San, Fla. — A 52-year-old Miami man has been charged in connection with a drug smuggling operation targeting Florida State Prisons.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the charges following a 15-month investigation that began in June 2024, initiated by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Paraison was identified as an associate of the ZOE Pound Gang, a Haitian criminal street gang, according to the release.
Authorities allege his role involved recruiting individuals to smuggle narcotics and other contraband into several Department of Corrections facilities throughout Northwest Florida.
During the investigation, agents and DOC staff seized approximately 387 grams of substituted cathinones, 1.2 kg of marijuana, over 190 grams of Spice, 123 strips of LSD, over 180 grams of methamphetamine, over 500 grams of tobacco, and four cell phones, according to the release.
The release states that in February 2025, Paraison was apprehended by Florida Highway Patrol while en route to a contraband drop at a DOC facility. After attempting to flee, he was arrested following a vehicle pursuit and is currently being held at Alachua County Jail.
On Oct. 13, Paraison was charged with multiple felonies, including:
Continuing a Criminal Enterprise (Life Felony) Continuing a Criminal Enterprise (Life Felony)Introduction of Contraband (2nd Degree Felony)Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband (3rd Degree Felony)Conspiracy to Traffic Controlled Substances (1st Degree Felony)Trafficking in Controlled Substances (Substituted Cathinone) (1st Degree Felony)Trafficking in Controlled Substances (Methamphetamine) (1st Degree Felony)Possession WITS or Deliver Cannabis (3rd Degree Felony)Use Two-Way Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony (3rd Degree Felony)Money Laundering (3rd Degree Felony)
Paraison’s bond is set at $1.5 million.
The case will be prosecuted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and the investigation remains ongoing.