Orange County Sheriff, and other law enforcement agencies released information about a major drug bust involving Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Orlando. They arrested 18 people, many who face charges of selling or buying drugs. Here are seven restaurants within Central Florida that provide meals, drinks and stunning waterfront views. Officials said three men Xavier Ramos Rosado, Carlos Miguel Velez Olivencia, and Michael Gonzalez Mendez were the lead directors of the alleged drug operation. Los Angeles, one of nine cities targeted by Operation Crystal Shield, is a hub for drug traffickers because of the proximity to numerous freeways and airports. While out on bond, officials later learned that Hernandez was still trafficking narcotics. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The sheriff said a wiretap investigation began in February 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. TAMPA, Fla. A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison after conspiring to distribute hundreds of grams of substances containing methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. It just wouldnt happen. So far, they have not filed charges. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The operation began in Fort Myers in early 2019 and focused on finding drug suppliers in the city, authorities said. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Someone whos responsible for this quantity of drugs is someone who is very, very trusted by the cartels, Bodner said. 2. Over $649,665 in illegal drugs have been taken off the streets of Southwest Florida due to the. Thats when police said they found the narcotics there were approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine, 1.36 kilograms of GHB, 1 gram of cocaine, 3.6 grams of fentanyl, 15 MDMA tablets and drug paraphernalia. Four others are still on the run. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much . Both were arrested and delivered to the Hernando County Jail, charged with heroin trafficking, distribution of heroin and possession of a vehicle for drug trafficking. The two agreed to meet that day at an apartment complex parking lot, authorities say. Credit: Sarasota Police Department "The amount of cocaine coming into Central Florida over the last couple years has actually driven down the price of bulk cocaine by approximately one third," he said. Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. Updated Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. Postal Service and other private carriers to ship cocaine from Puerto Rico to Central Florida, and then distribute it here and up the Eastern Coast, including Maine and New Jersey. Discovery Company. Other contraband was seized during 20 interdictions of suspected drug smuggling ships by eight American and UK vessels, the Coast Guard said. The concern there is that they are very violent and theyre very aggressive and they are largely responsible for much of the meth in this country, said Shea. HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) - A Florida K-9 helped make nearly a $700,000 drug bust during a traffic stop in Hernando County, troopers said. 5:39 PM EST, Tue February 4, 2020. Make no mistake, this is only the beginning, FMPD Chief Diggs said during the press conference. I believe that they do and they need to address it, he said. Police: 1 person dead, another hurt in Pinellas Park shooting, 1 person dead, another hurt in Pinellas Park apartment shooting, police say, 'This is tough': 3 killed, including 2 young children, in Hillsborough County fire, 10 Weather: Sunny skies and low humidity Tuesday, FWC: Boat captain killed by lightning strike in Brevard County. Four people were arrested Tuesday at a Naples home and are facing multiple drug charges. A low level operative would not be trusted to hold $18 million of drugs in a house. The investigation was done by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. DEA, and the U.S. 2023 Cable News Network. Postal Service to ship cocaine through the islands and states. 7:33 PM EDT, Wed October 14, 2020. Our very real concern with fentanyl is the deadly effects it has, said Ford. Coast Guard authorities said the drugs were intercepted in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 27-year federal prison sentence for Florida man convicted in massive drug bust Law enforcement agents said they also found more than $400,000 in cash. Between the fiscal years 2017-2019, DEA domestic seizures of meth increased 127% from 49,507 pounds to 112,146 pounds, according to the DEA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated in the raid of a Fort Myers auto shop. Thats when K9 Titan sniffed out 5.5 pounds of heroin worth in excess of $693,000. Ford and other deputies said Mendez was arrested after a traffic incident that began when Mendez almost hit a deputy while driving through Bay County. Drugs: Fentanyl Alprazolam (Xanax) Cannabis Cocaine (powder) Cocaine (crack) Heroin Hydromorphone Hydrocodone MDMA Methamphetamine Methadone Oxycodone Weapons and ammo: 6 handguns (2 stolen) A Tech. )], Judd said the investigation began in September 2020 when the sheriffs office received information a family in Winter Haven, identified as the Jefferson family, was smuggling large amounts of drugs into Florida from Mexico through California and then to the streets of Central Florida.. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Those findings come as no surprise in Escambia. We bought and made predicate cases for the wiretap throughout the two ensuing years, but we couldnt get to the top and link the organization together. The drugs were found packed inside 25 duffel bags and ready for distribution, according to authorities. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. - A multi-agency investigation uncovered an international smuggling operation out of Winter Haven that brought drugs into Central Florida, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. The Lee County Sheriffs Office, Cape Coral Police Department, Collier County Sheriffs Office, Charlotte County Sheriffs Office, Hendry County Sheriffs Office, Glades County Sheriffs Office, Fort Myers Police Department and the Lee County Port Authority all worked together through the Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, which formed in late 2019. Our K-9s can read.. He said the alleged drug trafficking ring used the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized more than 2,200 pounds of methamphetamine earlier this month, the largest haul in the agency's history domestically, according to officials. More than $411 million worth of cocaine and marijuana was offloaded in Florida on Wednesday following a series of busts in international waters. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Kari Belcher, 40, Christopher Belcher, 36, Derrick Higginbotham, 39, and Mary . Officials also seized 25 guns and fentanyl, a highly potent --and deadly synthetic opioid. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, 41 arrested, over $600K in illegal drugs seized in multi-agency drug sting, Naples man sentenced to 25 years in prison for producing child porn, Cape Coral man arrested for trafficking slew of drugs on numerous occasions, University of Florida announces it will allow fans at football games at 20% capacity, Forecast: Quieter and less humid weather tomorrow, NBC2 tours destroyed Fort Myers Beach Town Hall before its torn down, Cape Coral man killed following early morning hit-and-run, Cape Coral retail center closes due to flooding. Last month, Attorney General William Barr and Shea announced that in six months of the operation, agents seized more than 28,000 pounds of meth, $43.3 million in drug proceeds and 284 firearms. On one occasion on one airline, six suitcases with this drug was smuggled into Orlando. Victor Manuel Hernandez was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for a narcotics conspiracy involving heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. She graduated from UCF and returned to Central Florida after working in Colorado. [TRENDING: How much? Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized more than 2,200 pounds of methamphetamine earlier this month, the largest haul in the agencys history domestically, according to officials. All Rights Reserved. Florida Gov. A civilian budget analyst for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was arrested after committing retail theft at a Walmart on Wednesday, according to Polk County deputies. 2023 Cable News Network. . The investigation started in Sept. 2020 . Investigators said they have arrested Amador Mendez Jr., 33, and charged him with trafficking fentanyl, possession of meth and fleeing and eluding law enforcement officers. Residue amounts can be fatal.. Shea said that the capture of the drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, interrupted the Sinaloa Cartels operations, making room for rival Jalisco Cartel to rise and clash. Florida bust: 85 arrested, $12.8M in drugs seized . The street value of drugs confiscated by Florida authorities is over $12.8 Million. He had previously been convicted of a felony, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, which meant he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law, according to authorities. 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. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. A total of 35 people were arrested and face a variety of charges, including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, trafficking in cocaine, and trafficking in Fentanyl, among others. 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. These seizures are significant not just because of the sheer volume, but because its a sign of a deeply concerning trend meth is pouring into the United States through our southern border and is destroying too many communities and more importantly, too many lives, said Shea. When authorities searched his car, they found 978 grams of meth. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Some nicotine-free e-cigarettes still have nicotine: lab report, NYC drug dealers hawk narcotics from van, driving up business for nearby injection sites, Bronx Tale star Lillo Brancato: Im clean and inspiring others after cop slay horror, Second drug dealer pleads guilty to selling actor Michael K. Williams fatal heroin dose. All Rights Reserved. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. Following his arrest, Hernandez took agents to his home where law enforcement officials discovered 800 grams of heroin, 4 more kilograms of meth, 13 guns and assorted ammunition inside the house. Ford gave details on a significant seizure of 235,000 milligrams fentanyl that took place this morning in Bay County. The DEAs focus is to interrupt the drug transportation chain in the cities that account for 75% distribution of all meth distributed in the country, Shea said. Judd. This was a very different kind of operation. [TRENDING: DeSantis to lift restaurant limits in Fla. | Heres how to track your mail-in ballot | How can I tell difference between flu and COVID-19?]. Thanks for contacting us. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. The drugs were seized at an alleged stash house east of Los Angeles in Perris, California, on October 2. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The drugs in that bust were seized at the Otay Mesa port of entry to San Diego. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Congress close to deal that would include more COVID stimu Woman fatally shot by upstate NY homeowner after pulling into wrong driveway: sheriff, Haribo fans shocked to learn green gummy bear flavor: 'Calling the police', Yuengling takes apparent jab at Bud Light with conspicuous tweet, Mike & Molly star Billy Gardell details 150-pound weight loss: My diabetes is gone, Pump Rules alum Billie Lee exits Tom Sandovals home in same clothes from night prior, Robert Kraft, Meek Mill to march in Poland to fight anti-Semitism, Larry Brooks previews seventh playoff series between Rangers, Devils, Even AOC Cant Believe Netflix Crashed During Love Is Blind Live Reunion, Viewers pan Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos' 'brutal' first 'Live' show together. Did you encounter any technical issues? September 5, 2020. Florida police say they have seized enough fentanyl to kill nearly half a million people in a drug bust in Palm Coast.. Brian Pirraglia, 39, and Michael Connelly, 40, were both taken into custody . CLERMONT, Fla. - Two people are behind bars after authorities in Lake County found drugs and firearms during a drug bust at a Clermont home. "The members of this organization are accused of trafficking hundreds of kilos of cocaine into and through Central Florida," he told reporters during a press conference on Thursday afternoon. If you look at our org chart there, youll notice that theres kind of three distinct groups of people, he said. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. According to the State Attorneys Office, the operation took place over the last several months. 2 years Ago. ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Federal and state officials said more than 339 kilos or 700 pounds of cocaine was seized and 35 people arrested in an international drug trafficking ring that shipped and distributed the drugs in Central Florida, and along the U.S. Eastern Coast. The sheriff said the drugs were smuggled in suitcases through domestic flights from LAX. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Ford gave details on a significant seizure of. During the press conference, Shea mentioned last weeks second-largest border seizure of meth in which federal agents confiscated more than 3,000 pounds of meth, heroin, fentanyl powder, and pills laced with fentanyl. A once-standout U.S. narcotics agent has admitted conspiring to launder money with a Colombian drug cartel. Before that, the top years were in 1991 and 1992 during the crack cocaine epidemic, he said. according to a US Customs and Border Protection statement. A bag full of drugs is seen on display by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office. How safe is travel to Mexico and Central America? CNN Eighty-five suspects were arrested and over $12.8 million in drugs were confiscated in a two-year undercover drug trafficking investigation, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said on. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. The drugs were seized on October 2. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. MELBOURNE, Fla. A four-month operation led to the discovery of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and more at a Brevard County home, according to the Melbourne Police Department. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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