ST. LUCIE COUNTY – Seven adults and one juvenile were arrested on June 11 by St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Pierce Police as part of Operation Summer Heat, a collaborative crime suppression initiative focused on reducing violent crime, targeting gang activity, removing illegal firearms, and combating narcotics activity throughout our community, according to a sheriff’s office Facebook posting.

The initiative, which also included drug and firearm seizures, is in partnership with the FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; and Homeland Security Investigations.

Arrested were:

• Samuel Savilus, 31, trafficking in fentanyl; fleeing to elude; and possession of drug paraphernalia;

• Billy Banks, 50, trafficking in MDPV; and possession of drug paraphernalia;

• Cynthia Lawrence, 61, possession of cocaine; and possession of drug paraphernalia;

• Juvenile, charged with tampering with evidence; grand theft auto; and burglary of an unoccupied conveyance;

• Simon Pierre, 65, outstanding warrant for fraud-criminal use of personal identification;

• Alvin Slater, 56, outstanding warrant for order revoking pre-trial release-possession of MDMA;

• Miguel Angel Ascencio, 26, possession of ccaine

• Trawon Shemar Weathers, 27, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

In addition, one firearm was seized.

According to the Facebook posting, after four days of coordinated enforcement efforts, Operation Summer Heat has produced the following results:

• 20 adult arrests;

• Four juvenile arrests;

• Seven firearms recovered;

• One illegal machine gun conversion device (“Switch”) recovered;

• One AR-15 style pistol with altered serial numbers recovered.

“The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Pierce Police Department, and participating law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying and apprehending violent offenders, disrupting criminal activity, and removing illegal weapons and drugs from our streets,” according to a statement on the sheriff’s office Facebook page. “Through continued cooperation and proactive enforcement, these agencies will remain focused on enhancing public safety and improving the quality of life for the residents of St. Lucie County.”