The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. Over 100 arrested in massive Florida drug bust after months Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. 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. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; 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. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com 29. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. 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. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. Law enforcement arrests 83 people in 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. 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. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} 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. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off Florida Gov. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. 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. 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. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. Deputies checked the car and found 38 more marijuana vaping products, a loaded Taurus .40 caliber handgun, a Smith and Wesson SD40 VE handgun, five 12-gauge shotgun shells, 57 .22 magnum bullets, and one 9 mm bullet, as well as various drug equipment, including rolling papers and a marijuana grinder, according to the report. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. independent local journalism in Miami. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 I was just a hanger-on, not a player. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. Crime 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 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. table.MsoNormalTable 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. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. false On March 21. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. 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. 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. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. 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. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Miami, FL 33141 Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. 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. Published on Big Pine Keys garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. tons of seized cocaine, marijuana worth over "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. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. 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. 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. Oct 23, 2020. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. 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. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Among those arrested at a marijuana off-loading site on Big Pine Key were several familiar Key West names including Nelson Jamardo, better known as Ping Ping; Francisco Hernandez, 58, a former fireman for the Navy and now a watch engineer at the City Electric System; Antonio Tony Hernandez, 50, owner of David Electric; Manuel Sanchez, 57, salesman at Sears; and Domingo Galvan, 44, a registered nurse employed at DePoo Memorial Doctors Hospital. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. mso-para-margin-left:0in; Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. - A major drug bust led deputies to 120 gallons of liquid meth being transported in buckets by suspects from Georgia to Florida, overseen by a "mastermind" who ran the operation from federal prison, officials said Thursday. 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. 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. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Normal During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. "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. mso-para-margin-right:0in; FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. 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. Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. 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. This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Join the New Times community and help support Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. Fentanyl bust: Enough drugs seized to kill half of Florida, Attorney mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; A 71-year-old Keys drug dealer was busted, police said - Miami false mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. mso-style-priority:99; Theyre accused of selling crack The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. 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. At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. The pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Florida Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Florida Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; Six Arrested in Keys Drug Bust Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. Mastermind behind largest meth seizure in Polk history was Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Contact Us Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. "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. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. 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. "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. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash 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. it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. ~Editor. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. X-NONE 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 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.