WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. 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. 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-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; Traffic stop results in drug bust. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. 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. 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 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. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. 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. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; "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. WebNo. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. 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. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. 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. Over 100 arrested in massive Florida drug bust after months 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. 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. 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. 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. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver 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. 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. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Theyre accused of selling crack Crime He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. He didnt. Florida Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; 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. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. 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. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. X-NONE tons of seized cocaine, marijuana worth over WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. 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. 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. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? mso-pagination:widow-orphan; Jul 17, 2021. 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. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . 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. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. mso-style-parent:""; it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. Plumber Fermin Tapia, 41, of 1701 Jamaica Dr.Vicente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.Fisherman Enrique Blasco, 19, 1504 Laird St.Two Friends Fish Co. fishermen Jose Monzon Garcia, 44,Key West Villas No. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. 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. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. Several weapons were also found at the scene. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. -- A traffic stop involving James Forbes Jr. happened just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night while riding a bike on Palm Avenue in Bunnell. The 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. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; 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. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Keys 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. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. /* Style Definitions */ WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 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. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. Join the New Times community and help support I hoped I could talk my way out of there. The investigation started a month ago. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. #breakingnews #florida. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. 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. 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. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. She might be cute. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. She graduated from Indiana University. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. 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. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. 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. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. Six Arrested in Keys Drug Bust The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; 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. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. 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. 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. Harry, he replied. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. mso-para-margin-right:0in; WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. - 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 individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. 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. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. font-size:11.0pt; 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. 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. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. 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. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. 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. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. A 71-year-old Keys drug dealer was busted, police said - Miami The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. table.MsoNormalTable The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. All three were arrested and taken to jail. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. 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. 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. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. 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. The unloaders of the pot were young Cuban men and were caught milling around Long Beach Road where there are no Cubansnormally seen. During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers.
What Element Turns Fatty Acid Into Fatty Alcohol?, 10 Most Ghetto Cities In Mississippi, How Old Is Benny From My Babysitter's A Vampire, Southampton Vs West Ham Radio Commentary, Articles F