MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Eight people have been charged in a narcotics trafficking investigation that’s related to a SWAT team response that occurred earlier this week at a home in Miami Gardens.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, seven of the defendants were charged in a 23-count indictment for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, fentanyl and oxycodone, while the eighth defendant is charged with being a felon in unlawful possession of a firearm.
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The suspects charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school are:
· Michael Donaldson, 37, of Clearview
· Leo Gilbert 35, of Miami Gardens
· Jamare Andre Gardner, a/k/a “Maury,” 25, of Miami Gardens
· Deshun Richard James, 36
· Jose Albert Ruiz, 34, of Miami
· Kim Whitehurst, a/k/a “A-Boy,” 31, of Miami
· Hasani Nesbitt, a/k/a “Get Right,” 45, of Miami Gardens
Donte Ike Gosha, 37, of Miami Gardens, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The announcement of the charges comes two days after Sky 10 was above a home in Miami Gardens as police and multiple federal agencies served a warrant at a home.
Miami Gardens police confirmed at the time that a federal operation was unfolding at a home in the area of Northwest Seventh Avenue and 179th Terrace.
Police officers were spotted at the scene along with FBI agents and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Sky 10 was above the scene as a man was placed in handcuffs. A couple of children were spotted nearby.
A woman who asked not to show her face told Local 10 News that she is the mother of the man taken into custody and was sleeping when it all went down.
“They came in with big guns, dogs, and were just hollering and screaming,” she said.
The woman said agents tried busting a window and the front door, but couldn’t break though because of the hurricane glass, so they used a saw to gain entry.
“They claimed they knocked, but we didn’t hear no knock,” she said.
Police said the warrant was served peacefully and there were no threats or injuries.
The Justice Department confirmed that Donaldson, Gosha, Whitehurst, Gardner and Gilbert were arrested Monday in Miami-Dade County.
They made their initial appearances in federal court on Tuesday.
According to the Justice Department, the FBI, Miami Gardens Police Department and the ATF investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Chattah is prosecuting the case.