A tip two years ago from a concerned neighbor started an investigation that came to a close this week with deputies taking down what they call a dangerous drug gang.
Operation Glass House focused on the Glasser Avenue area near UCF, but it spanned across east Orange County.
Investigators said the gang was trafficking heroin, molly, cocaine and marijuana. The investigation began with a neighborhood tip in June 2013.
But in June 2014, deputies realized this was a much bigger case, partnering with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to make this case stick.
“Sometimes it takes patience to work upward to the point where we’re able to put individuals in jail for lengthy periods of time, have the type of results we have today," said Sheriff Jerry Demings. "So just trust that when you call your local law enforcement agencies that they are working these cases, and sometimes it just takes time to get to the point where we’re able to make significant arrests.”
We're told this was an important drug case of dozens of recent heroin overdose deaths in Orange County and investigators believe many of those deaths may be connected to this gang.