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OKEECHOBEE — On Friday morning, Sept. 9, the Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Task Force made two traffic stops on a motorhome and another vehicle that ended up associated with the motorhome, resulting in the arrest of five individuals.  

Surveillance of this group started by the task force, stemming from numerous citizen complaints within the KOA that the group may be dealing drugs.

During surveillance as the the vehicles involved were leaving the park, narcotics detectives conducted drug interdiction, found probable cause, and stopped the vehicles.  

During the investigation, the five people identified below were arrested on various charges, including, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of cocaine, possession of LSD and possession of a controlled substance.

Those arrested are:

Joseph Abruzz, 60;

Joshua Burton, 37;

Martin Garcia, 37;

Bobbie Sue Hajen, 36;

Darlene Flesche, 36.

Joseph Abruzz, the owner of the motorhome, received a notice of intent to forfeiture. All were taken into custody and booked into the Okeechobee County Detention Facility pending their first appearance.

OCSO thanks the concerned citizens who called in the tips to the Narcotics Task Force phone number 863-763-7787, the management of KOA for their assistance during the surveillance and the tireless efforts of our Narcotics Task Force members.