florida keys drug bust

Box 713Fisherman Greg Collazo, 25, Gulf Crain HamitFisherman Bernardo Lewis Valiente, 25, 300 East 63rdSt. Dade County residents arrested were: Orlando Vidal Maldonado, 42, 1265 W. Fourth LaneNestor Fernandez, 30, 4572 SW 127th Ct.Coral Fish Market owner Raul Hernandez, 44, 3811 SW88th PlaceRolando Aguiar, 30, 4132 SW 102nd CourtCatalino Rioseco Chambrot, 35, 10351 SW 56th St.Angel Cruz, 29, 2421 SW 129th Ave.Fisherman Carmelo Fernandez, 28, 5472 SW 127th Ct. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. 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. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. 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 unloaders of the pot were young Cuban men and were caught milling around Long Beach Road where there are no Cubansnormally seen. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. Dyer was found in possession of the following, according to deputies: Deputies said Bell was found to be in possession of three grams of MDMA/ecstasy and a metal pipe. mso-para-margin-right:0in; 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. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. 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. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. Oct 23, 2020. 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. 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. According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered along the coastline in the Florida Keys, the U.S. Border Patrol in Miami announced Thursday. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. All three were arrested and taken to jail. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. X-NONE Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. 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. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Jamarado 50, the owner of David Electric Inc., an electrical contractor that frequently wins large contracts with Monroe County and the city of Key West. 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. This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County Sheriffs Offices SWAT team, along with state and federal agents, found him at home at about 6:40 a.m. and served a warrant. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. 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. Authorities said several rolled bills containing a powdery substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamines were found inside of the BMW. 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 Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; The cowboys would jump into their go-fast boats that were kept docked at the seawall next to their house, and zoom out to where the floating bales were. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. 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. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. 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. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. 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. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. Theyre accused of selling crack All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. 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. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. 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. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. 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. font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. mso-style-parent:""; 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. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. 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 The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off The confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars. 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. Normal 1401 79th Street Causeway Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. 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. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. X-NONE Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. I was with five of the 29 the night before in the lawyers Eden Pines home (the lawyer wasnt there) snorting coke, smoking pot and drinking booze and trying to get out of there with my ass in one piece. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. line-height:115%; 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. 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. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's detectives and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team gathered information for over a month's time, leading them to serve two search warrants simultaneously--- one on 2nd street and one on 11th avenue in Stock Island. 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. WebA South Florida man and woman each face more than 60 years in federal prison after being charged with multiple drug dealing counts last week. 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. 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. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. WebThe U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that it was offloading a record-shattering amount of cocaine and marijuana at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. It was a routine bust.. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office said investigators uncovered 75 firearms, 9 pounds of methamphetamine, 3 pounds of fentanyl and an undisclosed amount of heroin. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. WFTV Detectives said the organization WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. 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. "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. 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 police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. 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. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables resident still refuses to sell decades-old home surrounded by massive development, Broward County pastor faces several fraud, grand theft charges after defrauding church, Gunman dead after hours-long SWAT standoff at SW Miami-Dade apartment complex, Police: Man fatally shot 3-year-old son, himself inside Coconut Grove condo, Police arrest student who made false bomb threat at Dillard High School; classes resume. 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. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. 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. Traffic stop results in drug bust. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. 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. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered "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. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. The investigation started a month ago. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. 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. The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. 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. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. CAKEGATE 2023: Bad Bunny's Restaurant Accused of Gobbling Birthday Girl's Cake, Neighborhood Nazi Jon Minadeo Peddles Hate by the Minute, Affordable New "Micro-Units" Slated for Little River, Edgewater, Sen. Rubio's Permanent Daylight Savings Bill Sees Light of Day Once More, NFL Legend Ray Lewis Joins World Jai-Alai League Board of Directors. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. "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. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; 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. 29. Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. 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. Harry, he replied. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. 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. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. By Citizen Staff. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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. mso-style-priority:99; 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. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. 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. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp WebDeputies arrested a 46-year-old Key West woman on multiple drug charges after a traffic stop on Big Pine Key yielded a litany of pills, FLORIDA KEYS. 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. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. false FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High.

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