Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. 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. 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. The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. mso-style-noshow:yes; 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-para-margin-left:0in; The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. 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. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . The confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. 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. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. 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. WebKEY 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 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. 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. Mastermind behind largest meth seizure in Polk history was There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said a long-term drug investigation took down a major drug distribution ring in Jacksonville consisting of 27 arrests. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. 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. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. "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. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. At the initial approachto the house there were 2 Customs agents, Seals andanother, the other 3 were Sheriffs deputies one of whomwas Mike Barber. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. 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. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. 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. Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. Book captures Keys' drug-running heyday Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. drug bust X-NONE 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. 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. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. Published on Big Pine Keys garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. Florida Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. Florida Keys men arrested for drug trafficking after K9 finds stash a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. Oct 23, 2020. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. Crime If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. 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. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County tons of seized cocaine, marijuana worth over (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. 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. 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. What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. 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. 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. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. 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 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. mso-style-priority:99; This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 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. 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. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. 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. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. 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 situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. 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. 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. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! Traffic stop results in drug bust. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. Contact Us 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. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. Normal Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. 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 individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. 1401 79th Street Causeway mso-para-margin-top:0in; She might be cute. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. On March 21. 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 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. 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. Theyre accused of selling crack We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. independent local journalism in Miami. table.MsoNormalTable During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. The illegal On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. 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. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. Several weapons were also found at the scene. {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; Feds charge Florida Keys woman and Homestead man with dealing FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. X-NONE 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. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. drug bust These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. 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. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! Miami, FL 33141