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. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. A 71-year-old Keys drug dealer was busted, police said - Miami During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. 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. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Miami's independent source of drug bust Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it Join the New Times community and help support Florida Keys men arrested for drug trafficking after K9 finds stash "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; WFTV Detectives said the organization 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. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. 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. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. drug bust Contact Us Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. Marathon couple charged with possession in drug bust 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. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. 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. WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. 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. 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 Oct 23, 2020. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. 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. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Florida Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. Feds charge Florida Keys woman and Homestead man with dealing A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. 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. 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. A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested following a search of their residence 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs found along coast of Florida Keys #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. 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. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. 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. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com 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. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. 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 site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. 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. I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. Mastermind behind largest meth seizure in Polk history was pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. tons of seized cocaine, marijuana worth over mso-para-margin-right:0in; "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. Florida Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. Ruff arrest: K9 busts alleged drug trafficker in Florida Keys - WPLG Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG Theyre accused of selling crack mso-style-parent:""; 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. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp 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. In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 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. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! 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. They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. 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. The bag contained 25 bricks of cocaine. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. 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. 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. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. font-size:11.0pt; Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana I was just a hanger-on, not a player. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. Harry, he replied. 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. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. 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. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. 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. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. 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. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. 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. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with Jul 17, 2021. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. The pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. mso-pagination:widow-orphan; Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. 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. 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. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. - 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. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; false This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. 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 man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; EN-US See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. All rights reserved. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. 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. The drugnet, in addition to the arrests, resulted in the confiscation of approximately 500 bales of marijuana; two T-Craft boats; a 40-foot Lobster boat, Miss Lucy out of Marathon; two closed body trucks, a 1980 van, a pickup truck and a 1979 Cadillac. Fentanyl bust: Enough drugs seized to kill half of Florida, Attorney The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. mso-style-priority:99; Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. 0 Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. 1401 79th Street Causeway Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. X-NONE The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. "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. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. Crime They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. 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. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Tipsters may remain anonymous. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. X-NONE She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. 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 confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. 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. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? 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. Several weapons were also found at the scene. 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. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. 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. table.MsoNormalTable Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. drug bust 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. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Florida Keys Drug Arrests | Robertson & Hunter, LLP FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. "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. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of.