Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. Theyre accused of selling crack Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. Published on Big Pine Keys garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. 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. Miami, FL 33141 mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. Several weapons were also found at the scene. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison 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. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. 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 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. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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. 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 Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. mso-style-parent:""; 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 cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off #breakingnews #florida. Traffic stop results in drug bust. 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. The canine deputy joined the department about three months ago and on Monday she caught yet another suspected drug dealer. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. mso-para-margin-top:0in; 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-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; ~Editor. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. 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. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. 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. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. WebNo. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested following a search of their residence WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. 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. 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. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. "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. She graduated from Indiana University. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. 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. The investigation started a month ago. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. Oct 23, 2020. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; 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. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. 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. On March 21. They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. 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. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. 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. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. 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. 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. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. 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. X-NONE If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. 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. 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. Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. 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. 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. Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. 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. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. 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. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. 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. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 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. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. 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. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. 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. 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. WFTV Detectives said the organization A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. Freeman said he was eager to gain title to the smuggling vehicles for his department. 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 Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. 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. 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. Agents of the Sheriffs Department, the U.S. CustomsService and the Florida Marine Patrol culminated amonth-long investigation at 4 a.m., seizing three boats,three trucks and a gold Cadillac. She might be cute. The confiscated vehicles are expected to be valued in the thousands of dollars. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's 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. font-size:11.0pt; Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. 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. 0 Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. 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. 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.