), Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. 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. Another was a miniature (three inches long) replica of the old Colt 45. A very special thanks to Major Monty Seals who ran theoperation. They were expensive guns. At Least two, he said, had satin steel finish with pearl handles. Florida Keys men arrested for drug trafficking after K9 finds stash Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Marathon couple charged with possession in drug bust Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com. However, he dreaded the prospect of storing the marijuana. The guns ranged from .45 caliber automatics to .25 calibre automatics. 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. Monroe County Sheriff's Office reports the Sheriff's FDOT Gives Update on Project's Progress, Credit Card Balances Reach New Record High. 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. WebTwo men and a woman were arrested on multiple drug violations. He said he knew the older boy was missing, but not the younger teen, Faison said. K9 Coral with drugs seized during March 15 traffic stop. Amanda Batchelor, Digital Executive Producer. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Join the New Times community and help support ; Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island Apts. "But if you are a poison peddler, and you kill someone in Flagler County, we are going to investigate you for first-degree murder, and we already have four people sitting in state prison for killing someone for selling the lethal dose," Staly said. Monroe County K9 busts 3 more for drugs during traffic stop - WPLG 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. With this operation, we are making a significant dent in the sales of illegal drugs on Stock Island.. A reporter for the Miami Herald, who wanted to take pictures of the arrested men, was threatened by the lobby crowd who warned him that neither he nor the camera would make it out of the building unharmed if he took photos. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton brought 26,250 pounds of cocaine and 3,700 pounds of marijuana to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale -- the largest drug interdiction in the ship's history. 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. 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. This story was originally published May 22, 2020, 8:40 PM. The site is an isolated lagoon on Florida Bay. mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs discovered along the coastline in the #FloridaKeys since start of May. Stock Island Residents: Fisherman Paco Novalas, 23, 221 Stock Island ApartmentsConstruction worker Ralph Jesus Valdez, 37, 5 SunshineSt.Richard Lee Mungin, 37, No. They were charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of over 2,000 pounds of marijuana and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. WebRobertson & Hunter, LLP 501 Whitehead St., Ste. At the 11th avenue location, detectives found Marijuana, Oxycontin, crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and another handgun. Deputies found the Taurus inside a fanny pack located in the back seat. Whos there, the agent was asked in Spanish. "We must have strict enforcement for these dealers and treatment for those who have become addicted.. 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. Feds charge Florida Keys woman and Homestead man with dealing They successfully evacuated the building, removed and destroyed the device. Nothing ever happens on Big Pine Key and weusually like it that way. 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. WebOver the years, illegal drugs lots of them have been seized or discovered off Florida's shorelines. The two closed body trucks, both painted white, were former Sears vehicles, authorities said. Drug smuggling really took hold and changed lifestyles in the Florida Keys in the 1970s and 80s. Both vehicles were pulled over between Mile Markers 32 and 33. 2 Key West, FL 33040 (305) 735-4587 Se Habla Espaol. 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. Colorful pills drive new warnings about deadliest drug in the US. tons of seized cocaine, marijuana worth over Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it Once the windows were down, Faison said she smelled a strong odor of both burnt and fresh marijuana coming from inside the car. "Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. 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 most famous of these were the Big Coppitt cowboys, a lose group of guys with fast boats and police scanners. 2: Drug Bust at Haulover Marina. Deputies ran a check on their names and found out they were runaways from Dade, Faison said. Officers also found more than $3,000 in cash. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. 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. RELATED: Deadly dupes: Nationwide spike in mass-overdoses, teen deaths due to fentanyl-laced drugs, DEA says. mso-para-margin-left:0in; Marathon Residents:Edward Ronan, 57, Tarpon LodgeRafael Francisco Lopez, 42, P.O. These square grouper were picked up by cowboys in fast boats who listened to the marine radio day and night for word when there was a dumping. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down. Square Grouper is not an un-hip fish. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. Authorities said it the most defendants in a single Keys bust and among the most ever in any Florida bust. That evil gun-toting bunch of psychopaths scared the hell out of me. Big Pine Key Residents:Fisherman Mitchell Earl Noatch, 22, Box 790. The sheriffs department already has more than 1,100 bales of pot stored in 16 vehicles under armed guards just outside Freemans office window. mso-para-margin-top:0in; Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines. 1401 79th Street Causeway Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. 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. Other than those listed previously, also arrested were: Vincente Jose Martinez, 36, 3817 Northside Ct.; Antonio Sanchez, 54, 1803 Atlantic Blvd. Nearly $80,000 worth of drugs found along coast of Florida Keys 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. Big Pine 29 Bust 1980 BigPineKey.com All rights reserved. Florida 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 Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? 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. 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 Brevard County Sheriff's Office said investigators uncovered 75 firearms, 9 pounds of methamphetamine, 3 pounds of fentanyl and an undisclosed amount of heroin. I never heard about any girlfriend of the lawyers disappearing as another other rumor that is floating thirty years later claims. A 71-year-old Keys drug dealer was busted, police said - Miami (U.S. Border Patrol) MONROE COUNTY, Fla. Within just five days, nearly $80,000 worth of drugs have been discovered