Lee County, FL – The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 28-year-old Derek Church, a suspect in the 2016 Club Blu double homicide, on major drug trafficking charges following a months-long undercover investigation. Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced the arrest, calling it a major win for public safety in the county.
The Arrest: Undercover Operation Leads to Drug Trafficking Charges
According to Sheriff Marceno, narcotics detectives conducted multiple undercover drug buys and surveillance operations over several months before taking Church into custody.
“This is a very violent felon awaiting trial on two counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder,” Marceno said during a press conference Monday. “Taking him off the streets is a huge win to keep the people safe in Lee County.”
During the investigation, deputies found Church in possession of 14,443 grams of ecstasy, 812 grams of methamphetamine, and 174 grams of fentanyl. Authorities described the amount of drugs as “deadly quantities” capable of causing widespread harm.
Background: Club Blu Shooting Case and Pending Murder Trial
Church has been a key suspect in the 2016 Club Blu shooting, which left two people dead and several others injured outside a Fort Myers nightclub. He was released earlier on a $750,000 bond while awaiting trial on two counts of murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder…