The three alleged organizational leaders were identified as Brandon Huff, 35, and Jonathan Walker, 42, both of Cocoa, and Megan Wilborn, 31, of Merritt Island. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. 0 Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. 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. The Holiday Inn doesnt check as many people in and out a day as I do. the sheriff mused as he, members of the press and Public Information Officer Sgt. A 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 Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. 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. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's Several weapons were also found at the scene. 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. 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 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. 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. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. 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. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} 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. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; He didnt. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. 1401 79th Street Causeway Miami, FL 33141 Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. 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. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. 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. She graduated from Indiana University. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. 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. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. On March 21. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. The illegal 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. Traffic stop results in drug bust. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Harry, he replied. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. "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. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. Normal According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. 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. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. 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. 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. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Authorities said several rolled bills containing a powdery substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamines were found inside of the BMW. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. 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. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. 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. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. X-NONE There might have been something else,but it escapes me. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. table.MsoNormalTable In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. Jul 17, 2021. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. 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. WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". 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. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. 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. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. 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. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. The investigation started a month ago. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. 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. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. All rights reserved. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. mso-style-priority:99; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; 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. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. "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. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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 with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 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. WebFLORIDA 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. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. 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. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. 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. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. 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. 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. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. line-height:115%; Dyer was found in possession of the following, according to deputies: Deputies said Bell was found to be in possession of three grams of MDMA/ecstasy and a metal pipe. K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. 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. 29. WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. 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. 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. Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. 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. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. font-size:11.0pt; All three were arrested and taken to jail. Contact Us Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. 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 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. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. 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. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. These square grouper were picked up by cowboys in fast boats who listened to the marine radio day and night for word when there was a dumping. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? WFTV Detectives said the organization pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday. "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. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. 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. false mso-para-margin-right:0in; Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. 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. Tipsters may remain anonymous. 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.
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