Broward County violent crime crackdown nets over 50 arrests, seizure of guns, drugs and cash

By Wayne K. Roustan

DEERFIELD BEACH — A crackdown on violent crimes and gang-related shootings in Broward County has resulted in dozens of arrests, and the seizing of guns, drugs and cash, the Broward Sheriff ’s Office announced this past week.

Operation Green Shield ran from Oct. 26 through Nov. 16 in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and surrounding unincorporated northern areas of the county.

There were 54 felony arrests, including 22 gang members; 27 guns seized, seven of which were reported stolen; over two kilograms of heroin, 211 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, and 116 grams of fentanyl seized; and $359,000 in illicit money confiscated, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said at a news conference Tuesday.

“There are fewer violent criminals, including a number of gang members, guns and drugs off the streets as a result of this operation.” he said.

Among those arrested were Jermaine Ta’Quan Garland, 27, and Breon Rashad Kinder, 30, who are facing 27 charges between them, records show.

“These guys are out there, committing crimes, selling drugs, committing violence and they have access to handguns,” said Lt. Andrea Tianga. “This is what we really focused on in this operation was targeting the violence.”

Among the items seized were assault rifles and handguns with magazines that held more than 40 bullets, and some of the ammunition was particularly dangerous, she said.

“There were a couple of shootings in Deerfield that involved FN rounds,” Tianga said. “They’re actually called the ’cop killer’ [bullets] because they are said to penetrate our bullet proof vests.”

The Broward Sheriff ’s operation was a multiagency effort, but Tianga said it was the public’s tips that were crucial.

“Unfortunately a lot of people don’t want to come forward [because] they fear retaliation,” she said. “So, a lot of them will come to us on the side and say, ’You didn’t hear it from me but Garland and his associates are responsible for those shootings.’ ”

Ho me l a n d S e c u r i t y Investigations, the Bureau o f A l c o h o l , To b a c c o and Firearms, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Probation and Parole, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Lauderhill and Boca Raton police departments were also involved in the operation.

Operation Green Shield made 54 felony arrests and seized heroin, cocaine and fentanyl, $359,000 in illicit money and 27 firearms, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said.