biggest drug bust in ocala fl

Drugs, guns, and thousands of dollars were seized. He had two kilos hidden in a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal box and three kilos concealed in a yellow Igloo cooler. According to investigators, the fentanyl was manufactured in Mexico and trafficked into the U.S. to be made into synthetic pills and sold on the streets. The cocaine has a street value of $2 million. Many who have applied for unemployment since the "outbreak" of COVID-19 still have not received any benefits. Officials said that the arrest of Noah Francis in Summerfield was their biggest bust of the bunch, as they were able to recover two kilograms of fentanyl, the drug that is most commonly the cause of over dose deaths. Market data provided by Factset. There were 16.5 tons of the drug found in . Douglas added that in the first quarter of this year, UDEST arrested more than 80 people some of which are listed below with charges ranging from possession to drug trafficking. Yes, you read correctly. During an executed search warrant, at a duplex home on NE 3rd Street in Ocala, detectives found more than six pounds of marijuana, narcotics including fentanyl, guns and other stolen items. Rodriguez was taken into custody by the Manatee County Sheriffs Office on October 14 for trafficking in fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, possession of a vehicle for drug trafficking, unlawful use of a two-way communication device and possession of drug paraphernalia. Tapia has Prior convictions of: Resist Officer W/O Violence- 2010. All rights reserved. The search also netted the largest cannabis wax and MDMA seizures in CCSO history. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Rojas was in the process of obtaining his U.S. citizenship and is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Both are in the Alachua County Jail on charges of trafficking in cocaine. Alfredo Ortiz-Hernandez, 25, of 750 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, California is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic in Meth over 200 grams, Trafficking in Meth over 200 grams. Luis Villafuerte Rojas, 39, of 2322 View Way, Lakeland. UDEST agents went to the residence to conduct a power investigation. Six drug dealers, four men and two women, were arrested following an United Drug Enforcement Strike Team investigation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Dioscelina Galaraza-Ozorio, 33, of 2322 View Way, Lakeland is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Warrants were served at 13785 SW 42nd Court Road, Marion Oaks; 14310 SW 39th Court Road, Marion Oaks; 2713 SW 15th St, Ocala; 1240 SE County Road 484, Apartment E1; and 1240 SE CR 484, Apartment E2. He is pleased with the overall outcome of the investigation but wants answers. The quantity of the drug was enough to kill 2.7 million people. 38th Ave., lives in a mobile home park just west of I-75 between State Road 200 and State Road 40. "We've made some large seizures, but nothing like this," Strow said. The residents, 32-year-old Sylvester Welcome and 27-year-old Sharla Welcome, as well as 36-year-old Daniel Harshman, were all arrested. Danielle Campbell, 26, of 9555 Kingsbury Court, Windermere is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Director of UDEST, Captain Jason Douglas said he wont stop. Six drug dealers, four men and two women, were arrested following an United Drug Enforcement Strike Team investigation. Author email; Jan 31, 2020 Jan 31, 2020 Updated May 9, 2022; Facebook; (Polk County Sheriff's Office). Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Hernando County sheriff's deputies displayed 5,550 doses of heroin Friday, worth between $50,000 to $100,000 on the street, captured during the county's largest heroin bust in history. Police released these images from the bust. "We got word several years ago that he was 'back in,' " Howie said. UDEST is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) advises residents living in homes with private wells affected by floodwaters to take precautions against Doctors say they are now being threatened with fines and revocation of their medical license if they speak to the media about COVID-19 "vaccines." Lisa Bonugli (street nickname Methany) was also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Riviera Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, located at, 1935 SE US Highway At a June 18, 2020, emergency meeting of the Crystal River City Council, members voted unanimously to postpone the 2020 fireworks display to a An Illinois family used the obituary of their loved one who allegedly had passed away from COVID-19 to blame anti-vaxxers for her death. 2023 www.ocala.com. Humane Society |Citrus County Animal Services |Florida Travel | Ocala Post. Tutt was killed when deputies returned fire. Douglas said the most important seizures involve Fentanyl, an opioid used as a pain medication and recreational drug thats frequently connected to overdoses. