FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Fort Pierce man accused of trafficking large amounts of fentanyl is now facing federal prosecution after a long-term DEA and St. Lucie County narcotics investigation.

Detectives with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division arrested 58-year-old Heriberto Ortiz on Tuesday without incident following what investigators described as an extensive probe into the trafficking of ounce quantities of fentanyl.

Ortiz is expected to face federal prosecution in the case and remains held at the St. Lucie County Jail, per SLCSO.

See also: Chris Hansen joins Martin County deputies in arresting 6 men during child predator sting

Court records show Ortiz was previously arrested in 2022 on accusations of sale, delivery, or possession with intent to sell or deliver fentanyl, as well as unlawful use of a two-way communications device.

However, those charges were later dropped.

“If you choose to traffic fentanyl or any illegal drugs in St. Lucie County, you picked the wrong county,” Sheriff Richard Del Toro said in a statement. “We will find you, arrest you, and pursue the toughest prosecution possible. We will not tolerate poison in our community.”