"To put that in perspective, just a couple of milligrams of fentanyl are considered fatal," Simmons said. Mr. Dumont said the leaders of the ring were Carlos Fernandez, 32 years old, of Miami and David Barco, 32, of Elizabeth. October 20th, 2020 7:31 am, Oversight on They arrested Marcus Blankenship and Steven Brown and there were three other people inside at the time. Gustavo Adolfo Pareja, 26, of Cali,. We need to know about the issues and how we can help," Bruno said. The search warrant resulted in one arrest. Nahn Thanh Vo, 38, was arrested Aug. 19. Ten handguns, including one equipped with a silencer, were confiscated by the authorities. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. A warehouse raid in Hayward in the east bay seized 1,200 pounds of heroin worth roughly $3 billion. August 26th, 2021 8:47 pm, Beach Boy on In cooperation with Panamas government, a Coast Guard ship stopped and searched a container ship, and discovered more than 42,000 pounds of cocaine worth $350 million. Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. September 2nd, 2021 12:10 am, Mark on Drug trafficking is probably the most lucrative illegal money maker, which the richest drug dealers of all time can attest to. BLO activities remain more dispersed throughout the United States, with heavier concentrations in areas with large heroin markets," said the DEA. "Restaurateur faces drug . All Rights Reserved. Pompano Beach, FL 33062 (954) 945-7520. Eighteen of those arrested or being sought live in Florida and 11 live in New York. Click to skip ahead and see the list of top 5 cities that are crowded by Mexican drug cartels . Mr. Barco is also accused of collecting money for the organization and transmitting it back to Colombia. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, No. 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. More than $1 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana was offloaded by the Coast Guard'sCutter . Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated in the raid of a Fort Myers auto shop. August 27th, 2021 12:27 pm, ensley boy on August 26th, 2021 8:16 pm, Joshua jenkins on Gulf Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses Detroit as a major hub. Others involved in the ring have been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and face maximum penalties of up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Pensacon headlines your 5 Things to do this Weekend! October 20th, 2020 2:59 pm, Conservative centrist on October 21st, 2020 11:32 am, Lance on "And many of those are fentanyl-related, because fentanyl can be added to other drugs, and people don't really know what they're getting," Simmons said. "We're committed to stopping the ones who are bringing this stuff in. Pensacola State Police scored the biggest drug bust in college history April 20, according to Chief Hank Shirah, netting $4,548 in U.S. currency and 500 grams of hydroponic marijuana with a street value of $10,000. February 22, 2023. October 20th, 2020 2:19 am. . They clearly don't care about violating the employment discrimination laws. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Press Release One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. Crazy if you do it, but apparently its a thing now.. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists fentanyl as being up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The Sandwich Shop was not in operation prior to the hurricane. Disclosure: 18 Biggest Drug Busts In U.S. History is originally published at Insider Monkey. "This investigation began because of a series of violent crimes we had earlier this. August 26th, 2021 6:05 pm. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office puts a stop to a major drug operation in Pensacola. August 29th, 2021 11:25 am, Michal Payton on Castillo, who played for the Florida Marlins, New York Mets & others during his 15-year career, .Ex-MLB Stars Accused In Biggest Drug Bust In Dominican Republic History.Share. August 30th, 2021 1:53 pm, Dreama Brazwell on Drug smuggling knows no age, and this August 2018 bust is proof. In case of a tie, we rank the city with more powerful cartels higher. The total lot size is .54 acres (2,200m2). Explore more on Drug Bust. Next: Not the kind of father and son activity most people do. Many are first-time or casual users. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons held a press conference Friday afternoon regarding the department's recent multi-home drug bust he dubbed "Operation Blue Christmas.". That arrest triggered an eight-month investigation that included the placing of court-authorized telephone taps at nine locations, including the travel agency, where an electronic listening device was also installed. That's enough to conceivably kill every person in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County and Walton County. Law enforcement officials said today that they had arrested 61 members of a cocaine ring that illegally imported and distributed more than 2,400 kilograms of the drug a year, with a street value. Forget talking about just drug dealers, Pablo Escobar is one of the richest criminals who ever lived. . I can tell you, marijuana will be a little bit harder to come by here in Escambia County, Simmons said at a Thursday press conference at which he announced the