X-NONE 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. WFTV Detectives said the organization The 29s lawyer knew about the smuggle. 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. 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. Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. "Arrest warrants were issued for each of the 100 suspects who have been identified throughout the course of the investigation as sources or distributors of these deadly drugs," the sheriff's office said in a statement. 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. FLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. On March 21. 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. The men were in the process of bonding out late Saturday. Good Samaritans found the drugs & notified authorities. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. 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. 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. Based on anonymous tips, Customs, Sheriffs Department and Marine Patrol aircraft began watching the Big Pine Key area, officials said. X-NONE 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. ~Editor. They also took at least a half dozen guns, including several satin steel, pearl-handled handguns, and a replica of a Colt .45. 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. 27 lbs of marijuana & 3 lbs of cocaine. Traffic stop results in drug bust | Mile Markers | keysnews.com false The senior citizen also had a 9mm handgun, 189 rounds of ammunition and a digital scale, police said. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". She graduated from Indiana University. WebNo. 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. Tawana Blackman and Leroy Lawson were arrested at that location. 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. These people were very organized and were selling lots of drugs, he said. Because of that the cops got a tip off that there was an pot unloading operation going on. table.MsoNormalTable and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. 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. Drugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. Colonel Rick Ramsay, who was there when the searches were conducted, said this was a large drug sales operation. Horace Calhoun, Clarence Moore, Jr. and Shamichael Johnson were all at the apartment and taken into custody. it wasnt long before she was racking up drug busts. "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. Book captures Keys' drug-running heyday 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. Copyright 2022 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. Ramsey also said that receiving information from law abiding citizens is important, especially in cases like this. drug bust ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. The owner of a shrimp boat that was seized off Texas last year with 33 tons of marijuana aboard. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. mso-style-priority:99; The pot that came from a square grouper was called sea weed. Coral the K9 helped catch two suspected drug traffickers in the Florida Keys on Monday. 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. 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 Danielle2.5 Tons Pot250,000 Quaaludes1979, Officers Mark Walker and Doug Smith Sugarloaf Key 1980. Letters to the editor with pictures since 2002. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. The back door of one was still painted in the companys turquoise color with the word Sears still visible. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. drug bust Monroe County sheriffs deputies pulled over his four-door Mercedes around 1 a.m. Friday behind the Seagrapes Apartment complex at 7155 Overseas Highway. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. According to authorities, deputies spotted Howard driving a black BMW south on U.S. 1 around 2:40 p.m. Monday. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. 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. 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. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. RELATED: What is rainbow fentanyl? During the wait, the lobby at the department filled with relatives, friends of the arrested men and interested on-lookers. Here's One Way to Pay Off Your Debt, Check Your Change! Officials say they havent been able to destroy it because of a paperwork backlog. mso-pagination:widow-orphan; WebDrugs seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in Monroe County. The illegal 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. WebFLORIDA KEYS, Fla. (WSVN) The Monroe County Sheriffs Office carried out a drug bust. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The unloaders of the pot were young Cuban men and were caught milling around Long Beach Road where there are no Cubansnormally seen. Florida Keys men arrested for drug trafficking after K9 finds stash RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing," Staly said. 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. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. mso-style-noshow:yes; 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. Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved. The suspects were identified by authorities as Misty Marie Howard, 39, of Big Pine Key, who had a warrant for trafficking The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. Florida Gov. 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. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. At that point the two came face to face and the alleged smuggler, cried, Al, mi madre, the police.. Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. Crime If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE," Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. 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. 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. 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. 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. They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. The woman in the front seat was not arrested, nor was the 15-year-old. Over the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. A man going out on the smugglers mother ship could make a quick $100,000. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. The search by Special Operations detectives revealed a crack cocaine lab at the 2nd street location that contained powdered cocaine, crack cocaine and about 350 grams of marijuana packaged for sale. independent local journalism in Miami. WebAt age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; Bert Thompson waited for a list of the names of those arrested and the charges to be filed. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. These Are the Four Wildest Drug Finds Off the Coast of Florida A man in a smaller boat could clear maybe $40,000. 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. Law enforcement arrests 83 people in This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. We didnt fire a single shot, a Customs agent said. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. drug bust That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. The estimated value of the marijuana was listed at $2 million. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. Authorities said several rolled bills containing a powdery substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamines were found inside of the BMW. The tension and violence in the air was awful for a hippy like me. 6 to Know: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina, Search - NBC 6 South 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. They captured 29 smugglers, and only missedtwo who swam away. 29 out of 31 is a pretty good scorefor only 5 men against 32 armed smugglers! The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. A A. MARATHON, Fla. Two Marathon men are facing multiple drug charged, including trafficking in fentanyl, after a Monroe County Sheriff K9 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. And a Monroe County commissioner and well-known Florida Keys businessman has died after a battle with COVID-19, friends confirmed. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Inside the bag, deputies found 37 liquid marijuana cartridges used for vaping. Authorities said additional deputies were called to the scene along with K9 Coral, who alerted them to drugs in the Lexus and BMW. By Citizen Staff. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). In all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Courtwith drug trafficking. "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. He plans to break records, These Florida spots, one in the Keys, made the best beaches list. Authorities said Bell was driving the Lexus and Dyer was the passenger. Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. 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. 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. 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. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. WebThe Border Patrol said 73 pounds of cocaine and 62 pounds of marijuana were found between two days. 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. 0 Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. The presence of the Sooth Carolina man led officials to speculate that that was the destination of the contraband. WebIn all, 30 people were charged in U.S. District Court with drug trafficking. Mastermind behind largest meth seizure in Polk history was 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. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. There might have been something else,but it escapes me. Florida traffic stop uncovers poached lobsters, drugs, and cash Slosar said Good Samaritans stumbled upon the drugs and notified authorities. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The cocaine, wrapped up in 25 packages stuffed in a large sack and found off Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. mso-style-parent:""; Nelson Alvarez-Bermudez, of Big Coppitt Key, was jailed Thursday after the Monroe County 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. pic.twitter.com/hN3VjDEG2G, On Wednesday, a Good Samaritan discovered 68 lbs. mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered That was one of the scariest nights I ever had. bust a woman for drug possession in the Florida Keys. 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. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. At age 71, this Florida Keys man is working steady in the drug-dealing game, police say. Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's See what the rescue teams saw, Retired Navy officer enters Florida Keys undersea lodge. They will be turned over to the sheriff for disposal, either by sale or for use in his department. 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. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. A police K-9 sniffed out more than six ounces of cocaine inside a car during a traffic stop. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. Robert Brown, a convicted felon, along with Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. Some of the many boats confiscated during the smuggling days and their captured loads are shown below. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. ), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. 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.