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, During a July 13 press conference, officials said Dandridge was arrested outside Pepe's restaurant on West State Road 40 in the Martel area. Major drug dealer arrested, more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana seized . The investigation peaked on July 9 when agents with the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team arrested the drug ring's leader, Gerald D. Dandridge, and his suspected accomplice, James Johnson, 51 of Silver Springs Shores. Fentanyl is an extremely lethal substance thats being mixed with other drugs throughout our community right now, Douglas said. Joseph Workman, 52, of 18 West Bass Street Orlando, was arrested in Osceola County and charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 14 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 14 grams, Unlawful use of Two- Way Communication Device. During the arrests, agents seized 17 kilos of cocaine and more than 250 pounds of marijuana, 20 firearms, 10 vehicles and approximately $700,000 in cash. Diaz and Rodriguez were arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail on Tuesday. 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Derrick Price, 43, of Marion Oaks was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone (x3), Selling Cocaine (x3), Possession of Cocaine (x3), Armed Trafficking in Cocaine, Armed Trafficking in Oxycodone, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Methadone, Possession of Xanax, and Resisting Arrest. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. [CDATA[ Reach out to your local police department or sheriffs office and ask for that help. Its terrifying the number of people that can die at the hands of a drug dealer that wants to turn a quick profit, he said. Detectives negotiated the purchase of $60,000 worth of fentanylon September 19. Members of a specialized strike team have taken down two large-scale drug trafficking operations in Marion County. Marcus, Pressley, and Perez are back on the streets. During their encounter, Tutt pulled a gun from under his shirt and shot at both deputies. Dandridge faces one first-degree felony charge of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both second-degree felonies. 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. Rodriguez had his bond set at $10,000 and Diaz had his bond set at $35,000. Operation Body Shot was an initiative of the sheriff's High Intensity Drug Traffic Area and culminated an 18-month, multi-agency investigation. Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be. Joel Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Crystal River, FL (34429) Today. Five people were arrested. Speaking from the county's . The undercover operation, which began in September, was carried out in coordination with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. During a routine probation check, deputies went to the home of 33-year-old Daniel Battisti - located at 11 South Washington in Beverly Hills -- and confronted him . 0:00. The facilitatorthen warned the detectives about the risk of overdosing. "This shows drug dealers here we mean business," Dean said. A second mate and a crew member have been arrested in the massive bust. According to investigators, the fentanyl was manufactured in Mexico and trafficked into the U.S. to be made into synthetic pills and sold on the streets. Danielle Campbell is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Hugo Lopez Esquivel, 33, of 54 Pinetree Road Lawrenceville, Georgia is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency $50,000 or More and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. 26. She has a prior conviction of Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine in 2006 served 3 years in prison and then was deported. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. Criminal arrest history: 1992-DUI; 2005-Cocaine Trafficking; 2006-Amphetamine or Meth 14 grams or over; Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana over 20 Grams, Keep a Public Structure for Burglary Activity and Paraphernalia. 29, 2021 at 10:55 AM PDT POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - The Polk County Sheriff's Office had a huge win with the largest meth seizure in county history. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said it was the largest fentanyl bust in the agency's history. ocala-legacy. Ortiz-Hernandez was the currier hauling the 44 pounds of meth he was arrested at Loves Truck Stop on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. I believe that if we try hard enough we can do anything, Douglas said. During the investigation, detectives identified two other suspects out of North Carolina. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. The operation also involved educating residents about highly addictive . FDOC Probation Officers visited the home of Daniel . Johnson, 518 Bahia Track Court, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and cocaine. