LAKE WALES, Fla. Thirty-two people are facing dozens of charges following a $283,000 drug trafficking bust in Polk County, the sheriff's office said. Major Drug Bust in Florida WebU.S. Researchers say red tide is pushing sharks into Tampa Bay area canals, Seattle Kraken take Yanni Gourde from Tampa Bay Lightning in expansion draft, Gov. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 150 people were arrested, including two people from South Florida. Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page. Port Charlotte, FL - March 2, 2023 Deputies approaching a vehicle interrupted a passenger attempting to inject Heroin during a traffic stop. Judd said the two were rappers and liked to show off the guns and jewelry they obtained. Deputies: 16 arrested in Volusia County drug busts - News 13 Learn More. I know my community very well, I am aware of my surroundings, I know the area the drugs were confiscated, and I know the Sheriff's Office is working hard to make change for the community, she said. Inside the home, they found cocaine, heroin, Oxycodone, MDMA, Tramadol, marijuana, Fentanyl, handguns and drug paraphernalia. To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletter HERE and receive news straight to your email every morning. Drug trafficking impacts entire communities with violence and frequency of drug use, he said. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Stephanie Bryan of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Nevada Democrats face brewing civil war ahead of, Have a tax filing extension this year? One of the top suspects was murdered during the investigation, which began in June, and his son was charged in another murder. 32 charged in Polk County $283K drug bust | wtsp.com The Fentanyl seized is enough to kill nearly 30,000 people by overdose, officials say. Altogether, the suspects have 645 previous charges, including 314 prior felonies and 331 prior misdemeanors. Closed for business, Traffic stop leads to drug bust on local trap Law enforcement arrests 83 people in Marion County involved in drug trafficking, 'My son didn't deserve this': Gainesville mother mourns 4-year-old son who drowned in pond, Three inmates treated after being found under-the-influence in a Columbia County prison, Ocala police uncover drug operation run by father and son during shooting investigation. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 150 people were arrested, including two people from South Florida. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. They hurt parents and siblings and spouses and most of all our children, Cook said. Share currently playing on Facebook (Opens a new window), Share currently playing on Twitter (Opens a new window), Jacksonvilles Morning News with Rich Jones, Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories, SPOTLIGHT: Gate River Run kicks off first weekend in March, Alaska's arduous Iditarod kicks off with ceremonial start, Election conspiracies fuel dispute over voter fraud system, NFL combine 2023 tracker: QBs take stage for 40-yard dash, throwing portion, You Decide 2023 - The Race For Jacksonville Mayor - LeAnna Cumber Spotlight, You Decide 2023 - The Race For Jacksonville Mayor - Daniel Davis Spotlight, You Decide 2023 - The Race For Jacksonville Mayor - Omega Allen Spotlight. 'Don't Mistake Kindness For Weakness,' Dallas Police Chief Two people, including the father of former Florida State and NFL player Letroy Guion, were charged for selling cocaine. View all posts by Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Closed for business, Traffic stop leads to drug bust on local trap house, Man arrested after scheduling meetup with minor for sex, PC Man Arrested with Trafficking Amount of Fentanyl/Cocaine, Florida Division of Gaming Enforcement puts local casinos on notice, Deputies catch one of Charlotte Countys most wanted after foot pursuit ends in canal, 2.50 grams (in vial weight) of liquid Heroin from inside syringe, 0.1 grams (IBW) of pink/blue Fentanyl on top of center console, 8 white pills bearing the markings M8 which were identified via pill identifier as Hydromorphone Hydrochloride (schedule 2 controlled substance), One bottle cap (Contents testing positive for Fentanyl), One cigarette wrapper that previously contained Hydromorphone Hydrochloride pills, Drug Paraphernalia Possession or Use Of. All Rights Reserved. $1.6 million worth of fentanyl seized in Montco bust: DA. 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. major Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. Two men from South Florida are among more than 100 people who were recently arrested in connection with a Darknet drug trafficking bust. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. The sheriff said during the news conference that they also raided a Gateway home on Avalon Lake Circle. