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. Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! 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 investigation started a month ago. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. 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. 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. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. 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. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. /* Style Definitions */ 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. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. table.MsoNormalTable Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. 6 to Know: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina, Search - NBC 6 South WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. 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. #news pic.twitter.com/rUf0Etk61f. 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. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 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. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. 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. Coast guard members work to free the entangled turtle from the bundles of drugs. 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. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. By Citizen Staff. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com Mastermind behind largest meth seizure in Polk history was mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with 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. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; WebNo. 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. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. It was a routine bust.. 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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. 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. 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. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; Six Arrested in Keys Drug Bust NBC 6 South Florida One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. independent local journalism in Miami. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). 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. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. false 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. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. 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. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". All rights reserved. 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. WFTV Detectives said the organization Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. 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. 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. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? 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. He didnt. My Favorite Drug-Sniffing Florida Keys Police Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Miami's independent source of 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. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. 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. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. drug bust Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. 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. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. 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. This page is compiled mostly from Major Seals scrapbook that he wasgraciousenough to share with us. 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. Florida Keys traffic stop turns into guns and drugs bust | Miami Herald 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. Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. mso-para-margin-top:0in; WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. Hes in county jail on Stock Island, and his bond information was not immediately available. 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. She might be cute. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. 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. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. tons of seized cocaine, marijuana worth over The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. Deputies say her Toyota Camry had expired tags and that Coral then alerted to drugs in the car. 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. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida 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. 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. 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. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs found along coast of Florida Keys They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; Several weapons were also found at the scene. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. mso-style-parent:""; The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. mso-style-noshow:yes; Over 100 arrested in massive Florida drug bust after months 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. 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. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. 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. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. "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. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. A 71-year-old Keys drug dealer was busted, police said - Miami These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. 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. 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. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, and illegally harvested lobsters in their vehicle. EN-US Join the New Times community and help support Crime "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. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. 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 individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. All three were arrested and taken to jail. This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. 1401 79th Street Causeway The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. 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. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. 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. 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. 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. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. Traffic stop results in 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. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's These Are the Four Wildest Drug Finds Off the Coast of Florida Miami man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. 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. mso-pagination:widow-orphan; 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. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. Theyre accused of selling crack Florida Keys - Miami Herald 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. 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. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash 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. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable.