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. 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. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. mso-style-noshow:yes; The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. 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. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking 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. He said then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. - 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. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; The illegal The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. 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. Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. 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 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. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; 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. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. 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. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. 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. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. 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. Join the New Times community and help support We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? 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. /* Style Definitions */ According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. 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. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. 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. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Harry, he replied. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; 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 police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. 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. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Jul 17, 2021. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. 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. 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. Miami's independent source of Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. 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. #news pic.twitter.com/rUf0Etk61f. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. 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 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. They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. 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. 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. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. false Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. line-height:115%; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 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. EN-US 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. WebNo. #breakingnews #florida. 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 Police in Florida arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, marijuana, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. Published on Big Pine Keys garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. 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. 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. mso-para-margin-left:0in; 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. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. She might be cute. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. 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. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida 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 police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. 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-para-margin-right:0in; The three alleged organizational leaders were identified as Brandon Huff, 35, and Jonathan Walker, 42, both of Cocoa, and Megan Wilborn, 31, of Merritt Island. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. 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. This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. Contact Us The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. He didnt. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. It was a routine bust.. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. 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. 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. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with #BorderPatrol agents have responded to multiple drug washups & seized approx. false A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. Oct 23, 2020. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. table.MsoNormalTable K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. 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. 29. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway.