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. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. 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. /* Style Definitions */ Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. 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. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; 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. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. She might be cute. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. Law enforcement arrests 83 people in 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. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. 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 ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. 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. The confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. Marathon couple charged with possession in drug bust line-height:115%; 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. Contact Us The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. false This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. A 71-year-old Keys drug dealer was busted, police said - Miami 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. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. Fentanyl bust: Enough drugs seized to kill half of Florida, Attorney Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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. 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. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. 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. 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. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. 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. 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. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. 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. They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. drug bust Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. Over 100 arrested in massive Florida drug bust after months 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. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. false Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG 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. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana 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. Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. 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. Florida Gov. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. 6 to Know: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina, Search - NBC 6 South of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Keys Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs found along coast of Florida Keys 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. A massive drug bust has placed a dozen people behind bars after a drug home in New Smyrna Beach has been on deputies radar for months, they say. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. 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. mso-style-noshow:yes; WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. The bag contained 25 bricks of cocaine. 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. WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. All rights reserved. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; Florida mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Traffic stop results in drug bust. Florida Keys - Miami Herald A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested following a search of their residence Theyre accused of selling crack WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. Oct 23, 2020. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. 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. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. - 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. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. 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. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; They were too many of them and they were too obvious. 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. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. EN-US All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. A traffic stop on a Mercedes Benz driving with no lights on early Friday morning turned into a much bigger deal for the driver after Florida Keys deputies said they found a large amount of marijuana, two guns and two runaways from Miami-Dade County in the car. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. 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. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. "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. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. Florida Keys Drug Arrests | Robertson & Hunter, LLP 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. Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. 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. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. ~Editor. 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. 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. Harry, he replied. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. 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. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. The illegal I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. On March 21. "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. 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. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. 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. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. 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. 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. bust Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; false Six Arrested in Keys Drug Bust A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. mso-para-margin-left:0in; Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. 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. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. table.MsoNormalTable There might have been something else,but it escapes me. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. 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. Book captures Keys' drug-running heyday Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. X-NONE (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. 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. 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. 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 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. My Favorite Drug-Sniffing Florida Keys Police Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. 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. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Miami man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. 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. 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. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash 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. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. WFTV Detectives said the organization Authorities say they then found the following in the Camry: In addition to the trafficking charge, Gesell also faces charges of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance (pills) without a prescription and possession of drug paraphernalia. 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.