Operation Spring Cleaning Takes Down A Prescription Drug Trafficking Ring In Port St. Lucie
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - - The Drug Enforcement (DEA) working in conjunction with the Port St. Lucie Police (PSLPD), Special Investigations Unit, initiated an investigation into the drug trafficking (DTO) of Kevin Piscottano and his associates. This eight month investigation resulted in the arrest of 28 state defendants. This investigation also resulted in the seizure of 24 vehicles, 239 pills of (Dilaudid), 16 morphine pills, 126 oxycodone pills, 2.7 grams cocaine, 7 grams marijuana, $2,897.00 and two guns.
The following individuals were arrested in this investigation: on April 2, 2013, from Port St. (PSL) Kevin Piscottano, Chris Piscottano, Raul Maurice, Melissa Hardecker, Richard Zappier, and Katharina Von Watts. Arrested on May 2, 2013, from PSL: Boyd Jones, Jessica Bifaro, Maurice Jones, Michael Zappier, Karlene Schwartz, Natasha Hunar, Anthony Piscottano, Ronald Meese, Michael Abbott, Robert Matt, Alfred Volponi, Harold Chitty, Mary Guidice, Bridget Potter, Candice Miller, Jean Lizzotte, Diana Shearer, Misty Fisher, Geralyn Varricchio, and from Ft. Pierce: Lindsey Grantham and Anthony Sgarlato. On May 8, 2013, Justin Robert Phoenix from PSL turned himself in to the PSLPD.
The following five individuals remain at large: David Wayne (PSL), Christopher (PSL), Jason Joseph (PSL), Gene Lee (Ft Pierce), and Deanna L (PSL).
These defendants face state charges ranging from Florida RICO, trafficking in controlled substances, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, conspiracy to sell/deliver a controlled substance, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
In August 2012, the PSLPD Special Investigations Unit received numerous complaints regarding suspicious activities taking place at Kevin Piscottano’s residence in Port St. Lucie. During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Kevin Piscottano, Maurice Jones, Raul Maurice, and Michael Zappier recruited and sponsored local residents to obtain prescriptions and get them filled, so that they would be able to illegally distribute a large volume of prescription medications out of their residence for profit. This DTO was distributing approximately 2500 hydormorphone and 300 oxycodone pills a month. This investigation is ongoing and more arrests are pending.
This investigation was conducted by the DEA Port St. Lucie Resident Office and the Port St. Lucie Police Department with the assistance from the United States Federal Marshals Task Force.
