VBI Arrests 10 Men Involved In Large Cocaine Ring

New Smyrna Beach, FL – An 8-month operation ends with the dismantling of a large cocaine ring on the eastern side of Volusia County.

10 men are now in custody as part of Operation “Up In Smoke” and more arrests are expected, according to the Volusia Bureau of Investigation.

VBI announced the arrests Tuesday afternoon in a joint operation with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. The East Volusia Narcotics Task Force also took part.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Gary Davidson says the ring was responsible for pushing up to 5 kilos of coke a month through the New Smyrna Beach area.

“The arrests capped off an investigation designed to infiltrate the drug dealing organization,” Davidson added. “Among those nabbed was the reported leader of the organization, 37-year-old Bernard Evans of New Smyrna Beach.”

The operation – launched in March – featured undercover agents putting the ring’s members under surveillance while they made drug deals and infiltrating the group to buy drugs.

Davidson says the big break came when Evans and another man – 32-year-old Anthony Isaac – were arrested November 9th.

“When he was taken into custody, Evans had 135 grams of cocaine on him,” Davidson stated. “The arrests led to the search of Evans’ residence on Sugartree Circle in New Smyrna Beach as well as a second residence on Hickory Street, also in New Smyrna Beach. The searches turned up more cocaine, scales, plastic bags and a stolen gun.”

Investigators managed to get a slew of arrest warrants soon afterward and arrested 6 of the other 8 men on Tuesday.

“Searches for other members of the organization are still under way,” Davidson said.

The names of all the men who were booked at Volusia County Jail and their charges are as follows.

– Evans: Sale or delivery of cocaine, trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to deliver cocaine, possession of a conveyance used for the sale of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a 2-way communications device and introduction of contraband into a detention facility. Held on $87,000 bond.

– Isaac: Conspiracy to deliver cocaine and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Free on bond.

– 61-year-old Scott Bailey: Conspiracy to deliver cocaine and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Held on $60,000 bond.

– 50-year-old Robert Forbes: Arrested October 9th. 2 counts of sale of cocaine, resisting an officer, marijuana possession with intent to sell, trafficking in hydrocodone, cocaine possession, conspiracy to deliver cocaine and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Denied bond.

– 42-year-old Willie McCoy: Conspiracy to deliver cocaine and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Held on $60,000 bond.

– 41-year-old Arrington Hudson: Arrested October 29th. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, grand theft, armed burglary, drug paraphernalia possession, cocaine possession, marijuana possession, conspiracy to deliver cocaine and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Held on $137,000 bond.

– 40-year-old Travis Scott: Conspiracy to deliver cocaine and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Held on $60,000 bond.

– 31-year-old Cameron Richardson: Conspiracy to deliver cocaine, grand theft from a dwelling and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Denied bond.

– 28-year-old Joshua Ward: Conspiracy to deliver cocaine, marijuana possession with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a child care facility and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Denied bond.

– 26-year-old Travon Jackson: Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, trafficking in cocaine, delivery of cocaine, robbery with a firearm and unlawful use of a 2-way communications device. Denied bond.

All mugshots below are courtesy of VCJ.