Lee County, FL – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 28-year-old Derek Church, a suspect in the 2016 Club Blu double homicide, on major drug trafficking charges following a months-long undercover investigation. Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced the arrest, calling it a major win for public safety in the county.
The Arrest: Undercover Operation Leads to Drug Trafficking Charges
According to Sheriff Marceno, narcotics detectives conducted multiple undercover drug buys and surveillance operations over several months before taking Church into custody.
“This is a very violent felon awaiting trial on two counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder,” Marceno said during a press conference Monday. “Taking him off the streets is a huge win to keep the people safe in Lee County.”
During the investigation, deputies found Church in possession of 14,443 grams of ecstasy, 812 grams of methamphetamine, and 174 grams of fentanyl. Authorities described the amount of drugs as “deadly quantities” capable of causing widespread harm.
Background: Club Blu Shooting Case and Pending Murder Trial
Church has been a key suspect in the 2016 Club Blu shooting, which left two people dead and several others injured outside a Fort Myers nightclub. He was released earlier on a $750,000 bond while awaiting trial on two counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder.
Following his latest arrest, a judge revoked his bond during his first court appearance on November 1, ordering that Church remain in custody without bond pending his upcoming Club Blu case hearing scheduled for November 20.
Investigation Details: Massive Quantities of Deadly Narcotics Seized
Sheriff Marceno detailed that the undercover operation tracked Church’s movements across Lee County, including visits to suspected drug houses and controlled purchases by detectives.
“That’s serious, serious narcotics,” Marceno said. “When we take people like that off the street, every single time, we save lives.”
The drugs seized included methamphetamine, MDMA (Molly), and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that continues to drive overdose deaths nationwide. Marceno emphasized the lethal potency of fentanyl, citing statistics from the DEA that seven out of 10 pills on the street contain the deadly substance.
“Just a grain of salt—if you touch it—can stop your heart,” Marceno warned. “When you’re talking about grams and grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and MDMA, it’s absolutely certain those drugs would have killed people.”
Law Enforcement Strategy and Crime Reduction Efforts
Sheriff Marceno credited the county’s expanded narcotics division and its partnerships with State Attorney Amira Fox’s office and the NET Force initiative for recent successes in combating organized drug operations.
He noted that Lee County’s crime and homicide rates are now at historic lows, attributing the decline to aggressive targeting of drug traffickers and violent offenders.
“Our crime rate has never been lower. Homicides have never been lower,” Marceno said. “And why is that? Because we put drug dealers behind bars. People rob, kill, and steal for drugs.”
Warnings to Dealers and Support for Addicts
Marceno issued a stern warning to drug dealers across the county, promising an unrelenting crackdown on trafficking networks.
“The best thing people can do if they’re dealing drugs is leave Lee County,” he said. “We’re not going to tolerate it. We’re going to find you, we’re going to hunt you down, and we’re going to charge you.”
He added that the Sheriff’s Office also offers assistance to individuals struggling with addiction, including medical care, counseling, and recovery programs for those who are incarcerated or reach out for help.
“If the narcotic you deal results in someone dying, we charge you in full force,” Marceno emphasized. “But if you’re struggling with addiction, we will get you the help you need.”
Conclusion
With the arrest of Derek Church, Lee County authorities say they have prevented potentially thousands of lethal doses of narcotics from reaching the streets. As Church now faces both drug trafficking and murder-related charges, Sheriff Marceno vowed continued vigilance in protecting residents from violent offenders and drug-related crime.
What are your thoughts on this case and Lee County’s crackdown on drug trafficking? Share your opinions in the comments below.
