While out on bond, officials later learned that Hernandez was still trafficking narcotics. appreciated. 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. Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. 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. 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. Credit: Sarasota Police Department 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. The clue? 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. 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 . A low level operative would not be trusted to hold $18 million of drugs in a house. 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. 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. 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. Now that doesnt sound like a lot, just 6.8 ounces. Ford gave details on a significant seizure of 235,000 milligrams fentanyl that took place this morning in Bay County. Director Stucker said 2022 marked the third-largest amount of cocaine that MBI had seized in its history. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The operation began in Fort Myers in early 2019 and focused on finding drug suppliers in the city, authorities said. Here are seven restaurants within Central Florida that provide meals, drinks and stunning waterfront views. 2023 Cable News Network. According to the Houston Chronicle, among the posts by Perry was a June 2020 one where Perry compared the "Black Lives Matter movement to . 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. 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. "If you continue to push drugs on the streets of my county, we're coming for you . Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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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. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. 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. CLERMONT, Fla. - Two people are behind bars after authorities in Lake County found drugs and firearms during a drug bust at a Clermont home. Officials also seized 25 guns and fentanyl, a highly potent --and deadly synthetic opioid. EL PASO, Texas - The leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso Thursday to life in prison. The seizure was part of the DEAs ongoing initiative Operation Crystal Shield, which is targeting cities where meth is often trafficked in bulk. If you look at our org chart there, youll notice that theres kind of three distinct groups of people, he said. Law enforcement from the Clermont, Eustis, and . A Sheriffs K-9 arrived at the scene and alerted police to the presence of contraband inside. Postal Service to ship cocaine through the islands and states. Police seized multiple vehicles, drugs, and over $100,000 in cash during an early morning drug bust in Clermont on Friday according to a Lake . ). 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. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. As agents approached Hernandez at the complex, he tried to flee the scene but was placed in custody. Kari Belcher, 40, Christopher Belcher, 36, Derrick Higginbotham, 39, and Mary . Law enforcement agents said they also found more than $400,000 in cash. One defendant allegedly mixed the powdered cocaine with horse tranquilizer to increase its volume, Stucker said. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. 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. The drugs were seized at an alleged stash house east of Los Angeles in Perris, California, on October 2. Greg Abbott seeks to pardon convicted murder Daniel Perry, newly unsealed documents from the case show Perry being racist on social media. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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. 2. 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. Incidents of teen unrest led to violence in Chicago,, Kidnapped teen alive, being held by man: Former detective, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Acting DEA Administrator Timothy Shea announced the bust at a press conference Wednesday. 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. Our very real concern with fentanyl is the deadly effects it has, said Ford. Note to self- do not traffic your illegal narcotics in bags labeled Bag Full Of Drugs, a Facebook post from the Sheriffs office read. Advertisement. Postal Inspection Service. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Florida Gov. OK, great. . So these are high-level individuals.. Officials said three men Xavier Ramos Rosado, Carlos Miguel Velez Olivencia, and Michael Gonzalez Mendez were the lead directors of the alleged drug operation. He said the alleged drug trafficking ring used the U.S. A Drug trafficking organization was dismantled after federal officials arrested 35 people for sending drugs from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into Orlando. Discovery Company. More than $411 million worth of cocaine and marijuana was offloaded in Florida on Wednesday following a series of busts in international waters. On Aug. 5 . 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 sheriff said a wiretap investigation began in February 2022. )], 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.. "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. Florida bust: 85 arrested, $12.8M in drugs seized . During the press conference, Shea pointed to the pandemic for the rise in drug use and overdoses. The DEA, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota Police Department and Bradenton Police Department investigated this case. Deputies are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a crash Sunday night seriously injured a 67-year-old motorcyclist in Winter Haven. Coast Guard authorities said the drugs were intercepted in the Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico and Central and South America. According to court documents, Jorge Sanchez Morales aka "Capulina," 47, ran a drug trafficking organization, spanning from Mexico to El Paso and on to. 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. I believe that they do and they need to address it, he 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 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. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. Four people were arrested Tuesday at a Naples home and are facing multiple drug charges. Check out her best picks before buying anything. Judd said 85 people were arrested as a result of the investigation and authorities seized 268 pounds of methamphetamine and 6.8 ounces of fentanyl. On one occasion on one airline, six suitcases with this drug was smuggled into Orlando. The investigation was done by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. DEA, and the U.S. Other contraband was seized during 20 interdictions of suspected drug smuggling ships by eight American and UK vessels, the Coast Guard said. 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. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. (CNN) - As Texas Gov. Melbourne police say they seized heroin and cocaine from a home. A search warrant was. appreciated. Discovery Company. 35 people were arrested and face several federal charges after using the U.S. Before that, the top years were in 1991 and 1992 during the crack cocaine epidemic, he said. Make no mistake, this is only the beginning, FMPD Chief Diggs said during the press conference. 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. That 1,600 grams of fentanyl is enough to kill 800,000, which is nearly every person from Escambia and the neighboring county, Walton, WEAR reported. 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. 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. . All Rights Reserved. BARTOW, FLORIDA Three Southwest Georgia women are charged with trafficking in large amounts of methamphetamine, along with other offenses, in Central Florida. In total, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized 79.2 pounds of meth, 1.3 kilograms of heroin, 756 grams of cocaine, 15 firearms and $408,692 in cash. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. A three milligram dose of fentanyl can be fatal. It was labeled "Bag Full Of Drugs." A. Victor Manuel Hernandez was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for a narcotics conspiracy involving heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. 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Law enforcement officers seized over $36,000 worth of drugs, multiple vehicles, and over $100,000 in cash during drug bust in Clermont, Florida. The street value of drugs confiscated by Florida authorities is over $12.8 Million. Officials said additional charges were pending the results of lab tests. Aug 12, 2020. 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. This was a very different kind of operation. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his house and agents found 31 kilograms of meth, 756 grams of cocaine and about 523 grams of heroin. The drugs were seized on October 2. Home News Crime 41 arrested, over $600K in illegal drugs seized in multi-agency drug sting. Distinct groups of people, he tried to flee the scene but was placed in custody for. 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