Major Drug Bust in Bay County: Three Arrested, Over 2.8 Pounds of Cocaine Seized

BAY COUNTY, FL - Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford announced three arrests at the culmination of a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in Bay County. Special Investigations Division investigators also seized more than 2.8 pounds of cocaine and other illegal narcotics and more than 65 thousand dollars in cash. 

On October 4th, 2024, the Bay County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Division concluded the investigation of a drug trafficking organization operating out of Foxwood Garden Apartments in Panama City. The operation involved the execution of multiple search warrants, and the arrests of key suspects involved in the distribution of narcotics.

The primary target, Christopher Cruz-Morales, also known as “Tuti,” was apprehended by law enforcement in the parking lot of Foxwood Apartments. At the time of his arrest, Cruz Morales was carrying $7,487 in cash. A search warrant was served at his residence on Hamilton Avenue. Investigators uncovered approximately one ounce of cocaine and $20,000 in cash hidden in a safe. His wife, Stephanie Horta-Laracuente, was present at the residence at the time of the search warrant and was also taken into custody.

In a related search at a neighboring apartment on Hamilton Avenue, law enforcement recovered over eight ounces of cocaine and a small amount of marijuana. This apartment was identified as the residence of Cruz Morales' niece, Krystal Mendez-Matos, who was also arrested.

Simultaneously, special investigators executed a search warrant at a stash house in Springfield connected to the operation. This search yielded more than 2.8 pounds of cocaine, rifle ammunition, and $39,291 in cash.

Further investigation led to a search of a storage unit belonging to Cruz-Morales and Horta-Laracuente on Airport Road, where a short-barrel AR-15 rifle was seized.

As a result of this operation, Christopher Cruz-Morales, Stephanie Horta-Laracuente, and Krystal Mendez-Matos were arrested and booked into the Bay County Jail. Cruz-Morales, age 41, was charged with Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of Conditional Release. Horta-Laracuente, age 37, was charged with Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Mendez-Matos, age 26, was charged with Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.