Updated: May 13, 2020 / 06:24 PM CDT BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford held a news conference about a large drug bust. Judd. Investigators said 29 people are facing state d 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. During the same time frame, the number of DEA arrests related to meth rose nearly 20%. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The spokesperson added that TSA security officers do not search for illegal drugs, but if found during the screening process, the TSA will refer the matter to law enforcement partners. 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. 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 Florida traffic stop turned into a surprise narcotics bust after police found what looked to be a bag full of drugs in the car. Advertisement. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Residents want St. Petersburg leaders to restore, Odd spiral appears amid northern lights in Alaska, Pinellas County releases new proposed school times, Lawmakers and religious leaders vow to fight 6-week, Parents, experts, DCF debate staffing crisis with, Rep. Kathy Castor creates welcome center for migrants, I-275 lanes near Skyway Bridge reopened after vehicle, Used car shopping? By. 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. Ron DeSantis struck back at Disney World Monday, announcing forthcoming legislative action that would void a development agreement that enshrined the corporate giant's self-governing power. BARTOW, FLORIDA Three Southwest Georgia women are charged with trafficking in large amounts of methamphetamine, along with other offenses, in Central Florida. When authorities searched his car, they found 978 grams of meth. 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. The investigation started in Sept. 2020 . 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. As agents approached Hernandez at the complex, he tried to flee the scene but was placed in custody. MBI Director Ron Stucker described the bust as "one of the largest cocaine trafficking operations we've seen in Central Florida in three decades.". Melbourne police say they seized heroin and cocaine from a home. A Drug trafficking organization was dismantled after federal officials arrested 35 people for sending drugs from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico into Orlando. They arrested 18 people, many who face charges of selling or buying drugs. 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. Credit: Sarasota Police Department Law enforcement officers seized over $36,000 worth of drugs, multiple vehicles, and over $100,000 in cash during drug bust in Clermont, Florida. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 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. Ford gave details on a significant seizure of. Nearly 200 people die. 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. According to the State Attorneys Office, the operation took place over the last several months. Postal Inspection Service. Luis Izquierdo. 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. 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. News Nation. 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. 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. On Aug. 5 . Thats worth repeating. One defendant allegedly mixed the powdered cocaine with horse tranquilizer to increase its volume, Stucker said. All Rights Reserved. The street value of drugs confiscated by Florida authorities is over $12.8 Million. During the press conference, Shea pointed to the pandemic for the rise in drug use and overdoses. Florida Gov. Director Stucker said 2022 marked the third-largest amount of cocaine that MBI had seized in its history. How safe is travel to Mexico and Central America? 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? Cornell Weaver, Brenda Sawyer and Kristina Lee are facing drug-related charges in connection with the investigation. Make no mistake, this is only the beginning, FMPD Chief Diggs said during the press conference. 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. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. [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. 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 . Law enforcement from the Clermont, Eustis, and . "Several of the suspects arrested today were arrested previously in this investigation for drug related charges and were released after posting lowered bonds.". Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. Before that, the top years were in 1991 and 1992 during the crack cocaine epidemic, he said. While out on bond, officials later learned that Hernandez was still trafficking narcotics. Four of the people arrested are out on bond as of Thursday night. According to court documents, Jorge Sanchez Morales aka "Capulina," 47, ran a drug trafficking organization, spanning from Mexico to El Paso and on to. It means that 6.8 ounces of fentanyl could have killed up to 96,000 people, Judd said. Kari Belcher, 40, Christopher Belcher, 36, Derrick Higginbotham, 39, and Mary . 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. A three milligram dose of fentanyl can be fatal. 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. There were also 49 firearms seized and all kinds of other assorted drugs and pills worth $12.8 million, the sheriff said. Check out her best picks before buying anything. A Warner Bros. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Florida Gov. Greg Abbott seeks to pardon convicted murder Daniel Perry, newly unsealed documents from the case show Perry being racist on social media. Florida bust: 85 arrested, $12.8M in drugs seized . We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. Fentanyl, often used to lace other drugs, is considered the deadliest drug in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "If you continue to push drugs on the streets of my county, we're coming for you . More than $411 million worth of cocaine and marijuana was offloaded in Florida on Wednesday following a series of busts in international waters. according to a US Customs and Border Protection statement. It was labeled "Bag Full Of Drugs." A. Updated: 1:49 PM EDT September 28, 2020 AVON PARK, Fla. A traffic stop led to one of the largest . Home News Crime 41 arrested, over $600K in illegal drugs seized in multi-agency drug sting. 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Authorities find 3,100 pounds of meth and other drugs hidden in truckload of medical supplies, These two seizures are more than enough to provide a dose of meth, for every man, woman, and child in the United States and Mexico. Check out her best picks before buying anything. 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. - 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. Law enforcement agents said they also found more than $400,000 in cash. 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 . Discovery Company. Thats when K9 Titan sniffed out 5.5 pounds of heroin worth in excess of $693,000. Police arrested 100 suspects and seized enough drugs to wipe out a large county. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? 35 people were arrested and face several federal charges after using the U.S. Officials have detained suspects and will continue to make arrests as the investigation continues. A low level operative would not be trusted to hold $18 million of drugs in a house. )], 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.. "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 investigation was done by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. DEA, and the U.S. Dog steps benefit all kinds of dogs, from toy breeds to dogs that shouldnt do a lot of jumping. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. The drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. The massive stash included more than 23,000 pounds. 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. 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. The drugs were found packed inside 25 duffel bags and ready for distribution, according to authorities. Hernandez's sentencing comes almost nine months after he eventually pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy and possession of firearms on July 27, 2021. SOUTHWEST Fla. Forty-one people were arrested over the last 36 hours in a drug sting involving several Southwest Florida agencies. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. 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. These steps are often compact, practical and easy to move. ). The drugs were seized on October 2. 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. 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. The fatal shooting of a 17-year-old in Haines City last week is believed to be connected to another shooting that occurred minutes earlier that same day, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office. 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. The suspects could face multiple charges ranging from conspiracy and trafficking to racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO). 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. 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. The drugs in that bust were seized at the Otay Mesa port of entry to San Diego. Victor Manuel Hernandez was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for a narcotics conspiracy involving heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Huff is being held on $2.5 million bond, while both Walker and Wilborn are being held on just over $900,000 bond. He added that treatment options for addicts and people struggling have been limited due to restrictions in place because of the coronavirus. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced 85 people were arrested as a result of a wiretap drug bust investigation Friday morning. 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. Aug 12, 2020. According to the Justice Department, between August 2021 and August 2022, 107,735 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, two-thirds primarily from fentanyl. Thats a significant amount of meth, Timothy Shea, the DEAs acting administrator, said at a press conference on Wednesday. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. The two agreed to meet that day at an apartment complex parking lot, authorities say. . 7:33 PM EDT, Wed October 14, 2020. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. A search warrant was executed Thursday at the home on Van Buren Street in North Melbourne. All Rights Reserved. [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?]. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. Thanks for contacting us. "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. (CNN) - As Texas Gov. Office, the top years were in 1991 and 1992 during the same frame. $ 12.8M in drugs seized and pills worth $ 12.8 million, the sheriff.... 67-Year-Old motorcyclist in Winter Haven, while both Walker and Wilborn are being on. Of drugs in a house because of the coronavirus three milligram dose of fentanyl can be fatal a warrant! 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