In their continued effort at dismantling, eradicating and arresting dope dealers, drug agents have arrested four people and seized drugs, cash, guns and ammunition from several locations.

From the raid, law enforcement officials found heroin; powder cocaine; mushrooms; THC wax; marijuana; a variety of handguns and a rifle; ammunition, $118,640 in cash; and multiple drug paraphernalia such as scales and grinders.

Those taken into custody were: 28-year-old Ryan Shane Raymond, of Summerfield, who was arrested at a Summerfield residence; his friend, Summer Wolfrom Gutierrez, 39, of Ocala was arrested near the E. Forst King Street home; Rayshaud Jacquise Keyon Jenkins, 27, also of Ocala, was arrested at an Ocala residence; and Jeffrey Jose Reyes, 46, of Dunnellon, at a business located off State Road 200.

The four face a number of charges between them that includes armed trafficking in marijuana, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

At the start of the year, members of the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team or UDEST, consisting of local, state and federal officials, targeted two drug organizations. Authorities believe the group was importing and distributing anywhere from four to six kilograms of heroin, a kilogram of crystal methamphetamine and 40 pounds of marijuana a month.

Drug agents name the two factions Big, Big Bosses and Summer’s Last Stand.

From their investigation, drug agents discovered four locations that were used to traffic the drugs. The places used were: 14901 SE 70th Avenue Road in Summerfield, which agents said is Raymond’s residence; 4108 E. Fort King Street in Ocala, which is Gutierrez’s home; 614 NE 12th Ave, also in Ocala, which sits across the street from Wyomina Park Elementary School; and the Mystery Smoke Box at 8602 State Road 200, Unit N in Ocala.

Officials also learned that Raymond and Gutierrez were the reported leaders of the alleged organizations.

UDEST officials said when SWAT Team members busted Raymond’s Summerfield home, he jumped through a bedroom window at the north-side of the residence with his naked 4-year-old son, who he tried to use as a human shield.

On March 18, drug officials, together with the Ocala Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Citrus County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Teams, served four simultaneous search warrants at the business and three residences where they recovered the drugs, cash, guns and ammunition.

“We remain committed to fulfilling our obligation to our community with the utmost degree of integrity and professionalism,” said UDEST Director Capt. Corey Taylor of the Ocala Police Department said.

Three years ago, local drug officials began noticing a deadly trend of drug overdose deaths that came from a mixture of fentanyl and heroin.

Authorities decided to find the people responsible for pushing the product, while at the same time educating and protecting.

Called Operation Life Saver, drug officials investigated and arrested those involved in obtaining and selling drugs to the public.

UDEST agents have taken numerous drugs off the street from at least five separate criminal groups connected to the illegal narcotics trade. Some of the drugs confiscated were heroin, crystal meth, MDMA, synthetic marijuana, marijuana, and crack and powder cocaine. During that time, officials have seized 104 firearms and arrested 93 drug traffickers.

Some of the people taken into custody are brothers Angel, Andys and Artime Marin, and James Brown from an operation called Papa got a brand new bag.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.