Orlando-area law enforcement agencies announced charges of racketeering and trafficking in marijuana against 36 people.[1] The Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, which led the operation, said 50 people had been arrested or charged.[2] Many suspects were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday in raids that included the group’s distribution hub in Orange County.[3] The three alleged ringleaders, named by investigators, were arrested earlier in October.[3] Roman, Reed and a third suspect, Mark Frazer, were found to have multiple identities and aliases, and all three were held in the Orange County Jail, MBI said.[1] Radio Jamaica reported that about 36 people were arrested between Wednesday and Thursday morning.[4] A UPI account said some suspects were arrested in a series of raids, including one on the group’s alleged distribution center.[5]

Investigators said the organization smuggled thousands of pounds of marijuana from Mexico into the United States and then to central Florida.[1] The group used the U.S. mail, private parcel services, freight shipping and private vehicles to move the drug, authorities said.[1] Homes in Pine Hills were used as stash houses, and warehouses in west Orlando took deliveries and served as distribution bases.[2] One warehouse, which ran as a glass repair shop by day, was identified as the base of the operation.[2] Investigators seized more than 3,200 pounds of marijuana, $200,000 in cash, 10 firearms and six vehicles, authorities said.[1] ClickOrlando put the cannabis haul at more than 3,212 pounds.[6] The Orlando Sentinel reported 15 guns seized and said more seizures were expected.[3] The group was linked to homicides in Florida and Jamaica, armed robberies and other violent crimes, MBI said.[3] Agents began targeting the group in September 2011.[3] In July, agents stopped an RV in a resort parking lot and found about 1,230 pounds of marijuana hidden inside.[3] The Sentinel linked the RV to a nearly 3,000-pound marijuana seizure in July that was brought into Orlando.[3] WESH reported the July interception as more than 2,000 pounds.[1]

Suspects face charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, trafficking in cannabis and money laundering.[4] MBI Director Larry Zwieg said Roman was laundering the bulk of the millions of dollars the ring made.[3] Zwieg said the money-laundering investigation was ongoing.[3] Investigators anticipated more arrests as the investigation continued.[6]