Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page. 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. Contact Karl Etters at ketters@tallahassee.com or @KarlEtters on Twitter. team makes major drug bust at Pensacola home All Rights Reserved. Investigators said the arrests included charges of armed trafficking in fentanyl, armed trafficking in oxycodone, possession of methamphetamine, and the sale and delivery of crack cocaine. Polk Sheriff talks about major drug bust and makes up a rap verse All 32 people said to be involved in the drug trafficking operation face a total of 301 felonies and 134 misdemeanors. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. ECSO: Major drug dealer arrested, more than 2,000 pounds of The sheriff says getting drugs off Clay Countys streets couldnt have been done without the communitys help. There were more than 100 charges from the cases, including over 80 felonies. 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. They arrested Marcus Blankenship and Steven Brown and there were three other people inside at the time. All rights reserved. Once she returned, the vehicle left. 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. Learn More. 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. Police say they are still looking for Mario Hankerson on a warrant for selling cocaine. The sheriff said, during their investigation, deputies discovered there were three key players behind the drug trafficking. There will also be a no-questions-asked drug drop-off location. All rights reserved. Major drug dealer arrested, more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana seized Aug 26, 2021 / 07:59 All rights reserved. A man in south Florida died from a brain-eating infection last month after using tap water during sinus rinses, according to FOX 4. While several arrests were made in Tallahassee, a large part of the operation ran through Gadsden County. In this instance, eleven guns were in the hands of these felons two of which were stolen. On April 29 and 30 deputies and investigators hit areas in DeLand and Deltona. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Officials say more arrests are likely in the case. MIAMI - South Florida federal prosecutors have charged the leader of a notorious Mexican drug cartel and five others for their alleged roles in importing into the United States over 500 kilograms of Mexican methamphetamine. Deputies and detectives from the West Volusia Narcotics Task Force and Deltona Narcotics Enforcement Team were part of the operation. WebA 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. "We put your tail in the county jail. Tune in to FOX 35 Orlando for the latest Central bust The deputy immediately removed Ketchum from the vehicle and placed her into custody. The operation resulted in the seizure of weapons, drugs and more than $31 million in cash and virtual currencies. From left: Luis Spencer, 31, and Olatunji Dawodu, 36. Reach out for help. Operation Dirty Water WebCLAY COUNTY, Fla. The Clay County Sheriffs Office said Thursday 44 people are behind bars following a massive drug bust. Those arrested on various drug-related charges include Raymond Officials said that several suspects who were directly involved with opioid overdose death investigations were arrested. To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletter HERE and receive news straight to your email every morning. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. One of the accounts was operated out of the Miami area and the other out of the Providence, Rhode Island, area.. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. and last updated 7:21 PM, May 13, 2021 LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. More than 100 people have been arrested in the U.S., Europe and Australia in connection with a worldwide drug trafficking investigation stemming from sales on the Darknet. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. According to authorities, U.S. authorities teamed up with Europol to make the Operation Dark HunTor arrests. VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office arrested 16 people on drugs charges during busts this week. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 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. 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. 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. They 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 ammunition - all in just three months. (Volusia County Sheriff's Office), California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. August 26, 2021 The Escambia County Sheriffs Office has announced the largest marijuana grow and distribution operation ever busted in Escambia County. TRENDING STORY: Gainesville man arrested for pulling gun on his brother. Florida Copyright 2021 WCJB. During the search warrant a plethora of drug paraphernalia was located including hundreds of used drug baggies and syringes. 27 arrested after major Jacksonville drug bust, JSO says Drug trafficking impacts entire communities with violence and frequency of drug use, he said. 01, 2021. Cox Media Group. s Biggest Ever Marijuana Distributor Arrested Judd said James McClain, 34, was a major distributor of methamphetamines and marijuana in the Lake Wales area. 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 PUBLISHED 7:31 PM ET May. drug Gateway family busted with cocaine & fentanyl in major drug operation, North Port man crashed through FHP homicide investigation, Motorcyclist dead after crash at Fort Myers shopping center. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. 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. The SWAT team made entry to the home after knocking and announcing who they were. The big scale when you look at it, and you look at the big picture, some would say its something we just cant beat, I dont believe that. Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices! Are dogs allowed on the beach in Dauphin Island? Its terrifying that number of people can die at the hands of a drug dealer that wants to turn a quick profit, and for those people that are watching this press conference later on, let me say this, I know that there are addicts out there that are going to see this, and Im going to ask you to do this, reach out for help. Please check your connection and try again using the Retry button. New Zealand police find 3.5 tons of cocaine in Pacific Ocean. 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Florida Ketchum was observed exiting the vehicle and entering the home. Deputies: 16 arrested in massive drug bust at Central Florida home Drug bust near Cocoa sees 14 people arrested - Florida Today Operation Dirty Water Leads to Major Drug Bust in Floridas Polk County May 8, 2021 May 7, 2021 Casey Owens The Polk County sheriffs office along with the U.S. Border Control and other federal agencies have seized 120 gallons of liquid methamphetamine and other narcotics as a result of a transnational investigation named February 26, 2021 / 8:48 AM / CBS Texas DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Newly sworn-in Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia is praising his Narcotics division and SWAT for a recent drug bust. 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. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. Closed for business, Traffic stop leads to drug bust on local trap house March 2, 2023; Man arrested after scheduling meetup with minor for sex February 27, In a news conference, JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams said a long-term drug investigation took down a major drug distribution ring in Jacksonville If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Narcotics detectives also located 24 Buprenorphine films inside the vehicle Kellie Coe was driving. Sign up below to be added to our mailing list for the latest news updates, access to exclusive contests, and more! Gabriel Cossio, Gabriel Cossio Jr., Melissa Cossio, Jesus Cossio, Aaron Pruitt, and Christopher Ramirez were all arrested on drug charges. The vehicle traveled down Veterans Blvd until a deputy was able to make a traffic stop. 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. 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.