Final 'Operation Daly Dose' suspect arrested, trafficking ring dismantled.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

In a victory against rampant drug trafficking, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office successfully apprehended Patrick Daly, the last suspect in "Operation Daly Dose," a seven-month-long operation to dismantle the Drew Daly drug trafficking organization, responsible for a substantial distribution of fentanyl and heroin in Volusia and Lake counties. Throughout "Operation Daly Dose" various law enforcement agencies engaged in a thorough and collaborative investigation, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of illicit substances and related equipment.

According to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Daly was awakened and detained around 3:30 a.m. Thursday morning at his residence off Evergreen Terrace in DeLand during a meticulously planned overnight operation. He is currently in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail, with a staggering $1 million bond set for trafficking in fentanyl. Additional charges include the sale of fentanyl, possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of Buprenorphine, possession of Alprazolam, the introduction of contraband into a detention facility, possession of contraband in a detention facility, and unlawful use of a 2-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a felony.

The successful operation was a collaborative endeavor spearheaded by the Volusia Bureau of Investigation (VBI) and the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force (WVNTF). These agencies joined forces with federal entities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

VBI, operating as a Central Florida High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative, boasts a team of dedicated members from various law enforcement agencies, including VSO and the police departments of DeLand, Edgewater, and Ormond Beach. The involvement of HSI and the FBI further underscored the collaborative nature of the operation, highlighting the shared commitment to combatting drug trafficking and safeguarding the community.