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. We want to hear from you. 2023 FOX Television Stations, 4 people found dead, including juvenile, in Brevard County home, sheriff says, SpaceX Crew-6 launch: 'All systems are looking good' for liftoff from Florida, Sheriff: Florida man shoots own dog in head, blames it on 'intruder', FHP: Truck hauling oil overturns on I-95 in Palm Bay, Ron DeSantis reveals in memoir his one condition for getting married at Disney World, Florida House tees up concealed weapons bill, Latest tool to track Burmese pythons in Florida: GPS-fitted opossums, Florida alligator catchers say they're going into debt while trying to protect residents, The Caribbean's most expensive home just went on the market for $200M see inside, NASA pushes Crew-6 launch to early Monday as astronauts arrive on Space Coast. Five people were arrested. OCALA, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Ocala police have released a video showing a drug bust. Law enforcement seized over $1 million in cash, 12 firearms, multiple kilos of cocaine and fentanyl, and several high-end vehicles which are believed to have been purchased with money from drug . She can be reached at 732-7159 or laura.byrnes@starbanner.com. Getting that fentanyl off the street is a really big deal. Tara Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. After the deal went bad, he found his way to the hospital for treatment of his non-life threatening injuries where police were able to interview him. Hector Sanyustiz, 30 ,of 1254 Westside Drive, Winter Garden, is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Two children, ages 1 and 3, were removed from a residence and placed into DCF custody. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The high-volume of drug trafficking bought Dandridge a lifestyle flashy enough to "pop up on the radar screen." You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Through their investigation, detectives and agents learned the organized methamphetamine crime ring was responsible for the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole Counties. OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - A shooting investigation lead Ocala police to uncover an interesting family dynamic. Nicole Radank, 33, of Ocala, was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone, Possession of an Altered Firearm, Possession of Cocaine (x2), Selling Cocaine, Possession of Xanax, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Thats enough people to fill this room, he said during the press conference. When there was no answer, agents approached the metal building in the back and heard voices and doors slamming inside, as well as the odor of raw marijuana. He was previously in the Marion County jail on charges of aggravated battery, and was arrested for DUI. He was released from the Manatee County Jail on October 15 after posting a $56,500 bond. Robert Douglas, who oversees the unit comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agents. Rojas has prior convictions of: Assault on an Officer or Firefighter-1999. Court records show that the twice-divorced Dandridge has been evicted numerous times and has been the subject of several domestic violence injunctions as well as an injunction for repeated violence while dating a 20-year-old. Drugs, guns, and thousands of dollars were seized. It all stemmed from a shooting on Sunday. According to a press release from the Ocala Police Department and Marion County Sheriffs Office, employees of Clay Electric reached out to UDEST agents after they noticed an irregularity in service at a residence and, upon investigation, discovered the power was being diverted to a large metal building on the property for the purposes of growing marijuana. Ocala, Florida A drug ringleader arrested in Marion Oaks yielded weapons, drugs, and a large sum of cash. All rights reserved. Price told investigators that he began selling drugs because he could not find a job and he needed bill money. All rights reserved. FIve arrested in Ocala drug bust. Florida Gov. The long-term investigation culminated on Thursday, August 7, 2014, at approximately 5:50 a.m., when the UDEST, along with the assistance of the Marion County Sheriffs Office, and Ocala Police Department SWAT Teams, executed five (5) search warrants. He called the number of overdoses scary and said the efforts to curtail illegal drug activity wont stop. Ocala police uncover drug operation run by father and son during shooting investigation, Trial dates set for Gerhardt accused of killing Demiah Appling of Dixie County, North Central Florida Treasures: Antique Erie Fluter, Ocala police investigating yet another shooting, detectives say interviews are crucial. The organization included a network of couriers, managers, distributors and customers. Eddie Perez, 36, of Marion Oaks, was charged with Selling Oxycodone(x2), Possession of Oxycodone (x2), Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Hydrocodone, Possession of Sustanon(steroids), Possession of Viagra, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Three suspects were arrested in Florida in connection with an undercover drug trafficking bust in which officials seized 11 pounds of fentanyl manufactured in Mexico. SILVER SPRINGS SHORES Drug agents arrested one man and seized drugs, a large amount of cash and multiple guns from his home on Wednesday. Rodriguezalso told detectives he could sell them marijuana, meth and cocaine. . // Cheryl Williams Florida, Chop House Spinach Queso Dip Recipe, Articles B