reporting that a life sentence had been handed down for convicted drug trafficker Noah Steven Francis. On Friday, March 11, a Marion County jury found the 27-year-old Francis guilty on all charges which led to his life sentence.
In January of 2021, the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) began an investigation into Francis, who was suspected to be distributing Fentanyl and other drugs in Summerfield, Florida. During the investigation, agents were able to obtain search warrants for locations controlled by Francis. In February of 2021, UDEST coordinated an operation and served the search warrants with the assistance of SWAT teams from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Ocala Police Department.
As a result of the operation, agents arrested Francis for drug trafficking, child neglect, and weapons-related charges. Agents also seized firearms, cash, a significant amount of Fentanyl, and other drugs.
During the operation, UDEST seized the following:
- Fentanyl: 4.1 pounds
- Methamphetamine: 80 grams
- Cocaine: 70 grams
- Marijuana: 1,085 grams
- Three guns, high-capacity magazines, and ammunition
- Over $16,000 in U.S. currency
The influx of Fentanyl contributed to the increased numbers of overdoses and continues to be a focus of UDEST. Fentanyl is a highly addictive and extremely lethal substance that is contributing to the rise in overdose deaths, not only in Marion County but also across the country.
Fentanyl is also being broken down and mixed with other drugs including marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.
UDEST is an initiative of the North Florida High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and comprised of local, state, and federal law enforcement professionals from the Ocala Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations.
(Source and Images:Â Ocala Police Department)
(Noah Steven Francis mugshot, Image credit: Ocala Police Department)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
