MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A months-long investigation dubbed “Operation Beneath the Surface” has resulted in the arrest of 17 people and the seizure of four kilograms of cocaine, marking one of the most significant drug busts in the Booker Park area of Indiantown in Martin County’s history.
Watch the full press conference below:
17 arrested, 4 kilos of cocaine seized in Martin County drug bust
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek announced the results of the multi-agency operation at a press conference, flanked by federal partners from the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. The investigation targeted a cocaine trafficking organization led by Cecil Trimble, a career criminal who was operating under the guise of a car detailing business in Indiantown.
“Four kilos of cocaine might not sound like a lot to you, but that’s one of the most significant amounts of drugs we’ve ever gotten out of the Booker Park area in Martin County’s history,” Budensiek said.
The investigation began when Martin County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives started working with informants and conducting undercover purchases. They initially focused on two younger suspects, Khalil Thompson and Christopher Wilson, who appeared to have an unlimited supply of cocaine. The investigation quickly led detectives to Trimble, who was identified as the main supplier.
Trimble, who was on federal probation for a previous cocaine trafficking conviction, was running his operation from a car detailing business that served as a front. Through surveillance and undercover operations, investigators obtained court-ordered wiretaps on Trimble, Thompson, Wilson, and Janarie Jones.
The wiretaps revealed that Trimble was supplying cocaine throughout Martin County and beyond, including dealers in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, and using “mules” to transport drugs to Daytona Beach. During the investigation, authorities intercepted Antonio Honor on I-95 with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol, seizing one kilogram of cocaine. Another suspect, Chiquita Adamson, was also identified as a mule transporting cocaine to the Daytona Beach area.
In addition to the four kilograms of cocaine, authorities seized three ounces of methamphetamine, two pounds of marijuana, and eight firearms. The street value of the seized drugs ranges from $100,000 to $200,000, according to investigators.
The 20 defendants face more than 200 felony charges combined, with 16 of the suspects having previous criminal histories involving cocaine sales, possession, or trafficking. The top four defendants – Trimble, Thompson, Wilson, and Jones – are facing racketeering charges.
Budensiek noted that the investigation revealed a resurgence in cocaine trafficking, with wholesale prices dropping from $32,000 per kilogram to $20,000, indicating increased supply in the market. He attributed this trend to increased border security forcing traffickers to return to maritime smuggling routes reminiscent of the 1980s and 90s.
“We went through the 80s and 90s, the crack cocaine nightmares that we had, and this is starting to come back, and we’re trying to get ahead of that happening again,” Budensiek said.
The operation involved extensive collaboration between the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. Most of the cases will be prosecuted at the state level, though Trimble faces additional federal charges for violating his probation.
17 suspects are currently in custody, while authorities are still searching for three additional suspects. The investigation included the execution of three search warrants – two in Indiantown and one in Stuart.
Sheriff Budensiek emphasized the impact on the Booker Park community, stating that residents “don’t want this going on in their community, especially at this level.” He expressed hope that removing this trafficking organization will help clean up the area and make Indiantown safer for law-abiding residents.
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