Beginning in 2018, the DEA and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office partnered in an investigation into a Drug Trafficking Organization responsible for distributing kilogram amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl within Okaloosa County.
Named Operation Songbird, the years long investigation utilized numerous investigative techniques to identify members of the Drug Trafficking Organization and locations utilized by the Drug Trafficking Organization, according to the OCSO.
The investigation revealed that Joshua Kim BAILEY was the head of the DTO selling large amounts of heroin and methamphetamine to various individuals within Okaloosa County for further distribution.
In May 2019, six search warrants were executed on locations utilized by the Drug Trafficking Organization. These search warrants resulted in the seizure of:
- 31 lbs crystal methamphetamine, 4.9 kg heroin, 2.5 kg cocaine, 1.5 kg marijuana, and 1.6 kg suspected fentanyl pressed into approximately 5,000 Xanax and 1,000 oxycodone pills.
After the execution of search warrants, the investigation continued to identify BAILEY’s source of supply. Through various investigative techniques, it was determined that BAILEY’s source of supply was from Atlanta, Georgia. Furthermore, it was determined that the supplier was providing BAILEY with approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and four kilograms of heroin every two weeks for BAILEY to distribute within Okaloosa County.
In January 2021, with assistance from the DEA Atlanta Field Office, members of the DEA Pensacola Office and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrested the supplier in Atlanta, Georgia, for Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 1 kilogram of heroin, 400 grams or more of Fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
As a result, on August 25, 2022, the supplier was convicted and sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. BAILEY was sentenced to 300 months, along with other members of the organization.
Total Seizures:
- Methamphetamine – Approximately 18 kilograms
- Heroin – Approximately 8.4 kilograms
- Cocaine – Approximately 2.8 kilograms
- Marijuana – Approximately 5.4 kilograms
- Misc. Pharmaceuticals – 2.5 kilograms
- US Currency – $217,153
- Vehicles – $133,037
- Jewelry – $157,315.00
