A case that sparked outrage and went viral on social media shook Florida. A 40-year-old former police officer and teacher was arrested for trafficking fentanyl, one of the deadliest drugs in the United States, following an operation led by her own former boss in the special forces.
The woman was identified as Amber Williamson, who was arrested on January 23 in Daytona Beach, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities accuse her of drug possession and armed trafficking, crimes considered high-impact offenses in the state.
SWAT operation in Daytona Beach: arrest caught on video
The arrest was carried out at her home following an investigation that confirmed her active involvement in the sale of fentanyl in Florida. Williamson was arrested along with Marcus Plowden, 28, an alleged drug dealer and her former romantic partner.
Due to the dangerous nature of the case, authorities deployed SWAT team officers, who stormed the apartment and demanded the surrender of both suspects. Images of the arrest, showing former colleagues of Amber participating in the detention, quickly spread on social media.
During the operation, one of the agents said to him directly: “Amber, you know the good guys always win, right?”.
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Outrage over former police officer involved in fentanyl sales
The case sparked a strong reaction within the security forces. Authorities expressed their dismay that someone who swore to protect the community and worked with children ended up involved in synthetic drug trafficking.
“It’s not only disgusting that someone who vowed to protect the streets of Daytona Beach is selling this poison; fentanyl is destroying families and claiming thousands of lives”, special forces members said after the arrest.
Fentanyl in the United States: a crisis that won’t stop
Fentanyl is considered one of the main drivers of the overdose crisis in the United States, with thousands of deaths each year. Cases like that of Amber Williamson reflect the gravity of the problem and the reach of distribution networks, even among individuals who were previously part of security institutions.
The authorities confirmed that the legal proceedings against both detainees are ongoing, and severe prison sentences cannot be ruled out due to the nature of the crime and the use of weapons.