OKEECHOBEE -- Sheriff Noel E. Stephen would like to thank all departments that assisted with the recent checkpoint operation. 

Both the Florida Highway Patrol and Okeechobee City Police assisted several officers on the scene, running from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

During the operation, two drivers were arrested for DUI, one arrested for possession of methamphetamine, one arrested for possession of THC resin, three arrested for no driver's license, and two arrested for Driving While License Suspended or Revoked. 

We also used verbal warnings, written warnings, and citations for non-criminal, civil violations. 

One person had an expired tag for more than six months and received a citation; another had an expired tag less than six months. Three others received written warnings for equipment issues, while two received Uniformed Traffic Citations for failure to use due care, and the other received NO DL upon command. 

After the checkpoint was concluded, personnel participated in a "saturation patrol." 

During the saturation patrols, one person was arrested for DUI, one for Marijuana more than 20 grams, and another for operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

The Uniformed Traffic Citations (UTC) or Written OCSO Warning (WW) where as follows:

• Equipment issues, four WW,
• Failure to make a complete stop (stop sign), one WW, one verbal warning, 
• No seat belt, one WW,
• Failure to maintain a single lane, one WW,
• No DL upon demand, one UTC,  
• No proof of insurance, one UTC, one WW,
• Speed, one WW ,
• No vehicle registration, WW .

The operation was deemed a success, and we thank everyone for your patience and understanding if you came through the checkpoint. We thank our community for your continued support.