"Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. The bag contained 25 bricks of cocaine. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. bust Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash Other charges, such as possession of a concealed weapon by several defendants, were pending. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. The Big Coppitt cowboys were the most successful. The 30 suspects surrendered peacefully. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. They were too many of them and they were too obvious. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. 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. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. 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. 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. "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. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. 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. Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. 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. 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. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. 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. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! WFTV Detectives said the organization Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. 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. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs found along coast of Florida Keys mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} The amount of opiates seized were "enough to kill every single resident of Brevard County," which has an estimated population of about 590,000 people, according to police. Web2:09 PM EST, Wed February 24, 2021. He was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine. 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. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Same as you, waiting, the agent responded. 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. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. 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. All rights reserved, What's With the Construction on I-95 in Broward? Theyre accused of selling crack We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. From the Miami HeraldNovember 14, 1980By Michael Capuzzo and Robert Rivas Herald Staff Writers. #news pic.twitter.com/rUf0Etk61f. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. Border Patrol officials ask the public to report any suspicious activity by calling their toll free number 1-877-772-8146. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. The Smith and Wesson was in the center console of the car, Faison said. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. 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. 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 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. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. 4 Sloans Trailer ParkJuan Manuel Venegas, 29, 837 Eighth Ave.Fisherman Michael Patrick OBrien, 22, 216 LincolnGardens. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. The pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. 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. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. These werent Saturday night specials, the deputy, said. 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. 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. Keys woman facing numerous drug counts after pot smell leads to pills, cocaine. 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. ~Editor. Contact Us font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; 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. On Friday afternoon, Alvarez-Bermudez remained jailed without bond at the Stock Island Detention Center. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. Several larger weapons were found in the car and in the area. 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. 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. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. Coral joined the Monroe County Sheriffs Office this past fall, and it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. 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. Alvarez-Bermudez is a convicted felon, so his possession of the gun drew a felony charge. 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. 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. Brandy Victoria Gesell, 38, was arrested after a traffic stop Thursday night on Big Pine Key. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. 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. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies were praising K9 Coral on Tuesday. man arrested, charged with trafficking cocaine in Florida Keys Fentanyl bust: Enough drugs seized to kill half of Florida, Attorney 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. mso-para-margin-top:0in; The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. 6 to Know: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina, Search - NBC 6 South - 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. false Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. 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 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. Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. 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. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. On foot and in boats, law officers surprised the smugglers, shutting off their escape by land and sea. Then a Florida Keys condo leader was arrested Updated January 30, 2023 5:55 PM . Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. 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. Whats that smell in the Florida Keys? Sergio Galvan was arrested Saturday, too. false 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. 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. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. An official confided that at least a half dozen hand guns were taken from the suspects. Pacheco does not have a concealed carry permit for the weapon, according to the report. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. 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. A major drug operation in the Keys was disrupted Friday, leading to the arrest of six people on multiple drug-related charges. 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. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Traffic stop results in drug bust | Mile Markers | keysnews.com 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. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. Florida Gov. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. 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. This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; 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. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. Among the arrested: Domingo F. Galvan, 44, a registered nurse at Key Wests tiny DePoo Memorial Hospital. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. A 35-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested following a search of their residence Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. My Favorite Drug-Sniffing Florida Keys Police Authorities said several rolled bills containing a powdery substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamines were found inside of the BMW. 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. drug bust 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. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking Fifteen agents from three agencies seized 25,000 poundsof marijuana in the pre-dawn bust on Big Pine Key. X-NONE A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. 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. /* Style Definitions */ David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. 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. mso-style-parent:""; Law enforcement arrests 83 people in EN-US The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. On March 21. This time she alerted deputies to drugs inside a Lexus and a BMW that were pulled over Monday afternoon on Big Pine Key. 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. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. WebMarathon couple charged with possession in drug bust. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. She's just a few weeks into her job with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. One of the bales hadapparentlybroken open, one officer said, and had been patched with a Colombian newspaper. 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. Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. 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. Harry, what you doing here? the other man queried. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. mso-para-margin-left:0in; A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. 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.