YEAR LONG INVESTIGATION INVOLVING SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES COMPLETE OPERATION FIX-A-FLAT, SHUTTING DOWN LARGEST HEROIN RING IN MEMORY ON THE TREASURE COAST
15-ARRESTS, HEROIN, and ASSETS SEIZED
It started with a Martin County traffic stop in November of 2014. Today, the largest known heroin operation plaguing Martin, St. Lucie, and parts of Brevard County is out of business.
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The multi-jurisdictional investigation involved the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, Stuart Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Office. The operation stemmed from a traffic stop where a subject was arrested and heroin was seized from the vehicle. At that point, the search to track the heroin ring leaders began.
OPERATION FIX-A-FLAT
The investigation was termed “OPERATION FIX-A-FLAT”, because the local leader of the criminal enterprise, Ruben Massas, was operating the heroin ring out of East Stuart Tire Center, located at 1205 SE Dixie Cutoff Road in Stuart. Ruben Massas was identified as the leader of the Ruben Massas Narcotics Organization. He had more than two dozen people assisting him in his criminal enterprise.
ARRESTS
Detectives served three search warrants and made more than one dozen arrests in the case so far. Charges range from trafficking and the purchase of heroin, to possession and sale of heroin. Suspect bonds range from $5,000.00 to $860,000.00. Throughout the investigation, more than 100- heroin transactions were documented. One hundred and twenty one grams of heroin, and 15-vehicles have been seized so far. Any assets seized during “OPERATION FIX-A-FLAT” will be sold as forfeitures.
Treasure Coast Officials have seen an increase in heroin use in our area, prompting concerns of a local distribution operation.
“This long term operation was very detailed, requiring a lot of manpower and hours,” said Martin County Sheriff William Snyder. “The most important factor in putting an end to this growing heroin empire, was the incredible cooperation and working relationship we’ve had with our law enforcement partners at the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, DEA, Stuart Police Department, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and State Attorney’s Office.”