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office arrested 16 people on drugs charges during busts this week. WebMiami-Dade PD Takes Down 5 In Drug Bust Near Kendall School, Confiscating Duffle Bags, Coolers Full Of Narcotics. By Dave Huddleston, WSB-TV November 19, 2021 at 7:22 pm EST Thirteen people were arrested Thursday and more than $1 million were seized in a major drug bust that stretched from Athens to Atlanta. The drug busts, which started at 4 a.m. on Monday, took place at the Budget Inn and Bradford Inn, which are both located along Hwy 301, and in a residential area on North Pine Street which is located off of SR 16. Orlando police seize fentanyl, meth, cocaine and cash during Following a 16-month undercover investigation, Polk County Sheriffs Office undercover Narcotics detectives and the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force made 29 arrests in the Lake Wales area and obtained three arrest warrants related to the trafficking, sale, and possession of illegal narcotics. The Lee County Sheriffs Office held a news conference on the raid that happened at an auto body shop off of Evans Avenue and Oak Ridge Court on Wednesday. In January, Sheriff Michelle Cook, along with According to Judd, McClain told investigators he dyed the methamphetamines blue in recognition of the Democratic Party. All rights reserved. arrested in worldwide drug trafficking operation, including If you are a drug dealer understand that we have a highly trained and professional team of patrol deputies and detectives who love our community and will not allow you to prey upon our children and families, Cook said. Major drug operation nets 13 arrests, millions Inside the vehicle, deputies located: Daniel Lamb was issued a criminal citation for Operating a Motor Vehicle with a suspended license and was released from the scene. During the search warrant a plethora of drug paraphernalia was located including hundreds of used drug baggies and syringes. A man in south Florida died from a brain-eating infection last month after using tap water during sinus rinses, according to FOX 4. Deputies: 16 arrested in Volusia County drug 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. WebLAKE WALES, Fla. Thirty-two people are facing dozens of charges following a $283,000 drug trafficking bust in Polk County, the sheriff's office said. This afternoon Im at @ocalapd for a press conference with UDEST to speak on the opioid epidemic and the arrest of 83 people involved with drugs in Marion Co. @WCJB20 @MCSOFlorida pic.twitter.com/3qW2x9taCc. All rights reserved. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Drugs dont just affect one person. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office arrested 16 people on drugs charges during busts this week. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Are dogs allowed on the beach in Dauphin Island? Copyright 2021 WCJB. Spencer, Dawodu and Ogandoare charged in the District of Columbia withconspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Sheriff Grady Judd is speaking to the media in regards to Operation: Bell Gang Blues, a drug trafficking investigation in Lake Wales that netted 29 suspects, and arrest warrants for three others. His agents and other law enforcement officials spent a total of 12,000 man hours during the investigation and it was clear from the violence that surrounded the drug ring that the two are deeply connected. WebORLANDO, Fla. Orlando police say they seized 2 grams of fentanyl, 24 grams of cocaine, 7 grams of methamphetamine, 2 grams of MDMA plus marijuana, pills and cash during a As the deputy approached, he observed Ketchum with a loaded syringe in her hand attempting to inject herself with a substance testing positive for Heroin. ECSO: Major drug dealer arrested, more than 2,000 pounds of Related story: Ocala police uncover drug operation run by father and son during shooting investigation. Operation Dirty Water dogs rescued during Vero Beach drug bust United Cartels and Others Charged They also found $4,557 in cash inside the house. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Florida If you have any information on local drug activity, please contact the Charlotte County Sheriffs Office at 941-639-2101 or through our mobile app. WebCLAY COUNTY, Fla. The Clay County Sheriffs Office said Thursday 44 people are behind bars following a massive drug bust. Record drug bust: $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Agents with the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) announced Wednesday that they have seized more than 300 marijuana plants, plus an additional 300 packaged marijuana products. Deputies say all illegal drug activity was traced to the Clay Hill and Middleburg areas and Operation Hammer and Hope was launched in an effort to fight against drugs and drug dealers in the area. In court records detailing several of the arrests, Kevin Choute of Tallahassee is named as the head of the ring. Brown had an active warrant for trafficking in heroin. 2023 www.tallahassee.com. Gateway family busted with cocaine & fentanyl in major drug LEE COUNTY, Fla. Six people were arrested in a massive drug bust at an auto body shop in Lee County. Drug All 32 people said to be involved in the drug trafficking operation face a total of 301 felonies and 134 misdemeanors. Police say they are still looking for Mario Hankerson on a warrant for selling cocaine. WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) Federal and local law enforcement officials have arrested six people in connection to a drug trafficking operation with Mexican drug cartel ties, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. WebRecent Posts. Deputies approaching a vehicle interrupted a passenger attempting to inject Heroin during a traffic stop. Are dogs allowed on the beach in Gulf Shores? 