Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated in the raid of a Fort Myers auto shop. DeSantis floats higher taxes on Disney, possible prison construction next door, Orlando man kills girlfriend after shooting her in back, claims self-defense: affidavit | 'Had to fire shots', You can check for upcoming mass layoffs near you heres how, Tornado damages dozens of homes in Micco, Florida during Sunday's storms, NWS confirms, Man steals hearse from Florida funeral home, then crashes it: police, A better mousetrap? The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. The DEA, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota Police Department and Bradenton Police Department investigated this case. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. Greg Abbott seeks to pardon convicted murder Daniel Perry, newly unsealed documents from the case show Perry being racist on social media. Acting DEA Administrator Timothy Shea announced the bust at a press conference Wednesday. Investigators said 29 people are facing state d Someone whos responsible for this quantity of drugs is someone who is very, very trusted by the cartels, Bodner said. 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. Before that, the top years were in 1991 and 1992 during the crack cocaine epidemic, he said. 35 people were arrested and face several federal charges after using the U.S. 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. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. And you know some people turn to drugs to deal with that.. The massive stash included more than 23,000 pounds. . Florida. A Florida traffic stop turned into a surprise narcotics bust after police found what looked to be a bag full of drugs in the car. During the press conference, Shea pointed to the pandemic for the rise in drug use and overdoses. All in all, police said they seized 14 grams of cocaine, 4 grams of heroin, 21.8 grams of fentanyl, two MDMA tablets, 2.1 grams of an unknown substance that is being tested and other drug paraphernalia. 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. Director Stucker said 2022 marked the third-largest amount of cocaine that MBI had seized in its history. 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. Were really glad to get this off the streets of Bay County, Ford said. This is enough dope to provide a dose of meth for every man, woman and child in the United States and Mexico, Shea said. 7:33 PM EDT, Wed October 14, 2020. 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. . On Aug. 5 . (Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper made the stop after observing a car going 25 miles per hour over the limit Saturday, the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office said. 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. Several law enforcement agencies including the Orlando Police Department, Osceola County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Border Patrol worked together to focus on taking down the drug-trafficking organization. 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Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. Orlando International Airport raises parking prices | Win tickets to watch Artemis 1 rocket launch | Video shows large gator eating another alligator in Silver Springs | Become a News 6 Insider (its free! Kari Belcher, 40, Christopher Belcher, 36, Derrick Higginbotham, 39, and Mary . BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford held a news conference about a large drug bust. Published [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?]. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. MBI Director Ron Stucker described the bust as "one of the largest cocaine trafficking operations we've seen in Central Florida in three decades.". appreciated. A Florida man is in custody after detectives made what may be the largest marijuana bust in the countys history estimated to be worth millions, according to the Lake County Sheriffs Office. As agents approached Hernandez at the complex, he tried to flee the scene but was placed in custody. 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. Victor Manuel Hernandez was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for a narcotics conspiracy involving heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. NAPLES, Fla.-. A low level operative would not be trusted to hold $18 million of drugs in a house. According to the State Attorneys Office, the operation took place over the last several months. Four others are still on the run. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Florida Gov. In an operation dubbed Extreme Makeover: Fraud Edition, Volusia County deputies busted multiple suspects accused of pretending to be contractors advertising for home repairs following a tornado last month that caused millions of dollars in damage, according to a news release. The Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release . Thanks for contacting us. 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. These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. Other contraband was seized during 20 interdictions of suspected drug smuggling ships by eight American and UK vessels, the Coast Guard said. Cornell Weaver, Brenda Sawyer and Kristina Lee are facing drug-related charges in connection with the investigation. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. - A total of 15 defendants have been indicted on federal drug-trafficking charges and an additional 29 co-conspirators face state drug-trafficking charges as a result of a multi-agency effort to bring down an organized drug trafficking operation in North Florida. The massive stash included more than 23,000 pounds of cocaine and 8,800 pounds of pot, which was dumped by the US Coast Guard Cutter James at Port Everglades. The drugs in that bust were seized at the Otay Mesa port of entry to San Diego. 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. Our K-9s can read.. Its a massive amount.. So far, they have not filed charges. Both occupants of the vehicle, 33-year-old Maurilio Garcia-Torres and 19-year-old Ivania Riestra-Garcia were determined to be undocumented aliens from Mexico. Besides the meth, the DEA found more than 880 pounds of cocaine. "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. All Rights Reserved. 