The unloaders of the pot were young Cuban men and were caught milling around Long Beach Road where there are no Cubansnormally seen. 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. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. 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. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. 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. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida 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. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. The canine deputy joined the department about three months ago and on Monday she caught yet another suspected drug dealer. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. 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. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. It was a routine bust.. Cash in the amount of more than $1,000 was seized as well. Friday night, it became clear they were about to hit pay dirt, and officers added men to their stakeout in a posh neighborhood along a mangrove swamp just north of U.S. 1. On March 21. WFTV Detectives said the organization WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Two men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. 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. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. 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. "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. (The-CNN-Wire & 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} "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. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. 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. 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. false Oct 23, 2020. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; There were kidnappings among that crowd, but that is another story and has nothing to do with this one. 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. 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. 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. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. One asshole in particular kept spinning the cylinder of his shiny .45 Colt revolver and making up things to accuse me of. Harry, he replied. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. 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. mso-style-priority:99; The driver was a 43-year-old man from Miami. 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. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. 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. By Citizen Staff. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. 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. These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Dyer is Howards boyfriend, according to the sheriffs office. Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. mso-pagination:widow-orphan; This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. 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. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. Richard Allen Shank, 31, who drives a Pepsi Cola delivery truck in Key West. ~Editor. Miami's independent source of See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. Miami, FL 33141 FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Whoever loaned his van or truck to a smuggler didnt even have to be there to make $10,000. 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. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. The law caught on fast and the days of the cowboys didnt last much longer. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. K9 Coral assisted in the arrest of a Key West woman who faces drug trafficking and possession charges. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. In January she also was credited with helping catch a suspected cocaine dealer. X-NONE The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. Several weapons were also found at the scene. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. 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. WebPolice in the Florida Keys arrested two men this week after discovering large amounts of cash, drugs, 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. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. 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. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. 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. ; Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, No. 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. font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; table.MsoNormalTable Join the New Times community and help support RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. WebA major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. The illegal The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. 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. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The US Coast Guard offloaded more than $500 million worth of cocaine and marijuana in South Florida on Monday. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. Theyre accused of selling crack Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. A detour to the Customs incinerators in Miami is probable. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it I was with him almost every day during that time and knew the full cast of characters. Florida Gov. Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were sitting in the backseat. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. 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. K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Authorities said it the mostdefendants in a single Keys bust and among the most everin any Florida bust. mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; He didnt. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. 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. I hoped I could talk my way out of there. 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. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. The most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County 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. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. 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 pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. In addition to charges of possession of more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana trafficking and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, which were filed against all 30 defendants, charges of carrying concealed weapons were still pending against several of the men. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . 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. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. I was just a hanger-on, not a player. 0 mso-para-margin-left:0in; Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off The 17-year-old was clutching a backpack, according to the report. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. 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. independent local journalism in Miami. 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. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. 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. false Crime Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. 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. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. 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 then that he had gone to get his brother Sergio, 40. 1401 79th Street Causeway Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? mso-para-margin-right:0in; Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. 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. 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. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! Normal Published on Big Pine Keys garbage days, Tuesdays and Fridays. She might be cute. 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. WebNo. All three were arrested and taken to jail. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. 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. mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down.
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