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. 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. 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. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. 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. false The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! It was a routine bust.. 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. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. 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. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 "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. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. 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. 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. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. 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. 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. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp X-NONE A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. 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. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. 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 So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. 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. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. 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. "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. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 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. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. 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. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-para-margin-top:0in; 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. 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. 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 A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. 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. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. He didnt. All three were arrested and taken to jail. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. 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. 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. mso-para-margin-left:0in; The canine deputy joined the department about three months ago and on Monday she caught yet another suspected drug dealer. Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. mso-style-parent:""; 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. 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. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. Oct 23, 2020. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. 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. 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. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested following a search of their residence Normal On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. Harry, he replied. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. Traffic stop results in drug bust. 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. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. 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. line-height:115%; WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. 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. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; On March 21. WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. 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. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; 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. 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. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. 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 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. Florida Gov. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. 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. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. 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-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? She might be cute. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. 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. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. 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. 29. "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. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The bag contained 25 bricks of cocaine. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. 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. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; Everyones a good friend or family of a number ofpeople. Sheriff William A. Freeman said of thesuspects, who were greeted by about 40 red-eyedrelatives at the Monroe County jail as they were booked. 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. 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. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. Several weapons were also found at the scene. 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. 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. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. X-NONE In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. 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. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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 guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. 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. mso-style-noshow:yes; 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. 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. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off 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. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. 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. Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? 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. independent local journalism in Miami. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. "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. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. 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.