arrest. The largest marijuana distributor to ever peddle pot in the history of Escambia County has been arrested, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. Anyone can read what you share. So, while a 1984 raid in Colombia (with the help of the DEA) seizing 13.8 metric tons of cocaine worth $1.2 billion represents one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history, that was just a good month for Escobars clan. Between Dec. 9 and Dec. 15 the ECSO narcotics unit and Pensacola Police Department SWAT team seized 1,600 grams of fentanyl, which the sheriff said is enough to kill 800,000 people, from five. Andre Earl Johns, 22, was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school property; trespassing on school . Narcotics that used to sell locally for $10 a pill now command as much as $80. Read More. Colin Warren-Hicks can be reached at colinwarrenhicks@pnj.com or 850-435-8680. Gulf Cartel is the 5th most influential Mexican drug cartel in the U.S.. Gulf Cartel is also the only Mexican cartel that uses Houston as a major hub. 13-6b (M FIRST DEGREE) #2 ADDED PENDING. He said the cocaine was smuggled into Florida by ship, then transported to New Jersey and other locations in the door panels and tires of automobiles. They range from drug . Well, a 2011 raid in San Diego originated the idea. According to the DEA, Mexican drug cartels continue to expand their presence and forge partnerships with other transnational gangs, U.S. street gangs, prison gangs, and Chinese money laundering organizations. "We're committed to stopping the ones who are bringing this stuff in. Sheriff calls for community action. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking marijuana. Drug smuggling isnt a very wholesome father and son activity, but here we are. Click to see the list of top 5 cities that are crowded by Mexican drug cartels. More on the fentanyl crisis: Fentanyl overdose deaths have surged in the Florida Panhandle. Escambia County EMS crews responded to 1,095 overdose calls in 2021. Read More. The bar opened in 1977 and is credited with creating Pensacola's own drink, The Bushwacker. WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Authorities say a two-year undercover investigation resulted in 85 arrests, the seizure of over $12.8 million worth of drugs, and the dismantling of an international drug trafficking organization whose ringleaders operated out of Winter Haven. Five people have been arrested in connection to a huge haul of narcotics near a . On Aug. 18, authorities conducted 11 simultaneous search warrants on properties with ties to Vos dealings. Here's the latest bracketology predictions. The sheriff's office said on Wednesday the. Read more: Which Politicians Had Terrible Diseases Like John McCain? "Consistent with previous years, the Sinaloa Cartel maintains the widest national influence, with its most dominant positions along the West Coast, in the Midwest, and in the Northeast. ''As much as 200 kilos a month was being brought into the Union County area,'' Mr. Dumont said. We're committed to stopping the ones who are selling it and opening up their homes for this type of dangerous behavior.". Another 2018 haul is one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. At the press conference, deputies displayed photographs taken of the inside of the Klondyke Road property that included images of a suitcase full of money with an estimated $500,000 neatly stacked inside, assault-rifle-type weapons and walk-in safes filled with rows oforganized and packaged drugs. . Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons held a press conference Friday afternoon regarding the department's recent multi-home drug bust he dubbed "Operation Blue Christmas.". Posted: Jun 10, 2021 / 04:59 PM EDT. As a result, some of the biggest drug busts in history have discovered billions of dollars worth of illicit substances. Melonie Holt October 21st, 2020 12:57 pm, Bonnie on For overdose and related medical emergencies please dial 911. Updated: Jun 10, 2021 / 05:06 PM EDT. Florida Gov. Jalisco New Generation Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses New York City as a major hub. Mr. Dumont said the arrests had resulted in the dismantling of an international organization that had operated in New Jersey since 1979 and distributed cocaine in New Jersey, New York and other states. "I would say that it is impossible to tell the exact impact of the seizure or the number of lives saved.". The officials said the ring was centered in Elizabeth, N.J., where 28 of those arrested live. Next: A bust that saved the equivalent of 26 million lives. Rep. Michelle Salzman Calls For Resignation Of School Superintendent Tim Smith, Two Women Charged With Working Together On Multiple Retail Thefts, Catholic Church Plans New Community Center On Highway 29 In Cantonment, ECSO Investigating Reported Abduction Of Teen Girl In Bratt; She Was Found Unharmed, Located: Woman Wanted For Questioning In Deadly Escambia Pit Bull Attack, 11 Arrested In Internet Child Predator Sting, Atmore Man Charged With Reckless Murder Of His 2-Year Old Child, Cantonment Man Charged With Assault With A Deadly Weapon, All Star High School Soccer Game Is Wednesday Night, Tall Job: Crews Paint Walnut Hill Water Tower, 2,156 pounds of the highest grade marijuana, citizen II on The DEA "assesses that the following six Mexican TCOs as having the greatest drug trafficking impact on the United States: Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, BeltranLeyva Organization, Juarez Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and Los Zetas Cartel". Smith was booked into the Escambia County Jail on March 4 with bond, and county records indicated that he remained in custody as of Thursday afternoon. Border agents in San Diego arrested an 81-year old woman after they found 34 heroin packages weighing 92 pounds. Juarez Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses Oklahoma City as a major hub. