News Nation. 2023 Cable News Network. A once-standout U.S. narcotics agent has admitted conspiring to launder money with a Colombian drug cartel. 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? Other contraband was seized during 20 interdictions of suspected drug smuggling ships by eight American and UK vessels, the Coast Guard 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. It was labeled "Bag Full Of Drugs." A. Officials also seized 25 guns and fentanyl, a highly potent --and deadly synthetic opioid. Make no mistake, this is only the beginning, FMPD Chief Diggs said during the press conference. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced 85 people were arrested as a result of a wiretap drug bust investigation Friday morning. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. 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. 7:33 PM EDT, Wed October 14, 2020. Dozens of them were taken into custody and bused to prison, including the six alleged ringleaders. 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. Florida Gov. 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. Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release . "If you continue to push drugs on the streets of my county, we're coming for you . 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. Officials have detained suspects and will continue to make arrests as the investigation continues. 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. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams can be fatal. BARTOW, FLORIDA Three Southwest Georgia women are charged with trafficking in large amounts of methamphetamine, along with other offenses, in Central Florida. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford held a news conference about a large drug bust. 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According to the State Attorney's Office, the operation took place over the last several months. Florida Gov. Law enforcement from the Clermont, Eustis, and . If you look at our org chart there, youll notice that theres kind of three distinct groups of people, he said. 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. 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. 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. 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. Hernandez's sentencing comes almost nine months after he eventually pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy and possession of firearms on July 27, 2021. 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. "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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. According to court documents, Jorge Sanchez Morales aka "Capulina," 47, ran a drug trafficking organization, spanning from Mexico to El Paso and on to. So these are high-level individuals.. We cannot allow these drugs and the criminals who peddle them to poison our communities and destroy lives," DeSantis said in a statement Wednesday. A Sheriffs K-9 arrived at the scene and alerted police to the presence of contraband inside. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 5:39 PM EST, Tue February 4, 2020. More than $411 million worth of cocaine and marijuana was offloaded in Florida on Wednesday following a series of busts in international waters. Thats when K9 Titan sniffed out 5.5 pounds of heroin worth in excess of $693,000. The drugs were seized on October 2. During the press conference, Shea pointed to the pandemic for the rise in drug use and overdoses. 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. according to a US Customs and Border Protection statement. He added that treatment options for addicts and people struggling have been limited due to restrictions in place because of the coronavirus. Thanks for contacting us. Polk. Skip Navigation. Four of the people arrested are out on bond as of Thursday night. Updated )], 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.. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. The major drug bust happened in Avon Park, authorities say. Were really glad to get this off the streets of Bay County, Ford said. 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. Before that, the top years were in 1991 and 1992 during the crack cocaine epidemic, he said. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Someone whos responsible for this quantity of drugs is someone who is very, very trusted by the cartels, Bodner said. MBI Director Ron Stucker described the bust as "one of the largest cocaine trafficking operations we've seen in Central Florida in three decades.". We've received your submission. The seizure was part of the DEAs ongoing initiative Operation Crystal Shield, which is targeting cities where meth is often trafficked in bulk. All Rights Reserved. Get todays headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. DEA images of the duffel bags the drugs were found in. [TRENDING: How much? 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 drugs had an estimated street value of at least $181,000, according to the office. 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. I believe that they do and they need to address it, he said. The two agreed to meet that day at an apartment complex parking lot, authorities say. CLERMONT, Fla. - Two people are behind bars after authorities in Lake County found drugs and firearms during a drug bust at a Clermont home. While out on bond, officials later learned that Hernandez was still trafficking narcotics. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. Home News Crime 41 arrested, over $600K in illegal drugs seized in multi-agency drug sting. A three milligram dose of fentanyl can be fatal. 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. 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