The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. 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. Traffic stop results in drug bust. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. 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. 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. mso-para-margin-right:0in; A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. 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. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County Florida Gov. It was a routine bust.. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. 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. 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. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking 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. 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. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. Tipsters may remain anonymous. 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. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. 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. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. mso-para-margin-top:0in; If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. By Citizen Staff. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Normal Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. A drug bust in Florida led to the seizure of enough fentanyl to kill at least 500,000 people, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. 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. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. 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. 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; We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. On March 21. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. 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 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. 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. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. 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. mso-style-parent:""; Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. 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. Crime 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. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. Jul 17, 2021. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. 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. 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. X-NONE Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . EN-US Harry, he replied. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. 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 WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. 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. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. X-NONE 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. 0 FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. 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. 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. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. 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. ~Editor. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. 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. 1401 79th Street Causeway Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. 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. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-para-margin-left:0in; "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. "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. 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. 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. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. 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. 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. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? 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. 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. The addresses for those named earlier are Jamardo, Geiger Key; F. Remand 3000 Flagler Ave.; A. Hernandez, 1603 Atlantic Blvd; Sanchez, 1122 Watson St; D. Galvan, 1612 United St. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. 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. 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. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. 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. 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. 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. false Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. 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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. All rights reserved. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. 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. WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. false table.MsoNormalTable Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. Miami, FL 33141 These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. Contact Us The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. WFTV Detectives said the organization a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. The investigation started a month ago. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; "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. 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. 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. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. Join the New Times community and help support The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. 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. According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. 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. The canine deputy joined the department about three months ago and on Monday she caught yet another suspected drug dealer. 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. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. /* Style Definitions */ Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. 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. 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. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. WebKEY WEST, Fla. A Key West woman faces methamphetamine trafficking and other drug charges after a bust that was assisted by K9 cop Coral, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office mso-style-noshow:yes; They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. The pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. The confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars.