Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; 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. false At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. 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. "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. Tipsters may remain anonymous. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. WebA 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. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Deputies said they knew Howard had warrants out for her arrest for drug trafficking, and as they were pulling her over they realized that her vehicle was being followed by a Lexus. 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. false (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered 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. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. 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. 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. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. 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. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. "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. 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. Contact Us Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. She might be cute. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. The public may view the reports by going to WSVN.com and clicking on "FCC Public File", or by visiting the FCC's website at FCC.org. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. 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. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Francisco Hernandez, 58, an engineer for the Key West City Electric System and a former civilian fire fighter at the Key West Naval Air Station. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. 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. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. As the Marine Patrol or Customs would be speeding to intercept a pot boat the people on the pot boat would throw the bales off as fast as they could, trying to get rid of the evidence. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Several weapons were also found at the scene. The 104 arrest warrants concluded a months-long investigation by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office into an organization suspected of "distributing kilogram quantities" of heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl -- a synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times more powerful than morphine, police said. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. ~Editor. 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. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. 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. The addresses for those named earlier are Jamardo, Geiger Key; F. Remand 3000 Flagler Ave.; A. Hernandez, 1603 Atlantic Blvd; Sanchez, 1122 Watson St; D. Galvan, 1612 United St. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. BIG PINE KEY, Fla. Just days after helping bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys, Monroe County Sheriffs Office K9 Coral is at it again. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. Reed Bryan Bell, 55, of Islamorada, was also arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance and Markus Dyer, 31, of Big Pine Key, was arrested on charges of trafficking in heroin, trafficking in methamphetamines, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. mso-pagination:widow-orphan; The only person who listed at out-of-state address wasNorman Lee Young, 30, 110 Gum Tree Rd., Hilton Head,S.C. From the Key WestCitizen November 14,1980BySheila Quickstad Citizen Staff Writer. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. A Key West woman faces drug trafficking and possession charges after a bust that was assisted by K9 cop Coral, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office says. #news pic.twitter.com/rUf0Etk61f. Florida Gov. 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. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. 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. WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. independent local journalism in Miami. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. 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. 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. "But if you are a poison peddler, and you kill someone in Flagler County, we are going to investigate you for first-degree murder, and we already have four people sitting in state prison for killing someone for selling the lethal dose," Staly said. The pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. The investigation started a month ago. 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 driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. 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. {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; 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. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. X-NONE Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton brought 26,250 pounds of cocaine and 3,700 pounds of marijuana to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale -- the largest drug interdiction in the ship's history. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. 5 Sunshine St., Stock Island; Orlando Vidal Maldonado, 42, Miami; Norman Lee Young, 30, Hilton Head, S.C.; Sergio Edward Galvan, 40, 3738 Paula Ave.; Richard Allen Shank, 31, 3533 Flagler Ave., route man for Pepsi Cola Miami; Mitchell Earl Noa, 22, Big Pine Key; Carmen Fernandez, 28, Miami, listed employer as Two Friends Inc, Co.; Enrique Blasco, 19, Laird St.; Raul Hernandez Miami, listed as owner Coral Fish Co., Miami; Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon Lodge, Marathon; Rafael Francisco Lopez, Marathon; Rolando Aguiar 30, Miami; Bernardo L Valiente, 25, Marathon, Michael Patrick OBrien, 216 Lincoln Gardens, Stock Island; Fermin Tapia, 41, Jamaica Dr. (city directory lists same address on P. Avenue as given to authorities by Sergio Galvan); G. Collazo, 25, Marathon; Jose Morzon Garcia, 44, 29, Key West Villas, listed employer as Two Friends Inc, Co.; Catalino Rios Chambrot, 35, Miami; Richard Lee Mungin, 37, Sloan Trailer Park, Stock Island; Angel Cruz, 27, Miami; Juano Manuel Venegas, A37 8th Ave., Stock Island. She graduated from Indiana University. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? Authorities confiscated 500 50-pound bales of pot, a 40-foot Marathon-based lobster boat, the Miss Lucy, two trucks, a 1980 Ford van, a Chevy pickup with a camper, a 1979 gold Cadillac and two 24- foot T-craft, boats designed for back-country fishing that arepopularwith smugglers because they can haul huge loads over shallow water at high speed. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. 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 Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. 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. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. 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. I was with him at breakfast that morning when he had to leave Mister Jims Restaurant when he heard about the bust on US1 Radio while it was playing in the background. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Rickie Santiago Pacheco, 23, faces charges of carrying a concealed firearm without a license, possessing a firearm while committing a felony, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and interfering with the custody of a minor. WebNo. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County The lobster boat reportedly was outfitted with sophisticated radar equipment and, as an official described, the biggest engine Ive ever seen. One of the vehicles was said to have a built-in police scanner. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's 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. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. 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. 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. The three alleged organizational leaders were identified as Brandon Huff, 35, and Jonathan Walker, 42, both of Cocoa, and Megan Wilborn, 31, of Merritt Island. 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! 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. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said a long-term drug investigation took down a major drug distribution ring in Jacksonville consisting of 27 arrests. Miami's independent source of 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. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. Pacheco waived his Miranda rights, according to the report, and told deputies he picked up the 17-year-old in Miami and the 15-year-old in Homestead. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday.
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