Undercover detectives with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested 11 people after a months-long sting targeting drug sales at the Metro Inn in Jacksonville’s Brentwood neighborhood, authorities said. The probe, which began in January, zeroed in on the synthetic stimulant commonly known as flakka, according to law enforcement. Two additional arrest warrants remain outstanding, and the operation follows years of neighborhood complaints about thefts, violence and open drug dealing near the Golfair Boulevard motel.
According to News4JAX, undercover detectives made multiple controlled purchases of flakka from people selling out of rooms at the Metro Inn over several months. After gathering evidence from those buys and surveillance, investigators moved in with coordinated arrests this week. Officials asked anyone who sees suspicious drug activity to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500.
"JSO says 11 people were arrested and two additional arrest warrants are pending," News4JAX reports. Those arrested include Zabarin Love, 44; Shameka Reed, 37; Marquis Williams, 38; Kayla Dixon, 32; Daniel White, 21; Waymond Hamilton, 32; Tiffany Charles, 37; Michael Handy, 37; Alea Smith, 31; Shatoria Harrison, 36; and Troyane Pinkard, 48. At this point, the sheriff’s office has not released the exact charges for each person or whether prosecutors will pursue trafficking counts.
Metro Inn’s History Of Crime And Calls For Service
JSO says officers have long responded to repeated calls to the Metro Inn for drug activity, theft and violence. Local reporting earlier this summer documented a fatal shooting at a Golfair Boulevard motel, underscoring why residents have pushed for more patrols and enforcement, as reported by Action News Jax. Community members say the motel has long been a magnet for crime and that sweeps like this one are part of sustained pressure from law enforcement and neighbors.
What Happens Next In The Cases
JSO says detectives are continuing the investigation and that two arrest warrants remain outstanding. The suspects who have been taken into custody will be processed through the Duval County booking system and referred to prosecutors. The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information to call 904-630-0500 or submit tips online to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors will review the evidence and determine charges, which may depend on lab results and witness cooperation.
Why Flakka Has Authorities On Edge
Flakka is a synthetic cathinone (alpha-PVP) that has been linked to severe agitation, hallucinations and violent or erratic behavior, which is one reason detectives focus on it during undercover buys. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies alpha-PVP as a Schedule I substance, and public health experts warn synthetic cathinones can cause dangerous medical complications such as hyperthermia, seizures and organ damage. DEA Diversion Control provides further guidance on these risks.
