PALM BAY — Authorities in Brevard County have arrested a 26-year-old man after uncovering what they described as one of the largest drug operations in the state’s history, seizing more than 92,000 pounds of illegal substances along with an arsenal of firearms and explosive devices.
Maxwell Horvath was taken into custody on Wednesday following a raid on a property, the Brevard County sheriff’s office said. The bust included massive quantities of 7-hydroxymitragynine, commonly known as 7-OH, a potent derivative of kratom that’s classified as a controlled substance.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey called the operation “Breaking Bad on steroids” during a news conference. “This isn’t just a drug bust; this is a full-blown manufacturing and distribution empire,” Ivey said. Investigators found 36 firearms, several of which Horvath was prohibited from possessing due to a prior felony conviction.
Horvath, a resident of Melbourne, has a criminal history that includes a 2017 federal conviction for possession of an explosive device, for which he served two years in prison. He now faces 36 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, along with charges related to drug trafficking, manufacturing explosives, and other offenses. Federal charges are also pending, authorities said.
The investigation began after tips about suspicious activity at the site, leading to surveillance and a search warrant. Deputies discovered the drugs packaged and ready for distribution, hidden amid a stockpile of weapons and homemade explosives.
No injuries were reported during the arrest, and Horvath is being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Friday.
The sheriff’s office urged the public to report any unusual activity, crediting community tips for helping dismantle what could have been a dangerous operation.
