Video: Deltona Heroin/Fentanyl Dealers Arrested After Undercover Investigation

Date Added: June 30, 2023 1:52 pm

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

DELTONA HEROIN/FENTANYL DEALERS ARRESTED AFTER UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION

A pair of Deltona drug dealers were arrested on several counts of trafficking in fentanyl Thursday following a 3-month investigation into their operation.

Michael Espejo (DOB 7/20/1969) and Luis Collazo (DOB 3/13/1966) were the subjects of an investigation into drug activity at 725 Hartley Ave., Deltona. VSO detectives from the Deltona Narcotics Enforcement Team (DNET) with the assistance of agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted several controlled purchases brokered by Espejo and completed by Collazo at that address.

Over the course of the investigation, detectives bought/seized 64 grams of fentanyl from the dealers.

On Thursday, members of DNET and DEA were joined by the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force and patrol deputies for a search warrant at the house, where another 8.9 grams of fentanyl, 15 grams of cocaine and 9 grams of Alprazolam were seized along with THC gummies and $1,250 cash.

Espejo and Collazo are each charged with 3 counts of trafficking in fentanyl. Espejo is additionally charged with 3 counts of sale and delivery of heroin/fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a park.

Both defendants have previously served time in the Florida prison system for narcotics sales and other charges. Espejo’s current charges carry a bond of $850,000, and Collazo’s $700,000.

The Sheriff’s Office also recently partnered with several agencies in a joint investigation into a Central Florida heroin/fentanyl trafficking organization that resulted in more than 30 arrests and the seizure of more than 2,300 grams of fentanyl in addition to black tar heroin, meth, cocaine and other drugs. Sheriff Mike Chitwood reiterated that these investigations will continue across Volusia County and Central Florida with the help of local, state and federal partners.