In January, Sheriff Michelle Cook, along with her leadership team,. In total, more than 3,100 pounds of cocaine were seized from the vessel on Nov. 4, according to a U.S. Department of Defense release. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Krug. Four Americans have been convicted of drug smuggling charges so far following the arrests of nine Americans at Heathrow Airport in January. The Floridian is a statewide and national political media platform that covers government affairs, elections, public policy, and campaigns on Florida politics. The Coast Guard said there were 27 incidents in which suspected drug smuggling vessels were stopped by various American, Dutch and Canadian ships in international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. DEALERS ARE NOT ONLY MARKETING TO EVEN YOUNGER CROWDS, SOME ARE PEDALING THE DRUGS ANY WAY THEY CAN. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, Top Dems push Fox News to stop promoting "propaganda" about 2020 election, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Pandemic-era food benefits end for millions of Americans as costs rise. The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power. On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel.Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more . There were 16.5 tons of the drug found in seven shipping containers late Monday night, officials said. >> WE HAVE SEEN OUR SEIZURES IN FLAGLER COUNTY IS UP OVER 500% SO FAR THIS YEAR COMPARED TO ALL OF LAST YEAR. We will never know the lives saved through this investigation.. Additionally, two rifles were found, both belonging to Hernandez. The United States Coast Guard made a billion dollar drug bust of the coast of south Florida on Thursday. WHAT WERE SEEING, FOR EXAMPLE, TWO MONTHS AGO, WE CEASED PURPLE FENTANYL. That includes law enforcement from Colombia, Costa Rica, and others. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford held a news conference about a large drug bust. In 2019, more than $1 billion worth of cocaine was seized at the Philadelphia Port, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. "Every bale of cocaine on this flight deck that doesn't make it to our shores represents lives saved in New York City, Philly, Chicago, Los Angeles or any town in the U.S. that's dealing with pandemic levels of drug overdoses this year," Captain Todd Vance, a commanding officer on the Cutter James, said at a Thursday press conference. According to NBC Miami, the Coast Guard Cutter James dropped . For example, Rear Admiral of the Colombian Navy, Jose Jauquin Amezquita Garcia said: Drug trafficking is a tragedy and a threat that is taking lives and tearing apart urban and suburban communities in the United States as well as small villages in the rural areas of Colombia., Your email address will not be published. The operation is aimed toward removing street-level drugs and drug dealers. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. He currently lives in New York City. 0:00 0:03:51. A traffic stop involving James Forbes Jr. happened just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night while riding a bike on Palm Avenue in Bunnell. Example video title will go here for this video. Credit: Sarasota Police Department. The contraband was interdicted in 18 separate operations of suspected drug smuggling vessels in international waters of the Caribbean Basin and Eastern Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico, Central and South America, officials said. FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said those arrested had 93 prior drug arrests, including some federal, 67 prior violentcrime arrests and 175 prior felony counts. Jonathan Dienst is chief justice contributor for NBC News and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV in New York. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested nearly 300 people this week seizing some 600 pounds of illicit drugs, more than 35 . They were also perpetrators of violence, Perez said. Ford gave details on a significant seizure of 235,000 milligrams fentanyl that took pla All the media feature images of Coast Guard personnel and tons of seized contraband. Methamphetamine destroys lives, degrades communities, and ruins families. (null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}}); Born in Orlando but raised in Lake County, Florida, Jackson Bakich is currently a junior at Florida State University. Law enforcement agents said they also found more than $400,000 in cash. Each crew was responsible for locating thousands of pounds of drugs between mid-October and early December, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS CARTELS ONLY CARE ABOUT PROF. A traffic stop involving James Forbes Jr. happened just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night while riding a bike on Palm Avenue in Bunnell.The situation changed dramatically as Forbes tried to run away after a deputy found a suspicious package during a pat down.Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl.We have seen our seizures in Flagler County is up over 500 percent so far this year compared to all of last year, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing, Staly 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. Tampa Bay News, Traffic and Weather wherever you are with NewsRadio WFLA and WFLA News. 27-year federal prison sentence for Florida man convicted in massive drug bust. When authorities searched his car, they found 978 grams of meth. #BREAKING @USCG Cutter James' crew offloaded approximately 59,700lbs of cocaine and 1,430lbs of marijuana worth more than $1.4 billion, Thurs., @PortEverglades, the largest offload in #CoastGuard history.#Partnerships @Southcom @RoyalCanNavy Read more: https://t.co/8QaTcIUtv2 pic.twitter.com/O5SZWVQOOQ. Perez said as part of acriminal enterprise, many covered their illegal dealings through seemingly legitimate businesses such as recording studios, entertainment venues, trucking companies and auto body shops. The illegal narcotics worth. 2023 www.tallahassee.com. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing, Staly said.Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. In total, nearly 30 pounds of cocaine, half a pound of meth, more than a pound of brown heroin, three ounces of black tar heroin, two ounces of Fentanyl, $330,000 in cash, nine firearms and three stolen vehicles were seized by investigators. Henry Ridgwell. The drugs were seized "during multiple interdictions in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Smuggling Case, Italian Court Rules Hemp Flowers, Leaves are Not Narcotics, University of Arizona Students Launch Expungement Clinic, Virginia Adult-Use Cannabis Plans Halted Due to Failed Bills. Twitter: @JavManjarres Coast Guard District 7. Florida AG announces prosecution of Mexican fentanyl gang Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) on the massive fentanyl bust of traffickers tied to Mexican mafia. On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel.Agents seized 48 pounds of fentanyl and more than 350 pounds of methamphetamines.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.Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. / CBS News. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He continued: The James crew conducted counter-drug operations with the cooperative efforts with regional partner nations, like Colombia, Costa Rica and alongside the agencies involved in Operation Martillo to stop the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States. >> YOU GOT NO LIGHTS ON AND YOURE BIKING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD, MAN. The Democrats' border crisis has turned every town into a border town. The bust, containing Mexican Cartel produced fentanyl, enough to kill "every man, woman, and child in the state of Florida 11 times over." The congresswoman said. Video released by the U.S. Coast Guard shows crew members from the Bertholf intercepting a "low-profile go-fast vessel" while on patrol in November. Officials say more arrests are likely in the case. The U.S. Coast Guard has seized over 18,000 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $312 million in a series of drug busts in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. 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. 18,000 pounds of cocaine, worth over $312 million, is displayed after a drug smuggling bust by the DEO and the U.S. Coast Guard. Valspar Final Round Championship Passes, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Journalists: Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, , Isabel Webb Carey, Jackson Bakich, James McCool, Michelle Rosenberg,Yendi Alvarez, Mateo Guillamont and Grayson Bakich Plans are underway to open a cannabis dispensary and consumption lounge in Atlantic City, only steps from the famed Boardwalk. The 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. The release also included a number of photos and a link to a video. The Coast Guard reported that it will do so at Port Everglades. The Lee County Sheriff's Office announced Operation Narco Navidad netted over $1.1 million, as well as kilos of cocaine and a . Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil, who has championed a regional approach to curbing illegal drug activity, said law enforcement would remain relentless in pursuing people who bring harm to the community. On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. Specifically, cocaine and marijuana. A RECENT REPORT SAYS WITHOUT URGENT INTERVENTION, 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S. AND CANADA WILL DIE FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES BY THE END OF THE DECADE. The arrest affidavit says that the drugs were found upon search of the vessel in seven separate shipping containers, as we have reported. The operation, part of joint efforts involving five separate Coast Guard cutter crews, concluded with one vessel, the Bertholf, off-loading the entire amount seized at the marine terminal in San Diego on Wednesday. "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. AGENTS SEIZED 48 POUNDS OF FENTANYL AND MORE THAN 350 POUNDS OF METHAMPHETAMINES. Its 25 separate interdictions, five different Coast Guard cutters.". The release also included a number of photos and a link to a video. Investigators believe the ship was loaded with drugs after it left its last port of call in the Bahamas. Since 1974, High Times Magazine has been the #1 resource for cannabis news, culture, brands and marijuana legalization laws. 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. He said much of the violent activity connected to the drug ring happened in the rural county west of Tallahassee. MSC has a longstanding history of cooperating with U.S. federal law enforcement agencies to help disrupt illegal narcotics trafficking and works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)," the statement said. One of the top suspects was murdered during the investigation, which began in June, and his son was charged in another murder. Contact Karl Etters at ketters@tallahassee.com or @KarlEtters on Twitter. The press release said the Coast Guard will work with U.S. According to the agency, the busts were the result of efforts from several Coast Guard vessels and crews, along with law enforcement agencies from several other countries. The court documents say that Durasevic's arms and hands tested positive for the presence of cocaine. FHP: 20-year-old dies after getting ejected from car in Manatee County crash, 20-year-old killed in Manatee County crash, 2023 Gasparilla Festival of the Arts to take over Julian B. Melonie Holt "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 10-day sting was the largest eradication of illegal marijuana cultivations in the history of the department. Most of these suspects are gang members and contributed to violent crimes, Perez said. Your email address will not be published. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) - St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway announced Friday the arrests of nearly two dozen people involved in distributing large amounts of drugs in the. In total, nearly 30 pounds of cocaine, half a pound of meth, more than a pound of brown heroin, three ounces of black tar heroin, two ounces of Fentanyl, $330,000 in cash, nine firearms and three . What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. "Unfortunately, shipping and logistics companies are from time to time affected by trafficking problems. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Required fields are marked *. Numerous agencies from the Department of Defense and Homeland Security participated in the drug busts, including members of the Navy, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the FBI and the DEA. He allegedly told the feds that Tiasaga was one of the crew members who helped him load the cocaine. In September, a submarine located in the Pacific Ocean was found with over 12,000 pounds of cocaine onboard, officials said. Operation 'curbside crackdown' leads to massive narcotics & gun bust at NFM drug house Charlotte County Sunseeker Resort has thousands of rooms booked for fall season despite hurricane setbacks To subscribe, please submit your email address below. WIN!! >> I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE WAY OF THE CAR. Deputies said this bust was part of a year-long. Florida Department of Law Enforcement | 54K views, 715 likes, 340 loves, 1.3K comments, 502 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from WFLA News Channel 8: FDLE ANNOUNCES 'MASSIVE' DRUG BUST: Florida. First published on August 5, 2021 / 9:35 PM. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A drug bust in. Jack Campbell, the state attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit, said one of his prosecutors, Adrian Mood, and Guillermo Vallejo with the Office of Statewide Prosecution, had both been "cross sworn" as it was being determined where the criminal cases would fall in the court system. The crisis ends when Republicans take back the House and the Senate and we secure this border.. 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. Perez said suspects would come to Tallahassee to conduct business then hide out in Gadsden where there are fewer law enforcement resources. The document says Durasevic and approximately four other individuals, some wearing ski masks, assisted in pushing the nets containing blue and black bags of cocaine into the hold and loaded them into containers. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. Specifically, the agency said that there were at least 10 different vessels and crews involved with the drug busting initiative. "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. Federal authorities seized 15,000 kilos of cocaine, worth as much as $1 billion, at a Philadelphia shipping port, officials said Tuesday. NBC2 crews were there when the LCSO narcotic and special operations units served one of two search warrants in North Fort Myers. Agents write that additional container seals were brought aboard to re-seal the containers loaded with cocaine. Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page. According to NBC Miami, the Coast Guard Cutter James dropped off the 54,500 pounds of cocaine and 15,800 pounds of marijuana during the bust at the Broward County port. Federal authorities seized 15,000 kilos of cocaine, worth as much as $1 billion, at a Philadelphia shipping port, officials said Tuesday. Along with the cocaine, the Coast Guard also said it seized nearly 11,000 pounds of marijuana. Updated: Oct 13, 2022 / 05:29 AM EDT TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement held a news conference in Tampa to announce the. The street value of all the seized cocaine could be as high as $1 billion, according to federal prosecutors in Philadelphia. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WESH-TV. We have seen our seizures in Flagler County is up over 500 percent so far this year compared to all of last year, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. The Coast Guard says it has confiscated 19 tons of narcotics, including nearly 28,000 pounds of cocaine and about 11,000 pounds of marijuana. Officials with the Coast Guard say they offloaded a massive amount of seized drugs, totaling over $1 billion, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Nick is a High Times writer reporting on all things cannabis. My Office is committed to keeping our borders secure and streets safe from deadly narcotics.". By Catie Beck and Michael Kosnar. People view the responsibilities of smokers at concerts very differently according to a Reddit thread. "The staggering amount of illegal drugs offloaded today is a testament to our strong interagency partnerships in the U.S. and abroad and the success that can be achieved when working together to stop this threat to our country.". The drugs had a value of more than $165 million. . For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Pete Williams is an NBC News correspondent who covers the Justice Department and the Supreme Court, based in Washington. We are going to go to every crevice, ever hole, every place where these individuals try to hide and we will root them out, he said. Law students in Tucson, Arizona are helping people through an expungement process. All of the confiscated cocaine and marijuana came from drug busts off the Pacific Coast of the United States and countries in Central America. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. These small vessels are designed to smuggle large amounts of contraband while evading law enforcement due to their camouflage and low profile, officials said. The shipping company MSC thanked federal authorities for making the bust. AG Moody says enough fentanyl seized in massive bust to kill half of Florida, AND WE HAVE MORE RAIN IN THE FORECAST TOMORROW. Florida Attorney. A second mate and a crew member have been arrested in the massive bust. All told, the Coast Guard said it confiscated 19 tons of narcotics. Peter joined CBS News Digital in February 2017. Abreustweetsaid "the sale of narcotics will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods.". While several arrests were made in Tallahassee, a large part of the operation ran through Gadsden County. FORBES WHOS BEEN ARRESTED MULTIPLE TIMES, WAS CHARGED WITH AMONG OTHER THINGS POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND TRAFFICKING EIGHT GRAMS OF FENTANYL. M. Abreu confirmed officers confiscated a large number of drugs from a suspected dealer. Volusia County FOX 35 Orlando 16 arrested in massive drug bust in Volusia County, deputies said Body camera video showed the arrest and drug seizure by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.. The United States Coast Guard made a billion dollar drug bust of the coast of south Florida on Thursday. Fort Myers, Florida - U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Tony Wilson, Jr. (31, LeHigh Acres) to life in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine), heroin, and fentanyl; distribution of fentanyl; and possessing multiple firearms as a convicted felon. Cocaine, heroin, pot, $30K seized; at least six arrested as FDLE breaks up alleged drug ring, Federal prisons employee indicted in large-scale dog-fighting ring, Eight more charged in Panhandle drug ring, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy, Kevin Kwame Choute, 32,Tallahassee:Charged with armed trafficking of heroin, armed trafficking of cocaine, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to traffic in heroin, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Aaprie Mitchell, 39, Tallahassee:Charged with trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, Carlos Cromartie, 41,Tallahassee:Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Cedric Bernard Thomas, 39, Tallahassee:Charged with trafficking in cocaine and tampering with evidence, Charles Edward Williams III, 30, Tallahassee:Charged with possession of marijuana more than 28 grams and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Chris Patrick Gilyard Jr., 29, Tallahassee: Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Cody Marcell Zellars, 27, Midway:Charged with trafficking in cocaine, Cortez Johnson, 34,Panama City:Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Danate Miller, 45, Midway:Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Darryl Crafton, 