Drug dealer sentenced to 21 years in prison after investigation involving camera mounted on light pole

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The man the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said was one of the city's biggest drug dealers will serve more than 21 years in prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations and JSO launched a months-long investigation into 32-year-old Paul Anderson in 2023.

An FBI agent used a live-streaming camera mounted on a light pole to watch Anderson return to a Westside condo where investigators believe drugs were being stored.

RELATED: How the FBI used a camera mounted on a light pole to take down one of Jacksonville's biggest suspected drug dealers

For months, FBI agents and members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office gang units watched Anderson, either by camping in a car outside the home or using pole cameras. They also tracked his phone.

Investigators believe they observed Anderson and other drug traffickers bringing large amounts of cocaine, fentanyl and meth into the city from September to October 2023.

Federal agents used the video surveillance and evidence to obtain a search warrant in October 2023, eventually moving in and arresting Anderson and others.

According to the Department of Justice, the investigation resulted in the seizure of over 19 pounds of marijuana, more than 3 kilograms of crystal meth, 140 grams of fentanyl, 63 grams of powder cocaine, multiple loaded firearms, a ballistic vest, cash and drug paraphernalia.

Anderson was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison for drug offenses.