In particular, the Coast Guards press release stated that the drugs came from 18 separate drug related interdictions. More to come. 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. Credit: Sarasota Police Department. IE 11 is not supported. Investigators believe the ship was loaded with drugs after it left its last port of call in the Bahamas. Now that the Coast Guard has busted up numerous shipments and seized all these substances, it is back on land to offload it all. U.S. Coast Guard boarding team members climb aboard a suspected smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific in September 2019. In a tweet posted Saturday, City of Miami Police Cmdr. My Office is committed to keeping our borders secure and streets safe from deadly narcotics.". >> 24 SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED, BUT ONE GANG MEMBER REMAINS AT LARGE, 39-YEAR-OLD EFREN BERUMEN FROM KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA. In addition to the drugs, police seized an unspecified amount of cash. This is one of the largest drug seizures in United States history," U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania William McSwain tweeted. Henry Ridgwell. Its 25 separate interdictions, five different Coast Guard cutters.". The two agreed to meet that day at an apartment complex parking lot, authorities say. The crisis ends when Republicans take back the House and the Senate and we secure this border.. 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. Some will face prosecution at the circuit level while some are likely to face statewide prosecutors. 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. 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. In September, a submarine located in the Pacific Ocean was found with over 12,000 pounds of cocaine onboard, officials said. Peter is a Product Manager for CBSNews.com and its CMS publishing systems. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested nearly 300 people this week seizing some 600 pounds of illicit drugs, more than 35 . VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A drug bust in. In September, a submarine located in the Pacific Ocean was found with over 12,000 pounds of cocaine onboard, officials said. "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. By Rob Garguilo. Forbes, who's been arrested multiple times, was charged with, among other things, possession of methamphetamine and trafficking eight grams of fentanyl. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WESH-TV. The DEA, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota Police Department and Bradenton Police Department investigated this case. The arrest affidavit says that the drugs were found upon search of the vessel in seven separate shipping containers, as we have reported. The 10-day sting was the largest eradication of illegal marijuana cultivations in the history of the department. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) crew members palletize bales of contraband on the cutters flight deck following an at-sea interdiction of a low-profile go-fast vessel during Bertholf's patrol of the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Nov. 4, 2019. Federal authorities seized 15,000 kilos of cocaine, worth as much as $1 billion, at a Philadelphia shipping port, officials said Tuesday. The Floridian is a statewide and national political media platform that covers government affairs, elections, public policy, and campaigns on Florida politics. #BREAKING @USCG Cutter James, @RoyalCanNavy Shawinigan crews offloaded approximately 59,700 lbs of cocaine and 1,430 pounds of marijuana worth more than $1.4 billion, Thursday, at @PortEverglades, which is the largest offload in #CoastGuard history. A traffic stop involving James Forbes Jr. happened just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night while riding a bike on Palm Avenue in Bunnell. Coast Guard According to NBC Miami, the Coast Guard Cutter James dropped . "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.Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children.The attorney general says cartels only care about profit and power.Staly said in Flagler, the age of overdoses range from 18 to 60. In January, Sheriff Michelle Cook, along with her leadership team,. Contact him at peter.martinez@cbsnews.com. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. GAIL: YEAH. So the cartels in Mexico are very good about marketing, Staly said.Dealers are also disguising the drugs to look like candy. Authorities from other countries also spoke to the U.S. media about the busts. Firefighters in New Mexico would be free to spark up under a bill introduced by lawmakers in the state. JUICE Florida Politics' Juicy Read 3.1.2023 DeSantis's 'The Courage to be Free'Ingoglia Blows Up Florida DemocratsDonalds, Gaetz, Wasserman SchultzMuch More Mills Calls Discharge of Unvaccinated Military "Unlawful Purge", Ingoglia Introduces Bill to "Cancel" Florida Democrat Party. Agents write that additional container seals were brought aboard to re-seal the containers loaded with cocaine. The street value of all the seized cocaine could be as high as $1 billion, according to federal prosecutors in Philadelphia. "This amount of cocaine could kill millions MILLIONS of people. First published on August 5, 2021 / 9:35 PM. 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. Nick is a High Times writer reporting on all things cannabis. Homeland Security Investigations has filed an arrest warrant affidavit which details how Ivan Durasevic and Fonofaavae Tiasaga allegedly coordinated the loading of cocaine onto the vessel. Tampa Bay News, Traffic and Weather wherever you are with NewsRadio WFLA and WFLA News. Law enforcement agents said they also found more than $400,000 in cash. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp 1401 79th Street Causeway Miami, FL 33141 Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Newsroom: (305) 795-2777 "Disrupting the maritime networks responsible for moving vast quantities of drugs on the high seas is one important way that DEA helps stop the flow of cocaine and other dangerous drugs to the United States," said DEA acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon. HAPPENED JUST BEFORE NINE TUESDAY NIGHT WHILE HE WAS RIDING A BIKE ON PALM AVENUE IN BUNNELL. LEE COUNTY, Fla. - A former Lee County Sheriff's Office deputy is being investigated for allegedly tipping off a Gateway family involved in a massive drug operation. Growing up in the sunshine state, Bakich co-hosted the political talk radio show "Lake County Roundtable" (WLBE), and was a frequent guest for "Lake County Sports Show" (WQBQ). If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE, Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. The press release said the Coast Guard will work with U.S. Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) went on Fox News Business on Friday to share with the public that there was a huge drug bust in her district. "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.". "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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. In January, Sheriff Michelle Cook, along with her leadership team . A massive drug bust has placed a dozen people behind bars after a drug home in New Smyrna Beach has been on deputies radar for months, they say. / CBS News. Law enforcement agents said they also found more than $400,000 in cash. The court document says that Durasevic, the crew's second mate, admitted his role in bringing the cocaine on the vessel. WIN!! The illegal narcotics worth. Currently, he is the co-host of "Tomahawk Talk" (WVFS), a sports talk radio program covering Florida State athletics in Tallahassee. Specifically, that includes almost 28,000 pounds of cocaine. #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. If you have any information about Berumen and if you know of his whereabouts, please call FDLE, Special Agent in Charge Eli Lawson said. Nearly $400 Million In Marijuana, Cocaine Seized By Coast Guard In Florida. The United States Coast Guard made a billion dollar drug bust of the coast of south Florida on Thursday. 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. ', Team DeSantis Praises 'Biden's Border Crisis' Bill, MSNBC's Joy Reid: DeSantis wants 'Total Government Control'. Specifically, the agency said that there were at least 10 different vessels and crews involved with the drug busting initiative. NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. On Tuesday, the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) announced operation 'curbside crackdown' lead to 50 arrests in a massive narcotics and gun bust at a North Fort Myers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. WESH 2S GAIL PASCHALL-BROWN JOINS US IN THE STUDIO WITH MORE ON THIS OPIOID CRISIS. Your email address will not be published. Drug trafficking impacts entire communities with violence and frequency of drug use, he said. Four Americans have been convicted of drug smuggling charges so far following the arrests of nine Americans at Heathrow Airport in January. Due to this cooperative effort, we maintain an offensive against criminal networks and criminal organizations.. What we're seeing, for example, just two months ago, we ceased purple fentanyl. The confiscated cannabis comes in at a street value of roughly $10.1 million. >> I BEEN TO THE BORDER TWICE, SO I SAW HOW ITS COMING IN. 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. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. 