Daytona Beach Police Execute Early Morning Raids on Alleged Drug Houses, Detaining Dozens

Daytona Beach Police executed high-intensity SWAT operations at two residential properties early Tuesday morning, detaining nearly 40 individuals in a crackdown on alleged drug activity and public nuisance violations. The simultaneous raids, which commenced shortly before 6:00 a.m., targeted homes located on North Oleander and North Hollywood avenues.

According to Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young, law enforcement officers removed 28 individuals from the residence on North Oleander Avenue and an additional eight people from the property on North Hollywood Avenue. Chief Young stated that the North Oleander location has been officially declared a public health and safety hazard and will be boarded up to prevent re-entry.

Authorities described the operation as a necessary response to persistent complaints from neighbors regarding aggressive behavior and suspected narcotics distribution at the locations. Chief Young characterized the situation at the North Oleander home as “a nuisance property to the fifth power,” noting that the issues extend beyond narcotics to include severe mental health crises among the occupants. The Chief indicated that despite previous interventions, the property owner had allowed individuals to remain on the premises, complicating efforts to permanently secure the site.

This operation follows a prior search warrant executed at the North Oleander property in January, involving the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Police reports from that incident confirmed the seizure of a significant quantity of methamphetamine. While multiple arrests were made during the January operation, officials noted that most subjects had since bonded out of custody.

Community Safety and Abatement Strategy

The recurrence of police activity at these specific locations highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when addressing “nuisance properties” where property rights, tenancy laws, and criminal activity intersect. By designating the North Oleander residence a public health and safety issue, authorities are leveraging municipal codes to physically secure the structure, a strategy often employed when traditional criminal enforcement fails to permanently abate illicit activity. This approach aims to disrupt the cycle of arrest and release that has characterized previous interventions at the site. It is important to note that all individuals detained or arrested in connection with these operations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.