At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. 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. 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. 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. "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. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Thompson said the 4 a.m. drug bust culminated a four week investigation involving members of the Marathon sheriffs sub-station, U.S. Customs and the Marine Patrol. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. 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. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 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. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. Theyre accused of selling crack 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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. 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. 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. Florida Gov. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. "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. 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. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? 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. The illegal "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. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. 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. 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. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. WebNo. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Normal These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. 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. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. She might be cute. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. false Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. The bag contained 25 bricks of cocaine. Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. Miami, FL 33141 Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 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. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. 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 suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. WFTV Detectives said the organization It was a routine bust.. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. 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. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. "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. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. X-NONE They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. 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. 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. 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. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 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. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. local news and culture, The #Florida @USCG Cutter Valiant took down a narco sub carrying 12k lbs of cocaine in the #EasternPacific, cutting approximately $165 mil from smuggler pockets.More info and photos here: https://t.co/mSb28nTIzF pic.twitter.com/hS5kRVtV3f, Someone was dreaming of a white ChristmasApproximately 74 lbs of cocaine was found by a fisherman about 15 miles offshore and south of Sugarloaf Key in federal waters.All packages were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. 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. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. independent local journalism in Miami. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. 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. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. 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. 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. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. ~Editor. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. mso-para-margin-right:0in; 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. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. "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 driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. By Citizen Staff. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. 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. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Contact Us RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. 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. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. 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. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. mso-pagination:widow-orphan; He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. All three were arrested and taken to jail. 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. Jul 17, 2021. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. 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. WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. 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 drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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 in heroin, trafficking in methamphetamines and possession of a controlled substance. 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. 1401 79th Street Causeway 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. EN-US Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. 29. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. 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. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. 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. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. 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. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. 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. font-size:11.0pt; "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; 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. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. 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 Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. 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. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. 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. 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. In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. 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. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. #breakingnews #florida. 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. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. 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. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with mso-para-margin-top:0in; And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. line-height:115%; Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. 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. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. 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. K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. mso-style-priority:99; A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. 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.
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