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.. In January, Sheriff Michelle Cook, along with her leadership team, say they took a hard look at the drug issues in Clay County and discussed strategies on how to best combat them. Most of these suspects are gang members and contributed to violent crimes, Perez said. We arent only going to put you in jail, but were going to take you money cars and businesses and anything else you gained from the sale of illegal drugs, Sheriff Marceno said. From left: Luis Spencer, 31, and Olatunji Dawodu, 36. WebNOW PLAYING ABOVE. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of various narcotics and ties to a local drug house. 4 people were arrested and 6 animals were rescued at a recent drug bust in Vero Beach. He allegedly had multiple "stash houses" in town that were raided by police who discovered drugs, cash and guns. A collaborative of law enforcement officials announced the arrests after nearly a year of work, which allegedlybrought down major players and street level dealers who operated in Leon and Gadsden counties but had connections to California, Georgia and Texas. In the largest methamphetamine seizure in Miami-Dade County history, law enforcement agents seized The deputy immediately removed Ketchum from the vehicle and placed her into custody. WebLAKE COUNTY, Fla. A man from Lake County could face life in prison after getting arrested on federal drug conspiracy charges, according to the U.S. Attorneys office. To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletter HERE and receive news straight to your email every morning. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Despite 32 people being charged, only 29 have been arrested, according to the sheriff's office. We will never know the lives saved through this investigation.. team makes major drug bust at Pensacola home According to authorities, U.S. authorities teamed up with Europol to make the Operation Dark HunTor arrests. 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. WebThey also confiscated 36 pounds of crystal meth, two kilograms of cocaine, over one kilogram of heroin, three kilograms of fentanyl, $108,000 in cash and 21 guns and Drug-resistant stomach bug spreading across US: Serious public health alert. Authorities also identified other co-conspirators and carried out search warrants for each person, which resulted in the seizure of $770,000, one weapon and about 3.5 kilograms of pressed fentanyl. August 26, 2021 The Escambia County Sheriffs Office has announced the largest marijuana grow and distribution operation ever busted in Escambia County. PENSACOLA Eleven people from Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther, Navarre and Miramar Beach were sentenced Friday to multi-year federal prison terms on drug-related charges. STARKE, Fla. (WCJB) - The Starke Police Department arrested eight people in connection with a drug distribution ring early Monday morning. According to police, Starke and Lawtey Police Department officers arrested the eight individuals in various parts of the county in connection to the drug ring. Everything you love about wokv.com and more! Deputies: 16 arrested in massive drug bust at Central Florida home Drug bust near Cocoa sees 14 people arrested - Florida Today Narcotics detectives also located 24 Buprenorphine films inside the vehicle Kellie Coe was driving. drug bust Five people have been arrested in connection to a huge JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said a long-term drug investigation took down a major drug distribution ring in Jacksonville Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. A cocaine/heroin/fentanyl mixture weighed in at 189.5 grams. During a press conference Thursday morning, Judd said earlier this year the Polk County Sheriffs Office High 27 arrested after major Jacksonville drug bust, JSO says TRENDING STORY: Gainesville man arrested for pulling gun on his brother. 30 pounds of cocaine, $330,000 cash seized; 27 charged in Copyright 2021 WCJB. Our community is safer because of the outstanding work by our detectives. Grady Judd, Sheriff, Tampa Bay Florida's #1 Hit Music Channel and home of The joe Show, PCSO charges 32 suspects during Operation Bell Gang Blues, a 16-month investigation of illegal drug trafficking. PCSO charges 32 suspects during Operation Bell Gang Blues, a 16-month investigation of illegal drug traffickingPhoto: Polk County Sheriffs Office. During the investigation, detectives and agents executed search warrants at eight locations in southeast Polk County: Detectives filed 301 total felony and 134 total misdemeanor charges against the suspects during the investigation. s Biggest Ever Marijuana Distributor Arrested The following drugs were recovered by deputies: Sheriff Cook says drugs are a real problem in Clay County, with over 500 drug-related arrests and 23 confirmed overdose deaths in 2021 so far. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said a long-term drug investigation took down a major drug distribution ring in Jacksonville consisting of 27 arrests. Director of UDEST, Captain Jason Douglas said he wont stop.