By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer

St. Cloud Police officers today conducted a massive sweep of the city and arrested 20 people on narcotic charges in Operation Tear Drop.

The months-long investigation into St. Cloud's illegal drug scene began in April with numerous complaints from business owners and residents citywide, Sgt. Kirk Zilke said.

“We're taking care of the problems they're concerned with,” he said. “It boosts the morale of the city.”

The drug activity was widespread and not confined to one pocket of the city, Zilke added.

Both buyers and sellers were rounded up at their houses or in “random locations near their homes,” Zilke said.

The charges mostly stem from sale and delivery and trafficking of various drugs, including cocaine, oxycodone, hydromorphine and cannabis. However, a handgun also was recovered from Michael Smith June 16 during an undercover drug bust connected to the operation.

Eighteen suspects are St. Cloud residents; one is a Kissimmee man and one is from Orlando.

The suspects include: Keith M. Rodgers, 22; William A. Fluty, 20; Andrew M. Khan, 21; Christian J. Edwards, 19, of Kissimmee; Andy E. Carter III, 22; Ronald R. Begley, 24; Cecilia M. Senter, 36; Michael J. Smith, 22; Brandon K. Ceballos, 21; Jonathan C. Blasdell, 20; Robert D. Fleck, 24; Johnny R. Hinton, Jr., 24; Kevin M. Guglielmini, 24; Destin C. Swope, 22; Gordon T. Cartwright, 33, of Orlando; Christopher T. Ware, 46; Anthony J. Hawes, 23; Ashley S. Crouch, 20; Luis A. Martinez-Lopez, 33; and Steven M. Laird, 43.

“(The suspects) are not all connected,” Zilke said.

Several suspects still have warrants out for their arrests in connection with this operation, Zilke added.

St. Cloud's Investigation Services Division collaborated with the Osceola County Sheriff's Office Narcotic Enforcement Team and the Osceola County Investigative Bureau, of which St. Cloud officers are members of, for the investigation.

All 20 suspects were transported to the Osceola County Jail.

Check back at www.aroundosceola.com for updates.