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. "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. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. 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. mso-para-margin-top:0in; 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. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. 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. 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. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. Several weapons were also found at the scene. 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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; 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. Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! 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. He didnt. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. 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. The investigation started a month ago. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. 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. 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. ~Editor. 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. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. /* Style Definitions */ WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. 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. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. 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. Florida Gov. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. 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. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. 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. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. 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. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. "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. 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 presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. mso-style-parent:""; One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. 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. 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. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? line-height:115%; 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. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. Jul 17, 2021. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. 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. 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. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. The canine deputy joined the department about three months ago and on Monday she caught yet another suspected drug dealer. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. 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. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. 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. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. 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. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. 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. Harry, he replied. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. mso-pagination:widow-orphan; The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. 0 All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. 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. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. false #news pic.twitter.com/rUf0Etk61f. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. 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. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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 might be cute. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. 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. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. 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. mso-para-margin-right:0in; Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. 1401 79th Street Causeway Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with 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. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. 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. 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 suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. Miami's independent source of The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. 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. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. 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. 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. mso-para-margin-left:0in; Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. false Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. 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. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. - 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. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. 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. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. Normal Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. 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. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; 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. ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. 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. 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. 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. X-NONE The illegal They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. WFTV Detectives said the organization 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. 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.