Andrew Mariano, aged 23, has been taken into custody following a prolonged investigation conducted by the Broward Sheriff’s Office targeting the “Sex, Money, Murder” gang linked to the Bloods.
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities announced on Tuesday the arrest of a man suspected of leading a Bloods-affiliated gang involved in drug and firearms trafficking throughout Northeast Florida. This arrest took place in St. Johns County.
Andrew Mariano, a 23-year-old resident of Flagler Estates, was apprehended as a result of an extensive investigation spearheaded by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Investigations Task Force, which focused on the “Sex, Money, Murder” Blood gang.
Ten suspected senior members, including Mariano, have been arrested and face charges related to racketeering, conspiracy to commit homicide, directing activities of a criminal gang and money laundering, according to investigators.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and BSO executed a warrant at Mariano’s residence and located firearms and narcotics, investigators said.
For the past three years, BSO’s Gang Task Force has been investigating the organization, ultimately discovering its involvement in numerous crimes across Florida, officials said. Investigators identified the gang’s leadership and financial accounts tied to the group.
Additionally, detectives discovered the gang’s “kill list” and notified the intended victims before the crimes occurred, investigators said.
Officials said all the suspects charged in the case will be charged in Highlands County, where they will be tried.
The investigation into the gang is ongoing. Anyone with information on this criminal organization or crimes is urged to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.
