Four arrested in Citrus Springs, FL on drug and weapons charges
Photo graphics courtesy of CCSO.
Citrus Springs, Florida - During the early morning hours of September 28, 2023, four people were arrested as the result of an investigation by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) Tactical Impact Unit and the United States Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force.
In August 2023, the CCSO Tactical Impact Unit received information from confidential sources that 20 year-old Niko Valentino Dedaj of Wildwood, Florida was trafficking in illegal substances. Dedaj, who had Marion County, Florida arrest warrants for weapons offenses, was known to frequent an address in Citrus Springs (Citrus County), Florida.
CCSO Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team members worked with the U.S. Marshalls Service to launch a surveillance operation on the Citrus Springs residence. As soon as Mr. Dedaj was spotted, he was taken into custody.
Following Dedaj's arrest, a search warrant was obtained for the residence due to firearms and narcotics being in plain sight.
During the search, officers located fifteen firearms, one that had been stolen, one a ghost gun (untraceable), and one that had been modified to be fully automatic, along with a trafficking amount of fentanyl, cannabis, paraphernalia, and a stolen vehicle.
Arrests:
Dedaj was charged with obstruction of a search warrant, trafficking in fentanyl greater than 28 grams, possession of cannabis with intent to sell, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony; renting, leasing or owning a structure for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled substance ($65,000 bond).
Jonathan Penalvert, age 30, of Ocala, Florida, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, obstruction of a search warrant, and possession of drug paraphernalia ($18,000 bond).
Antonio Amaurys Perez, age 22, of Ocala, Florida, was charged with obstruction of a search warrant ($1,000 bond).
Gabriel Ruiz, 38, of Ocala, Florida, was charged with obstruction of a search warrant, trafficking in fentanyl greater than 28 grams, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of cannabis with intent to sell ($70,000).
About the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Tactical Impact Unit
The responcibilities of the Tactical Impact Unit include narcotics investigations, street level reverse stings, regular checks for narcotics in schools and traffic interdiction. The unit coordinates and assists other organizations and departments in combating street-level drug crimes. TIU detectives identify, investigate, and infiltrate street to mid-level narcotics dealers and their organizations within Citrus County and work closely with other units within the Bureau of Special Investigations and other local, state, and federal agencies.