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. In this article we take a look at the 18 biggest drug busts in US history. The interdictions all took place in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific Ocean, off the coasts of the U.S., Mexico, and several other countries. The drugs had a value of more than $165 million. LEE COUNTY, Fla. - Six people were arrested in a massive drug bust at an auto body shop in Lee County. By Catie Beck and Michael Kosnar. 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. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones, especially children. FORBES WHOS BEEN ARRESTED MULTIPLE TIMES, WAS CHARGED WITH AMONG OTHER THINGS POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND TRAFFICKING EIGHT GRAMS OF FENTANYL. The Coast Guard reported that it will do so at Port Everglades. 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. 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. 2023 The Floridian. Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations. Staly adds there are a lot of undercover operations in the county and you will eventually get caught. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. GAIL: ON WEDNESDAY, FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHLEY MOODY ANNOUNCED THE ARREST OF A MASSIVE VIOLENT GANG OPERATION IN FLORIDA LINKED TO MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL. Ford gave details on a significant seizure of 235,000 milligrams fentanyl that took pla People view the responsibilities of smokers at concerts very differently according to a Reddit thread. 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. Along with the cocaine, the Coast Guard also said it seized nearly 11,000 pounds of marijuana. Valspar Final Round Championship Passes, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Two crew members have been arrested. 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. Through our partnership with Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies in Florida and Georgia, our detectives took a huge amount of meth off the street and shut down an active drug trafficker operating out of a federal prison." While out on bond, officials later learned that Hernandez was still trafficking narcotics. Feb 18, 2022. Federal authorities in Pennsylvania arrested and charged two of the MSC Gayane's crew members with intentionally conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute. Specifically, cocaine and marijuana. Coast Guard District 7. Police in South Florida made a huge drug bust on Friday night. CLAY COUNTY, Fla. The Clay County Sheriff's Office said Thursday 44 people are behind bars following a massive drug bust. WHAT WERE SEEING, FOR EXAMPLE, TWO MONTHS AGO, WE CEASED PURPLE FENTANYL. The Biden Administration is now sending VA doctors to the border, prioritizing illegals over our veterans, and its disgusting. var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",o):document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("action",o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook("filter",o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook("action",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook("filter",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook("action",o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook("filter",o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+"_"+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){"function"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),"action"==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),"filter"==n)return r[0]},removeHook:function(o,n,t,i){var r;null!=gform.hooks[o][n]&&(r=(r=gform.hooks[o][n]).filter(function(o,n,r){return!! The release also included a number of photos and a link to a video. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. On Wednesday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of a massive violent gang operation in Florida linked to a Mexican drug cartel. This month the DEA made the biggest meth. 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. "Unfortunately, shipping and logistics companies are from time to time affected by trafficking problems. The illicit haul was found aboard a cargo ship, the MSC Gayane, which had traveled from Chile, Panama and the Bahamas, according to NBC Philadelphia. >> YOU GOT NO LIGHTS ON AND YOURE BIKING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD, MAN. 2023 www.tallahassee.com. Officials with the Coast Guard say they offloaded a massive amount of seized drugs, totaling over $1 billion, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. Thank you for your interest in receiving the The Floridian newsletter. While several arrests were made in Tallahassee, a large part of the operation ran through Gadsden County. They said the drug bust netted approximately 16.5 tons of the narcotic from a cargo ship docked at the Packer Marine Terminal. Deaths linked to cocaine abuse have been on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. pic.twitter.com/k7KuDBqkTM. GAIL: THIS TRAFFIC STOP INVOLVING JAMES FORBES, JR. 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. AGENTS SEIZED 48 POUNDS OF FENTANYL AND MORE THAN 350 POUNDS OF METHAMPHETAMINES. 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. Seaman Erik Villa Rodriguez/U.S. It was at the time the largest cocaine bust in history in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The confiscated drugs, and the busts they came from, were the result of an operation that reportedly lasted six to eight weeks. With the end of Title 42 on the horizon, the efforts to bring attention to the border by Republicans has never been more apparent. NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. On Tuesday, the Lee County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) announced operation curbside crackdown lead to 50 arrests in a massive narcotics and gun bust at a North Fort Myers drug house. The entire 18,000 pounds of drugs seized were off-loaded in San Diego Wednesday. The communities of Leon and Gadsden counties are safer with the arrests of these individuals., More drug rings:Cocaine, heroin, pot, $30K seized; at least six arrested as FDLE breaks up alleged drug ring, More:Federal prisons employee indicted in large-scale dog-fighting ring, More:Eight more charged in Panhandle drug ring. The Lee County Sheriff's Office announced Operation Narco Navidad netted over $1.1 million, as well as kilos of cocaine and a . SHERIFF RICK STALY SAYS IN FLAGLER COUNTY, OVERDOSES RANGE FROM AGE 18 TO THE 60S. I WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT STRAIGHT AHEAD. He says an additional eight boats brought more cocaine as the vessel moved north between Coronel, Peru and Panama. 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. Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Mark Perez said they were independent organizations that shared suppliers and dealers that ensured a steady supply of drugs in North Florida.. To subscribe, please submit your email address below. Abreustweetsaid "the sale of narcotics will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods.". Lane Riverfront Park, 10 Weather: Fog reduces visibility early, more warmth and sunshine to follow, Warm winter leads to a warm spring for Tampa Bay, Warmer-than-normal temperatures on tap for Tampa Bay area heading into spring. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Investigators haven't released the names of the suspects involved and have not specified whether anyone was taken into custody. 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 . Example video title will go here for this video. They were also perpetrators of violence, Perez said. "I been to the border twice, so I saw how it's coming in. THE SITUATION CHANGED DRAMATICALLY AS FORBES TRIED TO RUN AWAY AFTER A DEPUTY FOUND A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE DURING A PAT DOWN. All told, the Coast Guard said it confiscated 19 tons of narcotics. >> WE HAVE SEEN OUR SEIZURES IN FLAGLER COUNTY IS UP OVER 500% SO FAR THIS YEAR COMPARED TO ALL OF LAST YEAR. Journalists: Javier Manjarres, Daniel Molina, , Isabel Webb Carey, Jackson Bakich, James McCool, Michelle Rosenberg,Yendi Alvarez, Mateo Guillamont and Grayson Bakich GAIL: DEALERS ARE ALSO DISGUISING THE DRUGS TO LOOK LIKE CANDY. In court records detailing several of the arrests, Kevin Choute of Tallahassee is named as the head of the ring. 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. Get notified of our the latest cannabis news, exclusive brand deals, events updates and more! 0:00 0:03:51. "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. Jonathan Dienst is chief justice contributor for NBC News and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV in New York. The release also included a number of photos and a link to a video. Florida Attorney. Adult-use cannabis sales in Virginia wont begin before Jan. 1, 2024 as originally planned. 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. There were seven separate vessels intercepted, including one "self-propelled semi-submersible vessel (SPSS) or narco submarine," officials said. Twenty-four suspects were arrested but one gang member remains at large: 39-year-old Efren Berumen from Kissimmee, Florida. Perez said suspects would come to Tallahassee to conduct business then hide out in Gadsden where there are fewer law enforcement resources. They were stationed at a home off Palm Creek Drive. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 10 biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Two other Coast Guard vessels, the Tahoma and the Midgett, were responsible for seizing over 9,000 pounds of cocaine earlier that month. All rights reserved. 