Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. "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 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. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's false There might have been something else,but it escapes me. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. Miami's independent source of In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. WebA 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. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. 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. mso-para-margin-right:0in; 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. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Miami, FL 33141 The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. On March 21. They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. 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. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. 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. /* Style Definitions */ 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. 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. 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. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. Published on Big Pine Keys garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays. false 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. 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. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. The unloaders of the pot were young Cuban men and were caught milling around Long Beach Road where there are no Cubansnormally seen. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 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. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. 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. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. 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. independent local journalism in Miami. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. mso-style-parent:""; 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. 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. "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. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. 0 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. Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. #breakingnews #florida. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. 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. 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. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. 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. The bag contained 25 bricks of cocaine. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered X-NONE Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. 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. 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. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. mso-para-margin-left:0in; 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. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. 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. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. 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. 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. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. 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. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. Join the New Times community and help support Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. 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. "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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. 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. 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. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. Normal WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. Traffic stop results in drug bust. All three were arrested and taken to jail. 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. Theyre accused of selling crack Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; 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. mso-style-noshow:yes; 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. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 29. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Oct 23, 2020. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. mso-style-priority:99; 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. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. WebThe U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that it was offloading a record-shattering amount of cocaine and marijuana at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. Contact Us If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 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. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. 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. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; "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. She might be cute. All rights reserved. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. 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 Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. 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 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. 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. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. The confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. 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. 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. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? It was a routine bust.. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. 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. 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. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. 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. 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. 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. 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. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. ~Editor. The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. 1401 79th Street Causeway Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. The pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. 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. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. The canine deputy joined the department about three months ago and on Monday she caught yet another suspected drug dealer. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. EN-US 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. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. 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 guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. 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. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. 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 For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. The illegal 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. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. 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. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. 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. 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. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. 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.