Three people arrested during Citrus County Florida's largest-ever methamphetamine drug seizure
Floral Ciity, Florida - During the early morning hours of February 8, 2023, Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) deputies and members of the agency's Tactical Impact Unit seized the largest quantity of pure, uncut crystal methamphetamine the agency has ever found as a result of a drug search warrant. The warrant was served at the S. Kik Point, Floral City residence of 50 year-old Ginger Sue Mason.
The investigation into this illegal drug activity began with information received by Deputy David Flores about Mason's illicit narcotics trafficking operation. Deputy Flores, in turn, contacted the agency's Tactical Impact Unit (TIU), which sprang into action to obtain a search warrant for the residence.
When detectives served the search warrant at Mason's residence, Mason and two other residents, 38 year-old Alan Joe Hyatt, and 30 year-old Darra Ann Deshea Lee were taken into custody.
Deputies also found a juvenile, who resided in the home, sleeping on a cockroach-infested floor. Deputies determined that the juvenile was frequently exposed to narcotic transactions, and the juvenile was in close proximity to the area where deputies located the narcotics and drug paraphernalia. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) responded to the home to arrange a temporary placement for the child.
In Mason's bedroom, deputies found more than five pounds - 2,275.6 grams - of methamphetamine. Having possession of this amount of narcotics carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison, if she's convicted, according to Sydney Hudson, Community Relations Specialist with the CCSO
Detectives determined that Mason had been selling large quantities of methamphetamine within Citrus County for an extended period of time. The investigation also revealed that Mason frequently traveled to other states, and also to Mexico, to purchase several kilos of methamphetamine, which she then distributed in smaller quantities within Citrus County.
Arrests:
Ginger Sue Mason was charged with trafficking in more than 200 grams of methamphetamine; renting, leasing or owng a structure for the purpose of trafficking in illegal narcotics; and possession of drug paraphernalia - pipes, scales, and baggies, with her total bond set at $106,000.
Alan Joe Hyatt and Darra Ann Deshea Lee were each charged with possession of a controlled substance - 7.1 grams of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia - a glass pipe for smoking methamphetamine, with their total bonds each set at $3,000
"Narcotics investigations, especially that of a larger scale operation, can be time consuming and require hours of investigation in order to secure a successful outcome," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "However, in this case, our team members were able to act swiftly upon the intelligence they gathered, to stop a narcotics trafficker, right here in our community. I am proud of the efforts of these team members, especially that of Deputy Flores, who worked diligently to end this illicit narcotics operation. Let this be a clear message to anyone else trafficking drugs in Citrus County: You, too, may find yourself spending the next 15 years or more of your life behind bars, if you peddle this poison here."
If you think a person may be dealing in illegal narcotics, or know of someone who is struggling with addiction, please call the CCSO's non-emergency line at 352-249-2790 to make a report, or to speak with a member of the agency's Behavioral Health Unit.
View a video regarding this arrest on the CCSO's Facebook page at this link: https://fb.watch/iCHEBlIoP3/.