By-Line: Joseph Bober, Public Information Office FCSO

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, SWAT team, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, joined by Sheriff Rick Staly, served a narcotics-related search warrant at 17 Winchester Road in the Ormond Beach area of Flagler County in the early morning of May 16, closing another drug house; arresting a drug trafficker; and seizing drugs, weapons, and vehicles. The search warrant was the culmination of a five-month undercover operation.

During the search of the residence, SIU detectives located and seized cocaine, almost a kilogram of marijuana, methamphetamine, seven firearms, three vehicles, and over $5,000 in cash.

Sheriff Rick Staly plants a “This Drug House Closed for Business” sign outside the residence at 17 Winchester Road in Ormond Beach.

“This poison peddler was living a pretty bougie lifestyle, with a big house, multiple cars, guns, and a lot of cash on hand. Unfortunately for him, thanks to our detectives’ hard work, he’ll now have to experience a drastic downgrade in accommodations during his stay at the Green Roof Inn,” said Sheriff Staly. “I commend our detectives for their work on this investigation and our SWAT team and federal partners for safely serving this search warrant and helping us put this armed drug trafficker behind bars. If you are a poison peddler doing business in Flagler County, whether you are living a bougie or in the hood, I suggest you pack up and hit the road because we’ll find you next.”

Detectives arrested Leonard Fries Jr., 49, of Ormond Beach, for armed trafficking of cocaine; possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; possession of cathinone with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; possession of hashish with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver; resisting arrest without violence; and two counts of manufacture or delivery of narcotics cultivation paraphernalia. He was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held without bond, until his first appearance. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be pending.

Leonard Fries Jr. (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility mugshot)

Anyone with information on suspected narcotics activity or drug dealers in Flagler County is encouraged to contact FCSO by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477), emailing TIPS@flaglersheriff.com, or submitting a tip through the FCSO website or app.

View video from the search warrant.