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Business owner guilty on all counts." Pensacola News Journal, February 12, 2008. Suspect in huge '78 pot bust captured .Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Tom O'Brien confirmed yesterday that the 1978 pot seizure was the largest ever made by the agency's Seattle office. [citation needed]. April 15, 2022 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. It is the 4th most powerful Mexican drug cartel operating in the United States. August 27th, 2021 11:29 am, Green rocket on Jaquan Charmine Xavier Smith, 26, of Pensacola, has so far been charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest without violence, driving with a suspended license and violation of probation. The SWAT team. Our ranking methodology is quite simple. The Sandshaker Lounge, Package Store and Sandwich Shop, located at 731 Pensacola Beach Boulevard, Pensacola Beach, Florida, consists of two small bars and lounge area totaling approximately 1,978 square feet (183.8m2). Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. ': Corey Marioneaux Jr. speaks out after being cleared in Pensacola SWAT case. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. The biggest raids happened in the 20th century, but check out No. Report: Escambia County crime rate down nearly 10% in 2021, rapes and assaults increased, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. One of the biggest drug busts Florida has ever seen was straight out of a movie. Pensacola News Journal, April 29, 2006. Here's why. Next: Where have we heard this one before? The county is on track to nearly double that number in 2022, with 1,969 reported overdoses as of Dec. 12, according to a county EMS dashboard. Next: Lets head down the coast for No. Simmons also said there was a 4-month-old child in the house laying next to powdered fentanyl and said the department is investigating that situation. The reason Simmons said the operation was named "Operation Blue Christmas" is because of the blue pills that are laced with unknown amounts of fentanyl, leading to many overdoses in the community. August 30th, 2021 9:42 pm, 429SCJ on To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. "The DEA reports that 2 milligrams of fentanyl are lethal," Simmons said at the press conference. 61 ARE ARRESTED IN COCAINE RAID IN THREE STATES, https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/13/nyregion/61-are-arrested-in-cocaine-raid-in-three-states.html. Mexican cartels aren't prevalent in New York City probably because smaller Colombian drug operations still supply large quantities of cocaine and heroin into New York City. October 20th, 2020 9:08 pm, Don Rojo on ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WEAR) Three men are behind bars after a month long drug investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office narcotics unit. We know what youre thinking Canada isnt the United States, so how come it shows up on our countdown? The Escambia County. All accounts, contract rights, accounts receivables and general intangible rights relating to or otherwise existing as a consequence of the operation are included in the auction. In 1989, authorities seized more than 21 tons of cocaine worth roughly $6.9 billion on the street sitting in a nondescript warehouse. August 27th, 2021 1:29 pm, Chris on Based in the city of Guadalajara, CJNG is the fastest growing drug cartel and the second biggest player in the United States. Rhode Island has some of the loosest marijuana laws in the country, but you avoid trouble only when you have a little bit. Indeed, it seems that not a week goes by without a report of "one of the biggest drug busts in Utah's history," "Brooklyn's biggest drug bust in history," "one of the biggest drug . August 26th, 2021 6:46 pm, Just Me on Remember when we discussed a secret drug tunnel in Arizona that authorities discovered in 2018? "I can tell you, marijuana will be a. Along with serving five warrants, here are the sheriff's "totals for the week" in seizures from the five homes: "I will tell you this: We are committed to stopping these people who are ruining our neighborhoods," Simmons said. This is probably not the last time you hear about CJNG as it is more willing to engage in violent confrontations with rival cartels and security forces. Gun crime:Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. October 20th, 2020 10:47 am, Paul on Mr. Dumont said no large amounts of drugs had been seized in the raids because the drugs were distributed quickly and the members of the ring did not keep large quantities in their homes. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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