What happened: Deputies arrested a West Palm Beach woman Tuesday following a months-long undercover investigation into Methamp sales.
Background: 48-year-old Melissa Hale faces multiple felony counts, including Methamp trafficking, selling contr substance near a public park, using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, and driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender. The arrest affidavits released by PBSO outline four undercover narcotics operations conducted between May and July 2026: May 21 : Undercover detectives arranged a meeting near the Fun Way Arcade and Guitar Center off Okeechobee Boulevard, where PBSO documented a transaction involving 2.3 grams of Methamp.
May 26 : Detectives met at the same Okeechobee Boulevard location for a second operation involving 3 grams of Methamp. June 25 : PBSO agents conducted a third purchase at the Fun Way Arcade parking lot, securing 4 grams of Methamp.
July 2 : Detectives negotiated an ounce-level transaction. the location was moved via text message to Acreage Community Park.
With PBSO Aviation and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) units monitoring from above, agents documented the delivery of 29 grams of Methamp. July 21 : Undercover agents scheduled another 29-gram transaction at Acreage Community Park, where surveillance teams observed an additional individual arrive shortly before a white envelope containing crystal Methamp was turned over to detectives.
Deputies noted that covert audio and video recording equipment was utilized throughout the undercover operations.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
Any person identified in connection with an alleged offense is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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