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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. That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; 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. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. EN-US 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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 6 to Know: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina, Search - NBC 6 South There might have been something else,but it escapes me. 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. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. Over 100 arrested in massive Florida drug bust after months The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. 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. "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. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. bust Traffic stop results in drug 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. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. 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. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. Normal Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. 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. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. ~Editor. 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. 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. 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. line-height:115%; Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. mso-style-priority:99; Deputies said they found Alvarez-Bermudez in possession of 22.7 grams of cocaine more than three-quarters of an ounce along with $10,182 cash they suspect came from illicit drug sales. Ruff arrest: K9 busts alleged drug trafficker in Florida Keys - WPLG WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp false Miami man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida 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. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Theyre accused of selling crack On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. Florida Gov. Join the New Times community and help support 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. Its like a big family reunion with five or sixfamilies, said another officer, gazing at the crowd ofkin that included two defendants in this yearscelebrated Key West Cop Case. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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. Fentanyl bust: Enough drugs seized to kill half of Florida, Attorney 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. "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. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. #news pic.twitter.com/rUf0Etk61f. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. mso-para-margin-right:0in; Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. table.MsoNormalTable Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. 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. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County 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. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. He didnt. Six Arrested in Keys Drug Bust Six Arrested in Keys Drug Bust NBC 6 South Florida 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. Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. 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. "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. 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. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. Florida 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. Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off 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. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. "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 plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. 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. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking Traffic stop results in drug bust | Mile Markers | keysnews.com Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. Because the defendants were charged in federal court instead Circuit Court, Customs took the marijuana to Miami saving the sheriffs department the burden of storing it. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. My Favorite Drug-Sniffing Florida Keys Police Authorities said several rolled bills containing a powdery substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamines were found inside of the BMW. - 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 Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. It was a routine bust.. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. The unloaders of the pot were young Cuban men and were caught milling around Long Beach Road where there are no Cubansnormally seen. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? mso-pagination:widow-orphan; These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered 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 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. 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. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} On March 21. Florida Keys - Miami Herald All rights reserved. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. WebNo. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash 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. 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. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. false Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. independent local journalism in Miami. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. 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. {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; 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. 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 major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. Contact Us Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. Book captures Keys' drug-running heyday They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. 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. Law enforcement arrests 83 people in Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. X-NONE The confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars. The investigation started a month ago. 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. A 71-year-old Keys drug dealer was busted, police said - Miami 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. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. 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. ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. Harry, he replied. 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. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. Florida Keys Drug Arrests | Robertson & Hunter, LLP These Are the Four Wildest Drug Finds Off the Coast of Florida The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. 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. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. Crime A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. drug bust All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. 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. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. mso-para-margin-top:0in; 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. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Keys If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. 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. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. The canine deputy joined the department about three months ago and on Monday she caught yet another suspected drug dealer. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. 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. it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. tons of seized cocaine, marijuana worth over She might be cute. Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. 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. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. 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. 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. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? 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. drug bust mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No.