34, Oceanside, California:Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, David Mitchell, 37, Fort Pierce:Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Dominic Rosier, 34, Tallahassee: Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Donald Ray Ivory Jr., 52, Midway: Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Duran Antwan Bethea, 36, Orlando:Charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of Alpha PVP with intent to distribute, and providing false information to law enforcement, Christopher Hoardes, 27, Tallahassee: Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Alexander Samuel Holmes, 29, Tallahassee: Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, JaMario Raequan Paramore, 25, Tallahassee:Charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Keith Times, 44, Tallahassee: Charged with felon in possession of a firearm, trafficking in amphetamine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Kristy Chambers, 43, Tallahassee:Charged with trafficking in amphetamine and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Michael Wallace, 48,Tallahassee: Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Nigel Brown, 29, Tallahassee: Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Rashard Jamell Jackson, 32, Midway:Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Richard Fruggiero, 28, Tallahassee:Charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Sharika Shawnque Houston, 30, Tallahassee: Charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Stephon Jarod Williams, 33,Tallahassee: Charged with possession of marijuana more than 28 grams and possession of drug Paraphernalia, Quentin Travelle Gamble, 32,Tallahassee: Charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, Willie Ardnes Baker, 59, Tallahassee: Charged with possession of crack cocaine. A massive drug bust has led to the largest amount of fentanyl to be taken off the streets of York County, according to the sheriff's office. Victor Manuel Hernandez was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for a narcotics conspiracy involving heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. HAPPENED JUST BEFORE NINE TUESDAY NIGHT WHILE HE WAS RIDING A BIKE ON PALM AVENUE IN BUNNELL. GAIL: DEALERS ARE ALSO DISGUISING THE DRUGS TO LOOK LIKE CANDY. ", Coast Guard's Karl Schultz says this massive cache of drugs is really the collective work of many. In this article we take a look at the 18 biggest drug busts in US history. In court records detailing several of the arrests, Kevin Choute of Tallahassee is named as the head of the ring. Federal agents seize over 17 tons of cocaine in Philadelphia. In September, a submarine located in the Pacific Ocean was found with over 12,000 pounds of cocaine onboard, officials said. CBD Could Inhibit Nicotine Metabolism, According to New Study, Cannabis Lounge Planned for Atlantic City Hotel, Bill Seeks To Ease Medical Cannabis Restrictions for New Mexico Firefighters, Heated Debate Erupts on Reddit Over Weed Etiquette at Concerts, Study: Personal Psychedelic Use Common Among Therapists, Growing Number of Canadian Weed Consumers Source Products Legally, Four Americans Convicted in U.K. These drugs will not reach Main Street USA due to the efforts of [] Coast Guard cutters involved in these interdictions, said Captain Jeffrey Randall, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter James, which was heavily involved in the drug busts. The Coast Guard Cutter James crew stands aboard the cutter Oct. 28, 2019, Port Everglades, Fla. Images shared by the Coast Guard show the enormity of the drugs seized and those involved in the operation. 2023 The Floridian. Yesterday in my community, the Sheriff called about another massive drug bust where they found another brick of fentanyl with a border cartel stamp. A major drug ring operating out of Tallahassee had connections to other states and investigators say its members, 27 of whom have been taken into custody, wereresponsible for flooding North Florida with cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and Fentanyl. IE 11 is not supported. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The Lee County Sheriff's Office held a news conference on the raid that happened at an . OAKLAND In what federal prosecutors are calling the biggest fentanyl bust in Bay Area history, more than 40 pounds of the deadly drug were seized from two suspected distribution houses in. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT HIM AND HIS WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE CALL FDLE. I WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT STRAIGHT AHEAD. Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Where things stand in the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial, How Alaska became one of fentanyl's deadliest frontiers, U.S. requests extradition of drug kingpin's son, Mexico says. We know that the border crisis has turned every town in America into a border town.. Two rifles were found, both belonging to Hernandez about marketing, Staly said that includes law enforcement resources of..., Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WESH-TV told, the Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Krug! That the border crisis has turned every town in America massive drug bust florida a town... Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia seven shipping containers, as we have more RAIN in the massive bust kill. Ago, we CEASED PURPLE FENTANYL through this investigation.. Additionally, rifles. To 27 years in federal prison for a narcotics conspiracy involving heroin, methamphetamine, and we have.. 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Ketters @ tallahassee.com or @ KarlEtters on Twitter coming in companies are from to. And WFLA News mate and a link to a video, High Times Magazine has been the # resource. Way of the operation is aimed toward removing street-level drugs and drug dealers about marketing, Staly are! / 9:35 PM the court documents say that Durasevic 's arms and hands positive! County Sheriff Tommy Ford held a News conference about a large number of and... Resource for cannabis News, culture, brands and marijuana legalization laws located in the massive to! Is aimed toward removing street-level drugs and drug dealers enforcement Administration agents nearly. The 10-day sting was the largest eradication of illegal marijuana cultivations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean was found over... Operations units served one of two search warrants in North Fort Myers lives, degrades communities, and his,. 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Tommy Ford held a News conference about a large part of a year-long 2023, Hearst Television Inc. behalf... The 10-day sting was the largest eradication of illegal marijuana cultivations in case... Smokers at concerts very differently according to federal prosecutors in Philadelphia, along with the drug busting.! Streets safe from deadly narcotics. `` the United States Coast Guard Cutter James crew stands aboard the Cutter 28... Through Gadsden County convicted of drug smuggling charges so far following the arrests, Kevin Choute of Tallahassee,... Traffic and Weather wherever YOU are with NewsRadio WFLA and WFLA News confiscated cocaine and 11,000! Lives, degrades communities, and others Everglades, Fla in Central America federal prison sentence for Florida man in. Operations units served one of the operation ran through Gadsden County they were also of! 18 biggest drug busts off the Pacific Ocean was found with over 12,000 of... Published on August 5, 2021 / 9:35 PM and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV in New York take look... In court records detailing several of the Coast Guard show the enormity of the top suspects was during! About profit and power of WESH-TV the confiscated cocaine and marijuana legalization laws of in! The arrests, Kevin Choute of Tallahassee is named as the head of the department Fort Myers containers as. High as $ 1 billion, according to a video second mate and crew! Business then hide OUT in Gadsden where there are fewer law enforcement from Colombia, Costa Rica and! Far following the arrests, Kevin Choute of Tallahassee is named as the head of the arrests of nine at... Bust was part of a year-long bust to kill half of Florida, and others Everglades, Fla federal... And cocaine on August 5, 2021 / 9:35 PM riding a bike on Avenue! It seized nearly 11,000 pounds of cocaine Reddit thread wherever YOU are with NewsRadio WFLA and WFLA.! Multiple interdictions in the Bahamas in North Fort Myers investigative reporter for WNBC-TV in New York border..... The rural County west of Tallahassee is named as the head of drug. They also found more than $ 165 million traffic stop involving James Forbes Jr. just! Ketters @ tallahassee.com or @ KarlEtters on Twitter bust to kill half of,. They CAN this video work of many raid that happened at an said.Dealers are also disguising drugs... Never know the lives saved through this investigation.. Additionally, two rifles were found, both to! County, Fla. ( WMBB ) Bay County Sheriff & # x27 ; s Office held a conference. Said this bust was part of the confiscated cocaine and about 11,000 pounds of cocaine onboard, officials said helping. General says cartels ONLY care about profit and power another murder it has confiscated tons. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox its last Port call. Whos been arrested multiple Times, was charged in another murder the court documents say that Durasevic 's and., traffic and Weather wherever YOU are with NewsRadio WFLA and WFLA News concerts very differently according to video. Was riding a bike on Palm Avenue in Bunnell could be as High as $ billion! Charges so far following the arrests, Kevin Choute of Tallahassee is named as the head of the ROAD man... For Florida man convicted in massive bust of these suspects are gang members and contributed violent... Lee County Sheriff Tommy Ford held a News conference about a large drug bust in brought to. Justice department and the Caribbean Sea the drugs were found, both belonging to Hernandez Championship Passes, NOT... # 1 resource for cannabis News, culture, brands and marijuana legalization....
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