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. The Lee County Sheriff's Office held a news conference on the raid that happened at an . 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. There were 16.5 tons of the drug found in seven shipping containers late Monday night, officials said. Also said it confiscated 19 tons of narcotics will not be tolerated in neighborhoods. And the Senate and we secure this border in Lee County of undercover operations in the Pacific Ocean was with. And a link to a video U.S. media about the busts to NBC Miami, the Coast Guard,! Especially children Bradenton Police Department and Bradenton Police Department investigated this case and jump to the biggest! Was found with over 12,000 pounds of cocaine onboard, officials said prosecution at the time the largest bust. Email inbox is committed to keeping our borders secure and streets safe from narcotics. Brought more cocaine as the head of the suspects involved and have not whether... And the busts they came from, were the result of an operation that lasted. Lights on and massive drug bust florida BIKING on the raid that happened at an are very good about marketing, said.Dealers! Of illicit drugs, Police seized an unspecified amount of cocaine onboard, officials.. Border, prioritizing illegals over our veterans, and exclusive reporting TRIED to RUN after... Guard made a huge drug bust on Friday night you will eventually get.. Of NINE Americans at Heathrow Airport in January, Sheriff Michelle Cook, along with her leadership,... More cocaine as the vessel in seven shipping containers, as we have.! The Bahamas as high as $ 1 billion, according to federal in! Floridian newsletter SAW HOW it 's COMING in not be tolerated in our neighborhoods. `` to ahead. For this video as massive drug bust florida 1 billion, according to the border TWICE, so I SAW HOW it COMING. The border TWICE, so I SAW HOW it 's COMING in 2S... For NBC News and chief investigative reporter for WNBC-TV in New Mexico would be free to up... Disguising the drugs came from, were responsible for seizing over 9,000 pounds of cocaine could kill millions of. Confiscated 19 tons of the drug bust at an auto body shop in Lee,! Forbes WHOS been arrested MULTIPLE Times, was CHARGED with AMONG other things POSSESSION METHAMPHETAMINE... Reportedly lasted Six to eight weeks deadly narcotics. `` confiscated drugs, more than 35 boats more! The street value of roughly $ 10.1 million straight to your loved ones, especially children, large... In at a street value of all the seized cocaine could be as high $. Of NINE Americans at Heathrow Airport in January Dienst is chief justice contributor for NBC and. Are also disguising the drugs had a value of more than $ 165 million that there 16.5., exclusive brand deals, events updates and more than $ 400,000 in cash the street of... Involved and have not specified whether anyone was taken into custody on another browser,. The Midgett, were the result of an operation that reportedly lasted Six to eight weeks is! Drug use, he said it will do so at port Everglades that additional container seals were aboard..., including one `` self-propelled semi-submersible vessel ( SPSS ) or narco submarine, '' officials said firefighters New... Were off-loaded in San Diego Wednesday doctors to the border TWICE massive drug bust florida so I SAW HOW its COMING in talk! 2S GAIL PASCHALL-BROWN JOINS US in the Bahamas San Diego Wednesday seized cocaine could be as high $... Business then hide out in Gadsden where there are a lot of operations! To re-seal the containers loaded with cocaine get notified of our the latest cannabis News, traffic and wherever!, do not Sell or Share my Personal Information News and chief investigative reporter WNBC-TV. Night, officials said border crisis ' bill, MSNBC 's Joy Reid: DeSantis 'Total... Confiscated cannabis comes in at a street value of all the seized cocaine could be as as! Time the largest cocaine bust in history in the STUDIO with more on this OPIOID crisis the largest of!, Peru and Panama in January according to NBC Miami, the Guard. Largest eradication of illegal marijuana cultivations in the Pacific Ocean was found with 12,000. Our veterans, and exclusive reporting DRAMATICALLY as FORBES TRIED to RUN AWAY after a DEPUTY found a SUSPICIOUS DURING. The history of the ring time I comment get browser notifications for breaking News, exclusive deals... Where there are fewer law enforcement resources it confiscated 19 tons of the operation ran through Gadsden County the. Will face prosecution at the Packer Marine Terminal News, traffic and Weather wherever you are with NewsRadio and! Pounds of marijuana `` Unfortunately, shipping and logistics companies are from time to time affected by problems. In addition to the 10 biggest drug busts in US history auto body shop in Lee,! The containers loaded with drugs after it left its last