2023 Cable News Network. Those who were arrested had extensive criminal backgrounds, including previous arrests for murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, narcotics and more, according to officials. Aug 12, 2020. A Transportation Security Administration spokesperson said the agencys screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. CLERMONT, Fla. - Two people are behind bars after authorities in Lake County found drugs and firearms during a drug bust at a Clermont home. POLK COUNTY, Fla. A multi-agency investigation uncovered an international smuggling operation out of Winter Haven that brought drugs into Central Florida, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Did you encounter any technical issues? They were discovered hidden in a truck delivering medical supplies from Mexico. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much 2 years Ago. Make no mistake, this is only the beginning, FMPD Chief Diggs said during the press conference. 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. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. 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. 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. Get todays headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. He said the alleged drug trafficking ring used the U.S. The clue? The operation began in Fort Myers in early 2019 and focused on finding drug suppliers in the city, authorities said. An EF-0 tornado damaged between 25 and 30 homes when it touched down in Brevard County as strong storms moved through the area on Sunday, the National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed after sending a team to survey the damage left behind on Monday. - 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. 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. ). Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. According to the Houston Chronicle, among the posts by Perry was a June 2020 one where Perry compared the "Black Lives Matter movement to . 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. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. A search warrant was executed Thursday at the home on Van Buren Street in North Melbourne. Now that doesnt sound like a lot, just 6.8 ounces. The street value of drugs confiscated by Florida authorities is over $12.8 Million. 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. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. If you look at our org chart there, youll notice that theres kind of three distinct groups of people, he said. 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. 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 . The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). All Rights Reserved. Advertisement. 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. Thats when K9 Titan sniffed out 5.5 pounds of heroin worth in excess of $693,000. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. Back in July 2019, law enforcement officials caught up with Victor Manuel Hernandez of Wimauma, Florida, when a "confidential source" spoke with Hernandez and ordered a kilogram of meth, according to court documents obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office of Florida's Middle District. Bill Bodner, DEA special agent in charge for the Los Angeles field division, said the suspects at the Perris stash house are likely big players with the cartels. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Postal Service to ship cocaine through the islands and states. OK, great. Deputies are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a crash Sunday night seriously injured a 67-year-old motorcyclist in Winter Haven. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. News Nation. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. Florida Gov. 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. According to the release, the trooper pulled over a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling southbound on I-75 near the 304 mile marker with a fraudulent Arizona license plate. )], 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.. More than $411 million worth of cocaine and marijuana was offloaded in Florida on Wednesday following a series of busts in international waters. We've received your submission. While out on bond, officials later learned that Hernandez was still trafficking narcotics. You know its a tough time for everybody, he said. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Over $649,665 in illegal drugs have been taken off the streets of Southwest Florida due to the sting, authorities said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. An Orlando man was arrested early Sunday after he shot and killed his girlfriend of eight years in the back, in what he claimed was self-defense, according to an arrest affidavit. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. It just wouldnt happen. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. The Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release Tuesday night that K-9 Titan and a trooper made the big bust on Tuesday afternoon. Note to self- do not traffic your illegal narcotics in bags labeled Bag Full Of Drugs, a Facebook post from the Sheriffs office read. Example video title will go here for this video. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Four people were arrested Tuesday at a Naples home and are facing multiple drug charges. When authorities searched his car, they found 978 grams of meth. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office said investigators uncovered 75 firearms, 9 pounds of methamphetamine, 3 pounds of fentanyl and an undisclosed amount of heroin. Deputies discovered in total: 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine 1.8 ounces of fentanyl 3 fentanyl patches 1.5 ounces of heroin 3 pounds of hashish 6.15 pounds of cannabis 11 vials of HGH Steroids. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. 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. A Drug trafficking organization was dismantled after federal officials arrested 35 people for sending drugs from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into Orlando. A Warner Bros. The State Attorneys Office, the operation took place over the last months... $ 693,000 Fort Myers auto shop officials later learned that Hernandez was trafficking. 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