Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; 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. A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested following a search of their residence mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; 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. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com 29. 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. 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. Published on Big Pine Keys garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. 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. WFTV Detectives said the organization Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. The bag contained 25 bricks of cocaine. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. Several weapons were also found at the scene. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. 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. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. mso-style-parent:""; Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. 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. During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. 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. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. font-size:11.0pt; Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. 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. 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. 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. Florida Keys Drug Arrests | Robertson & Hunter, LLP Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. "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. man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Keys Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Feds charge Florida Keys woman and Homestead man with dealing Tipsters may remain anonymous. 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. 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. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. 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. 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. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. 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. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; 6 to Know: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina, Search - NBC 6 South 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. 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. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. Detectives also found more $1,700 in cash, a handgun, and what appeared to be a pipe bomb, to which the Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad responded. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. 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. The canine deputy joined the department about three months ago and on Monday she caught yet another suspected drug dealer. Its coming from Cuba, weather forecasters say, Body found floating in channel off Key West, Monroe County Sheriffs Office says, A coconut tree farm caught fire in South Miami-Dade. They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. 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. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. false Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! 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 Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. 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. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. 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. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs Crime 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. 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. WebDeputies arrested a 46-year-old Key West woman on multiple drug charges after a traffic stop on Big Pine Key yielded a litany of pills, FLORIDA KEYS. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. Mastermind behind largest meth seizure in Polk history was Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. These Are the Four Wildest Drug Finds Off the Coast of Florida Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. 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. mso-style-noshow:yes; Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. 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. 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. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. Traffic stop results in drug bust. Normal Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. My Favorite Drug-Sniffing Florida Keys Police 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. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. independent local journalism in Miami. Florida Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. X-NONE bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. "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. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. 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. 1401 79th Street Causeway WebNo. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. mso-style-priority:99; 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. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. 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. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 The illegal Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. 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. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? 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. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. Contact Us Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. drug bust Theyre accused of selling crack 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. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. "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. ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. 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. 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. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. 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. Join the New Times community and help support WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. 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 sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. The 30 persons arrested were booked at the Monroe County Jail and questioned before being sent to a U.S. magistrate for bond hearings Saturday night. mso-para-margin-left:0in; By Citizen Staff. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. drug bust The investigation started a month ago. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. She might be cute. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. mso-para-margin-top:0in; K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He didnt. 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. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. Law enforcement arrests 83 people in On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. 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. The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. 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. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. All rights reserved. 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. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. 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. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. line-height:115%; A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. 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. Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. Jul 17, 2021. 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. false Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. X-NONE Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl.
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