Florida Sheriff Says Massive Drug, Weapons Bust Resembled ‘Breaking Bad on Steroids’ [WATCH]

Florida authorities announced a record-breaking seizure of illegal substances and weapons following an investigation into a criminal operation that Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey compared to “‘Breaking Bad’ on steroids,” as reported by Fox News.

The case centers on 26-year-old Maxwell Horvath, who is now facing a long list of charges tied to weapons possession and the production of illegal substances.

According to Ivey, the investigation began in September, when agents purchased illegal substances derived from kratom that contained 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH.

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During the controlled purchase, Horvath reportedly provided agents with a tour of his business, Overseas Organics, which authorities say was producing a substance described as 13 times more potent than morphine.

“He’s proud of his business,” Ivey said in a video posted to Facebook.

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“This thing looked like ‘Breaking Bad’ on steroids. … He had it lined up with all sorts of different chambers and rooms and sterile environments. … They were taking [the substance], extracting it, putting it in compressing machines.”

Ivey said Horvath believed that shipping the product out of Florida placed him outside the law. “Horvath knows it’s illegal but thinks he’s circumventing the system,” Ivey said.

“He thinks that because you go there and make a purchase, or you make a purchase online, and he ships it out of the state of Florida, he is not violating the law. Well, trick or treat, he is.”

Authorities raided Horvath’s facility following the controlled buy and reported seizing roughly 92,000 pounds of illegal substances valued at about $4.7 million.

Investigators also discovered military-grade weapons and explosive components, including five IEDs, 12 rifles, 17 pistols, three shotguns, two fully automatic submachine guns, a short-barreled rifle and revolver, three suppressors, thousands of rounds of ammunition, grenade simulators, and fifty pounds of precursor chemicals used to make explosives.

“We’re not just talking about drugs,” said City of Palm Bay Police Chief Mariano Augello.

“We’re talking about explosive devices, things that the military are utilizing and other countries are utilizing all over the world, to take out populations of people.”

Ivey said the operation represented the largest seizure of its kind in the United States. “This is what danger looks like right here,” he said.

“Everything that you see … is a red flag for disaster. … The guy was making his own suppressors, fully automatic weapons, explosive devices. This guy was either looking to engage in war or looking to arm and furnish to those that are. [He] even had a 50 cal on a tripod ready to do serious damage. … Those indictments will make sure that he spends the rest of his life right where he deserves, and that’s in prison.”

Horvath’s criminal history dates back to his first federal arrest at age 17. He previously served two years in prison and two years on federal probation for possession of an explosive device and MDMA trafficking.

“[At] 26 years old, [he is] already pretty much a career offender,” Augello said. “He has no regard for the sanctity of life.”

Fox News’ Heather Lacy contributed to the report.

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