~Editor. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. 29. mso-style-priority:99; Miami's independent source of Theyre accused of selling crack Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; The confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. 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. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. Florida Keys Drug Arrests | Robertson & Hunter, LLP Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. "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. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. By Citizen Staff. 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. false 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. /* Style Definitions */ She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Megan Faison wrote in her report that she asked a 22-year-old female passenger in the front seat to roll her window all the way down so he could safely look inside the car, since it had dark tinted windows. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. A 71-year-old Keys drug dealer was busted, police said - Miami He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. It was a routine bust.. 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. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. Miami man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs found along coast of Florida Keys 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. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. 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. 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. 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. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. The bag contained 25 bricks of cocaine. 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 didnt. 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. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . false 1401 79th Street Causeway Mastermind behind largest meth seizure in Polk history was On March 21. font-size:11.0pt; 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. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. #news pic.twitter.com/rUf0Etk61f. drug bust With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. 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. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". 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. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} My Favorite Drug-Sniffing Florida Keys Police Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. 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. {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; Florida Gov. As lawmen gathered near the off-loading site on the bayside of Big Pine Key, a Customs agent was approached by one of the alleged offenders. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. 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. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. 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. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 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. 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. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 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. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested following a search of their residence One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. 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. 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. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. 0 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. Florida Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. 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. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. mso-style-noshow:yes; 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. 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. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? Traffic stop results in drug bust. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. Marathon couple charged with possession in drug bust Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. "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. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. Oct 23, 2020. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. 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. The investigation started a month ago. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. 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. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. 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. Tipsters may remain anonymous. The pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. 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. The illegal CAKEGATE 2023: Bad Bunny's Restaurant Accused of Gobbling Birthday Girl's Cake, Neighborhood Nazi Jon Minadeo Peddles Hate by the Minute, Affordable New "Micro-Units" Slated for Little River, Edgewater, Sen. Rubio's Permanent Daylight Savings Bill Sees Light of Day Once More, NFL Legend Ray Lewis Joins World Jai-Alai League Board of Directors. She might be cute. According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. 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. 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. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. 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. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. mso-style-parent:""; 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. 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. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. The long process known as coking in police language continued into the evening hours Saturday at the Monroe County Sheriffs Department 30 men rounded up during a pre-dawn marijuana bust were being questioned by officials. Jul 17, 2021. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. Miami, FL 33141 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 The unloaders of the pot were young Cuban men and were caught milling around Long Beach Road where there are no Cubansnormally seen. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. 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. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. mso-para-margin-top:0in; 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. 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. All three were arrested and taken to jail. Law enforcement arrests 83 people in This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. 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. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. 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. #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. - 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. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered independent local journalism in Miami. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. 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. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. 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. mso-pagination:widow-orphan; Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Florida Keys - Miami Herald 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. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. 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.