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Meth trafficking ring with ties to Mexican Cartel busted in Clay County

Clay County, FL. — A meth trafficking ring in Clay County was busted by the DEA’s regional Jacksonville office, and Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

Investigators say the Clay County meth trafficking operation had direct ties to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico.

Nicholas Mattox, 51, and Keith Williams, 61, have been sentenced to federal prison.

Mattox was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by five years of probation.

Williams was sentenced to five years prison, and five years' probation.

Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Mike Dubet, spoke in a joint press briefing on Tuesday to announce the findings of the investigation that began in 2019.

The men were sentenced in 2020.

“This particular meth seizure was 98% crystal meth, that right there in itself is an indicator that this was produced in Mexico in these super labs,” said Dubet. “The days of, you know, people cooking up meth, in their ‘Breaking Bad’ days, are over.”

Dubet says the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the rates of drugs.

He says the street value of what was recovered would come out to about $600,000 today.

“Pre-COVID, about $60,000 wholesale, about $100,000 street value. In today’s prices, about $600,000 in street value,” said Dubet.

CCSO narcotics lieutenant, Dominic Paniccia, and CCSO Special Operations Chief, Wayne McKinney, who oversee narcotics operations, were also present during the briefing.

“In July of 2019, this task force began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization, with ties to Clay County, that was being operated by Nicholas Mattox,” said Cook.

“During the investigation, multiple drug buys were made from Mattox. The DEA obtained a federal search warrant for Mattox’s residence, and seized over 14 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, and approximately $32,200 in U.S. currency.”

Cook says the investigation into Mattox led investigators to Williams, who was dealing meth in Clay County.

“Investigators learned that Keith Williams was being supplied kilogram quantities of crystal methamphetamine by Nicholas Mattox,” said Cook.

“The Clay County Sherriff’s Office obtained a state search warrant for Williams' residence. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives located over 400 grams of crystal methamphetamine, which Williams admitted to purchasing from Mattox. This case was presented to the US Attorney’s office, and federal indictments were secured for both Mattox and Williams.”

Cook says a total of 20 pounds of crystal meth, and $32,000, were recovered during the investigation.

Dubet says their investigation led them to Atlanta, which he described as a known drug trafficking hub in the Southeastern United States.

“Our investigation led us back to the Atlanta area, which is a major hub of methamphetamine trafficking for the Mexican cartels,” said Dubet. “That is the area that supplies, primarily the south united states with meth and other drugs.”

Dubet said in some instances, couriers were used to transport the drugs, while in other cases, the suspects would drive on their own to transport the drugs.

Action News Jax asked if there could future local arrests in connection to this case. Dubet says there are leads CCSO and the DEA are looking into.