Jackson County deputies arrest 20 suspects involved in Drug Trafficking Organization

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – In early 2023, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s Narcotics Division, Special Agents, Task Force Officers with the DEA, and the Panama City Residence Office began an investigation targeting a drug trafficking organization.

Authorities said the organization was led by Micheal Termaine Bell from Jackson County. Bell distributed wholesale quantities of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, molly, and fentanyl to local retail distributors. After these substances were dispersed to retail distributors, they were sold to citizens in Jackson County and the surrounding region investigators said.

As of Thursday, 20 members of Bell’s drug organization have been arrested, 17 of the members will face state charges and three will face federal indictments, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

According to investigators, throughout this investigation, more than 3.7 kilograms of Marijuana, more than 430 grams of molly, 1.4 kilograms of cocaine, 1,290 grams of methamphetamine, and 104 grams of fentanyl have been seized, alongside several firearms.

“These guys were manufacturing those drugs right here in our community. And they’re distributed to our citizens, to our citizens who suffer from a drug addiction. OK. When you get someone hooked on drugs, it’s not just that person suffers. You got that person’s entire family,” Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield said.

The leader of the drug organization, Micheal Termaine Bell, is still at large. This is an ongoing investigation, and there will be more arrests made in this case, authorities wrote in a news release.

If you have any information about his whereabouts please call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 850-482-9648 or Chipola Crimestoppers at 850-526-5000.

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