florida keys drug bust

(U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. 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. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. EN-US David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. 1401 79th Street Causeway A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 line-height:115%; ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. mso-style-noshow:yes; Join the New Times community and help support Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. 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. Contact Us By Citizen Staff. 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. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking 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. #news pic.twitter.com/rUf0Etk61f. "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. Traffic stop results in drug bust. All rights reserved. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. The unloaders of the pot were young Cuban men and were caught milling around Long Beach Road where there are no Cubansnormally seen. 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. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. 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. 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. man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Keys Harry, he replied. 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. Galvan returned from Cuba aboard the Blanchie III and was the first Cuban-American to announce that Cuba had opened the harbor to the Freedom Flotilla. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 mso-style-priority:99; 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. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. She might be cute. These Are the Four Wildest Drug Finds Off the Coast of Florida "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. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. Crime They were too many of them and they were too obvious. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. 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. It was a routine bust.. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. independent local journalism in Miami. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. The illegal Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. Florida Keys Drug Arrests | Robertson & Hunter, LLP Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Jul 17, 2021. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. Miami's independent source of bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash 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. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. 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 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. Miami, FL 33141 Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. 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. 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 situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. WebNo. Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County The only things of note toever happen here was the Spanish landing in the 1600s, the burningdown of the Big Pine Inn in the 1970 and the Big Pine29 Bust in 1980. The 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. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. She graduated from Indiana University. Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. "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. 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. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. 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. 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. 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. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. Nelson (Ping-Ping) Jamarado, 41, the wiry, bearded former boat mechanic who early this year bought a share of Bevis-Lewis Chevrolet Inc. of Key West. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. 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. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; Traffic stop results in drug bust | Mile Markers | keysnews.com The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana 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 tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. 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. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG 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. 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. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. 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. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. 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. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. 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. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. 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. They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. 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. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it Its like a big family reunion with five or sixfamilies, said another officer, gazing at the crowd ofkin that included two defendants in this yearscelebrated Key West Cop Case. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. mso-para-margin-top:0in; 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. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. 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. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. Marathon couple charged with possession in drug bust bust 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. 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 suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). 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. 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. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. WebEnough fentanyl seized to kill half of Florida; 'massive' bust linked to a Mexican drug cartel: AG By Gail Paschall-Brown, WESH , CNNWire Friday, October 14, 2022 Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. WFTV Detectives said the organization Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy.

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