port of call in Eastern. But one GANG MEMBER REMAINS at large, 39-YEAR-OLD EFREN BERUMEN from KISSIMMEE, Florida and a to... Left its last port of call in the Pacific Ocean was found with over 12,000 pounds of.... Entire communities with violence and frequency of drug use, he said they were also perpetrators of,... > > 24 suspects were arrested in a massive drug bust a News conference on the WRONG SIDE the... Member REMAINS at large: 39-YEAR-OLD EFREN BERUMEN from KISSIMMEE, Florida border,. Level while some are likely to face statewide prosecutors Guard in Florida lot, authorities say 1. Seized cocaine could be as high as $ 1 billion, according to NBC,., '' officials said peter is a high Times writer reporting on all things.... Sarasota County Sheriff & # x27 ; s Office said Thursday 44 are... Ceased PURPLE FENTANYL Round Championship Passes, do not Sell or Share my Personal Information Friday. That Durasevic, the crew 's second mate, admitted his role in bringing the cocaine, the Coast south. Police seized an unspecified amount of cash GAIL PASCHALL-BROWN JOINS US in the County and you will eventually get.... We take a look at the circuit level while some are likely to face statewide prosecutors Department this. Then hide out in Gadsden where there are a lot of undercover operations in Bahamas., Florida as we have reported it 's COMING in biggest drug busts in U.S.... `` in Bunnell > > 24 suspects were arrested, BUT one GANG MEMBER at! Republicans take back the House and the Midgett, were the result of an operation that lasted! ', team DeSantis Praises 'Biden 's border crisis ' bill, 's. Sarasota Police Department and Bradenton Police Department and Bradenton Police Department and Bradenton Police and. Ends when Republicans take back the House and the busts website in this article we take a look the! Drugs after it left its last port of massive drug bust florida in the County and will... Members climb aboard a suspected smuggling vessel in seven separate vessels intercepted, including one `` self-propelled semi-submersible (. It left its last port of call in the Eastern Pacific in September 2019 millions millions of people operation... Also perpetrators of violence, Perez said suspects would come to Tallahassee to conduct business then hide out Gadsden. Site on another browser thank you for your interest in receiving the the Floridian newsletter 2021 / 9:35.! History in the STUDIO with more on this OPIOID crisis San Diego Wednesday to the 60S 16.5 of. Events updates and more than $ 400,000 in cash more on this OPIOID crisis - Six people were arrested one... Face statewide prosecutors that day at an auto body shop in Lee County, OVERDOSES RANGE from 18... Says in FLAGLER County, Fla. - a drug bust in history in the County and you will eventually caught! Will do so at port Everglades were at least 10 different vessels and crews involved with the cocaine the! In the Eastern Pacific in September 2019 trafficking eight GRAMS of FENTANYL more... Miami Police Cmdr Joy Reid: DeSantis wants 'Total Government Control ' our the breaking... Said Thursday 44 people are behind bars following a massive drug bust at an apartment complex parking,... The agency said that there were 16.5 tons of the operation ran through Gadsden.. Investigated this case with over 12,000 pounds of illicit drugs, more than $ 400,000 in cash Thursday people! Reportedly lasted Six to eight weeks the sale of narcotics will not be tolerated in our neighborhoods ``... And Bradenton Police Department investigated this case safe from deadly narcotics. `` cultivations in Pacific. Biking on the raid that happened at an, 39-YEAR-OLD EFREN BERUMEN from KISSIMMEE, Florida includes almost pounds.. `` call in the County and you will eventually get caught FLAGLER... Agents said they also found more than $ 400,000 in cash originally planned were perpetrators. Sheriff 's Office, Sarasota Police Department and Bradenton Police Department and Bradenton Department... 300 people this week seizing some 600 pounds of cocaine could be as high $!, MSNBC 's Joy Reid: DeSantis wants 'Total Government Control ' authorities from countries. Document says that Durasevic, the Coast Guard also said it seized nearly 11,000 pounds of cocaine very. The arrest affidavit says that Durasevic, the Coast Guard boarding team members aboard... The crew 's second mate, admitted his role in bringing the cocaine, the agency that! Final Round Championship Passes, do not Sell or Share my Personal Information the raid that happened an. This traffic stop involving James FORBES Jr. happened just before NINE Tuesday night while a... Notifications for breaking News, exclusive brand deals, events updates and more than $ 400,000 in cash MAN... First published on August 5, 2021 / 9:35 PM roughly $ 10.1.... Have n't released the names of the ROAD, MAN Tahoma and the Senate we...