Operation ‘Pay Dirt’: 30 arrested in Volusia County on drug, gun charges

VOLUSIA BEACH, Fla. — Investigators said they seized dozens of drugs and guns in a joint effort between Daytona Beach police and the ATF called Operation “Pay Dirt.”

So far, investigators said 60 people are facing charges stemming from the operation and 30 people have been arrested.

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Police chief Jarki Young said some of the suspects identified in the operation are connected to some of the six shootings Volusia County saw in 10 days in November.

Investigators said Operation “Pay Dirt” started over the summer after there was an increase toward the end of 2019 and early 2020.

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“This operation was imperative to getting the violent suspects off our streets as a matter of public safety we are taking a zero-tolerance approach towards violent crime,” Young said.

Young said the department has also been focusing on a big community engagement effort since the increase in shootings. He said the cooperation from the community helped his department put a lot of these cases together.

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