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The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Bay Police announced what it is calling one of the largest drug and explosives seizures in county history following the arrest of 26 year old Maxwell Horvath of Palm Bay. Sheriff Wayne Ivey released a video briefing on the case, describing the operation as “Breaking Bad on steroids” while thanking multiple federal and local partners.
According to the sheriff, agents seized approximately 92,000 pounds of material suspected to contain a high concentration of 7 OH. The agency placed the estimated street value at 4.7 million dollars. Investigators also recovered explosive devices during the operation, elevating the seriousness of the charges and the potential threat to the public.
The arrest was the result of a joint investigation between the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Palm Bay Police Department. Sheriff Ivey credited the teamwork of all agencies involved, stating that the combined effort was crucial to bringing the case together.
In the video statement, Sheriff Ivey said the magnitude of the operation underscores the dangers posed by synthetic drug trafficking in the region. B roll included evidence bags, containers of seized material, and blurred visuals of the recovered items. On screen text highlighted the volume and value of the suspected drugs.
Horvath was taken into custody on multiple felony charges that include trafficking illegal substances and possession of explosive devices. Specific counts, bond amounts, and court dates have not yet been released, but records are expected to become public soon.
The arrest raises significant questions about how such a large quantity of material was being produced, transported, or stored within Brevard County without earlier detection. The substance in question, 7 OH, is a synthetic cannabinoid that has been linked to severe medical reactions and is often sold illegally in large batch operations.
The sheriff’s office has indicated that more information will be released as the investigation continues. The Space Coast Rocket will follow this case as it moves into the court system and will provide updates on the charges, suspect history, and any additional arrests or developments.
