A coordinated multi-agency enforcement effort in South Florida has resulted in federal charges against 31 individuals in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, according to officials from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the ATF. The operation, called “Operation Showdown,” targeted violent offenders and weapons traffickers over a two-month period.
Launched in April, Operation Showdown saw agents from the ATF and other federal and local agencies deployed across South Florida. Their aim: to confront illegal possession and trafficking of firearms and narcotics. The operation featured enhanced tactical, technical, and undercover support.
- 31 arrests: All individuals are facing federal firearms or narcotics trafficking charges.
- 80 firearms: The cache included automatic and semiautomatic weapons, rifles, handguns, and machine-gun conversion devices. Authorities also seized approximately 900 rounds of ammunition.
- 10 kilograms of illegal drugs: Confiscated substances included fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, oxycodone and other dangerous drugs.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne stated, “Drugs and guns continue to fuel the violence that threatens the safety of our community… South Florida will not be defined by fear but by safety and justice.” He credited the success of Operation Showdown to strong collaboration among agencies.
Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge Gordon Mallory emphasized the initiative’s impact on removing violent offenders and traffickers from the streets. He praised the ongoing partnerships with federal and local law enforcement.
In addition to the ATF and U.S. Attorney’s Office, the operation included support from the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Broward Sheriff’s Office, Miami‑Dade Sheriff’s Office, and Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
Federal prosecutors from the Southern District’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section, led by Deputy Chief Sharad Motiani, are overseeing the cases. A host of Assistant U.S. Attorneys have been assigned to prosecute a series of indictments and complaints in court—including cases against individuals identified by names such as Bethel, Breedlove, Graham, Harris, and others—each now facing serious federal charges.
This initiative is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide DOJ campaign combining the resources of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods. The goal: to dismantle cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and other violent threats to communities.
