"Arrest warrants were issued for each of the 100 suspects who have been identified throughout the course of the investigation as sources or distributors of these deadly drugs," the sheriff's office said in a statement. The Holiday Inn doesnt check as many people in and out a day as I do. the sheriff mused as he, members of the press and Public Information Officer Sgt. She graduated from Indiana University. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. "It is enough to kill 66 out of the 67 counties' population here in Florida," Moody said at the Tampa Bay Regional Operational Center alongside Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Miami-Dade Mayor, State Attorney Announce New Measures to Protect HOA Residents, Teen in Vicious Attack on Florida Teacher's Aide to Be Charged as Adult, Given $1M Bond, Ex-UM Football Player Accused of Killing Teammate Granted $850K Bond. My Favorite Drug-Sniffing Florida Keys Police A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Normal mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Florida Gov. This is a very small list of vessels confiscated by Major Seals Agents in just one or two years during the heyday of Keys pot smuggling. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. The amount of opiates seized were "enough to kill every single resident of Brevard County," which has an estimated population of about 590,000 people, according to police. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Traffic stop results in drug bust | Mile Markers | keysnews.com Hes the uncle of County Commissioner Jerry Hernandez and the brother of former Key West police Chief Eugene Hernandez: Manuel Sanchez, 57, manager of the mens department at Key Wests Sears Roebuck & Co. store in Searstown Plaza on North Roosevelt Boulevard, and his brother Antonio, 54, a jewelry salesman. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; Florida Keys - Miami Herald mso-pagination:widow-orphan; A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested following a search of their residence Because the defendants were charged in federal court instead Circuit Court, Customs took the marijuana to Miami saving the sheriffs department the burden of storing it. The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! They also confiscated 36 pounds of crystal meth, two kilograms of cocaine, over one kilogram of heroin, three kilograms of fentanyl, $108,000 in cash and 21 guns and ammunition - all in just three months. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Authorities said several rolled bills containing a powdery substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamines were found inside of the BMW. Theyre accused of selling crack Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. mso-para-margin-top:0in; "They're also making counterfeit pills that, they're multiple colors laced with fentanyl, so they're marketing to younger and younger people," Staly said. He didnt. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. Miami, FL 33141 Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it WebEnough fentanyl seized to kill half of Florida; 'massive' bust linked to a Mexican drug cartel: AG By Gail Paschall-Brown, WESH , CNNWire Friday, October 14, 2022 The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. Ruff arrest: K9 busts alleged drug trafficker in Florida Keys - WPLG 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. Deputies checked the car and found 38 more marijuana vaping products, a loaded Taurus .40 caliber handgun, a Smith and Wesson SD40 VE handgun, five 12-gauge shotgun shells, 57 .22 magnum bullets, and one 9 mm bullet, as well as various drug equipment, including rolling papers and a marijuana grinder, according to the report. Book captures Keys' drug-running heyday Florida Keys Drug Arrests | Robertson & Hunter, LLP Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. Detectives also found more $1,700 in cash, a handgun, and what appeared to be a pipe bomb, to which the Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad responded. They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. There was the time in the 1970s when square grouper was code for a bale of marijuana that was thrown overboard when the water cops showed up. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. line-height:115%; He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Agents of the Sheriffs Department, the U.S. CustomsService and the Florida Marine Patrol culminated amonth-long investigation at 4 a.m., seizing three boats,three trucks and a gold Cadillac. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. The drugnet, in addition to the arrests, resulted in the confiscation of approximately 500 bales of marijuana; two T-Craft boats; a 40-foot Lobster boat, Miss Lucy out of Marathon; two closed body trucks, a 1980 van, a pickup truck and a 1979 Cadillac. Miami was snubbed, Florida Keys firefighter arrested after deputies say she beat her wife outside a bar, Human smuggling, a truck and a school bus: A Broward child rapist goes back behind bars. The 30 persons arrested were booked at the Monroe County Jail and questioned before being sent to a U.S. magistrate for bond hearings Saturday night. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. Six Arrested in Keys Drug Bust Over 100 arrested in massive Florida drug bust after months A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. There also were grandfathers, a plumber, a power companyengineer, a crewman from the first vessel to arrive inKey West in the Cuban boatlift last March, and thebrother he brought back from Cuba. The long process known as coking in police language continued into the evening hours Saturday at the Monroe County Sheriffs Department 30 men rounded up during a pre-dawn marijuana bust were being questioned by officials. As lawmen gathered near the off-loading site on the bayside of Big Pine Key, a Customs agent was approached by one of the alleged offenders. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. Deputy Megan Faison wrote in her report that she asked a 22-year-old female passenger in the front seat to roll her window all the way down so he could safely look inside the car, since it had dark tinted windows. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. Its like a big family reunion with five or sixfamilies, said another officer, gazing at the crowd ofkin that included two defendants in this yearscelebrated Key West Cop Case. WebNo. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. On March 21. Chief Patrol Agent Walter N. Slosar confirmed that agents have responded to numerous drug wash-ups since the start of the month, seizing about 27 pounds of marijuana and three pounds of cocaine. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. Police in Florida issued arrest warrants for over 100 members of a suspected drug gang on Wednesday and seized enough fentanyl to wipe out a large county. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. The search by Special Operations detectives revealed a crack cocaine lab at the 2nd street location that contained powdered cocaine, crack cocaine and about 350 grams of marijuana packaged for sale. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. -- A traffic stop involving James Forbes Jr. happened just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night while riding a bike on Palm Avenue in Bunnell. Deputies said they found Alvarez-Bermudez in possession of 22.7 grams of cocaine more than three-quarters of an ounce along with $10,182 cash they suspect came from illicit drug sales. A drug bust in Florida led to the seizure of enough fentanyl to kill at least 500,000 people, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. "We have seen our seizures in Flagler County is up over 500 percent so far this year compared to all of last year," Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Fentanyl bust: Enough drugs seized to kill half of Florida, Attorney Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Keys /* Style Definitions */ Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Tipsters may remain anonymous. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. Geiger Key Resident: Jamardo, 10 Egret Lane, Key West Residents: Francisco Hernandez, 3000 Flagler Ave.Antonio Hernandez, 1803 Atlantic Blvd.Sergio Galvan, 373E Paula St.Domingo Galvan, 1612 United St.Richard Allen Shank, 3533 Flagler Ave.Manuel Sanchez, 1122 Watson St.Antonio Sanchez, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. If youre a druggie driving U.S. 1 through the Florida Keys and youre pulled over, the last thing you want to hear is the Monroe County Sheriffs Department call in backup in the form of the K-9 crew, specifically the drug-sniffing two-year-old Golden Retriever named Coral. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. And as frantic efforts were being made to reach U.S. Magistrate Jack Saunders to arrange a bond hearing, Sheriff William A. Freeman Jr. fretted, Where the hell am going to put them? Freemans already over-crowded jail became even more cramped when inmates destroyed Cell Block 2 during a disturbance Wednesday night. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. All rights reserved. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel, WESH reported. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. #breakingnews #florida. Crime The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. WebA Florida Keys man was pulled over by Monroe County sheriffs deputies, who said they found a lot of marijuana, several handguns and two runaways from Miami-Dade County. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. He was arrested on charges of possession of cocaine with the intent to sell, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of drug paraphernalia. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. In those days the cowboys had faster boats and knew the waters better than the Marine Patrol (except for Officer Mark Walker, the best Marine Patrol Officer anyone has ever seen) so most times they could outrun the law. In addition to charges of possession of more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana trafficking and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, which were filed against all 30 defendants, charges of carrying concealed weapons were still pending against several of the men. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. These Are the Four Wildest Drug Finds Off the Coast of Florida Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. These square grouper were picked up by cowboys in fast boats who listened to the marine radio day and night for word when there was a dumping. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. X-NONE Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. Its coming from Cuba, weather forecasters say, Body found floating in channel off Key West, Monroe County Sheriffs Office says, A coconut tree farm caught fire in South Miami-Dade. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. Contact Us Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. bust WFTV Detectives said the organization Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. Marathon couple charged with possession in drug bust If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Law enforcement officers raided a Keys smugglingoperation Saturday and busted an assortment of KeyWests establishment: the head of the Sears mensdepartment, a Chevrolet dealer, w Pepsi Cola truckdriver and a county commissioners uncle. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. Deputies drove him to the COVID-19 checkpoint at mile marker 112.5 on U.S. 1, where his parents picked him up, Linhardt said. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered Pacheco told cops the gun belonged to the 17-year-old, who was also arrested and turned over to juvenile justice authorities, Adam Linhardt, sheriffs office spokesman, said. Everyones a good friend or family of a number ofpeople. Sheriff William A. Freeman said of thesuspects, who were greeted by about 40 red-eyedrelatives at the Monroe County jail as they were booked. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. Detectives said the organization was obtaining large quantities of drugs from overseas and distributing them throughout Brevard County, which is about 50 miles east of Orlando. WebKEY WEST, Fla. A Key West woman faces methamphetamine trafficking and other drug charges after a bust that was assisted by K9 cop Coral, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office Several weapons were also found at the scene. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. She might be cute. Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs found along coast of Florida Keys One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. KEY WEST, Fla. A Key West woman faces methamphetamine trafficking and other drug charges after a bust that was assisted by K9 cop Coral, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office says. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. Oct 23, 2020. Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. mso-style-priority:99; Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. - A major drug bust led deputies to 120 gallons of liquid meth being transported in buckets by suspects from Georgia to Florida, overseen by a "mastermind" who ran the operation from federal prison, officials said Thursday. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. Florida Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Law enforcement arrests 83 people in Plumber Fermin Tapia, 41, of 1701 Jamaica Dr.Vicente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.Fisherman Enrique Blasco, 19, 1504 Laird St.Two Friends Fish Co. fishermen Jose Monzon Garcia, 44,Key West Villas No. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. The only things of note toever happen here was the Spanish landing in the 1600s, the burningdown of the Big Pine Inn in the 1970 and the Big Pine29 Bust in 1980. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking in heroin, trafficking in methamphetamines and possession of a controlled substance. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. 1401 79th Street Causeway A reporter for the Miami Herald, who wanted to take pictures of the arrested men, was threatened by the lobby crowd who warned him that neither he nor the camera would make it out of the building unharmed if he took photos. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. Friday night, it became clear they were about to hit pay dirt, and officers added men to their stakeout in a posh neighborhood along a mangrove swamp just north of U.S. 1. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? false Among those arrested at a marijuana off-loading site on Big Pine Key were several familiar Key West names including Nelson Jamardo, better known as Ping Ping; Francisco Hernandez, 58, a former fireman for the Navy and now a watch engineer at the City Electric System; Antonio Tony Hernandez, 50, owner of David Electric; Manuel Sanchez, 57, salesman at Sears; and Domingo Galvan, 44, a registered nurse employed at DePoo Memorial Doctors Hospital.

Bonavita Sheffield Lifestyle Crib Instructions, Articles F