ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- The Escambia County Sheriff's Office announced a significant drug arrest Thursday that they say should help reduce violent crimes in the area. Nebraska might not be among the states with the most opioid abuse, but apparently, its a way station along the route to those places. Sheriff calls for community action. It is the 4th most powerful Mexican drug cartel operating in the United States. Anyone can read what you share. Polk County Sheriff. by: Ashlyn Williams. October 20th, 2020 10:15 am, Allan Mitchell on This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. 13 US Cities That Are Crowded By Mexican Drug Cartels. Pompano Beach, FL 33062 (954) 945-7520. August 31st, 2021 10:07 am, Cwchill on Mr. Fernandez is charged with having supervised and managed the drug smuggling network in its importation and distribution efforts, while Mr. Barco, who owns and operates the American Tours Travel Agency in Elizabeth, is accused of supervising the distribution of cocaine in New Jersey. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. ECSO seizes $2.2 million of powdered cocaine largest in recent department history, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, 12 vehicles (including luxury vehicles such a Porsche and an Audi). The Escambia County. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Pensacola News Journal, April 29, 2006. Another 2018 haul is one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Kingpins can make billions when their drugs hit the street, but the authorities do their best to prevent that from happening. However, the majority of Vos assets that were seizedby law enforcement came from a Pensacola property on Klondyke Road. A 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. Chinese nationals aren't allowed to transfer their wealth outside of China, so they are willing to pay Mexican drug cartels a premium for the cartels' US dollar cash holdings in exchange for RMB payments in China. ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WEAR) Three men are behind bars after a month long drug investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office narcotics unit. Which Politicians Had Terrible Diseases Like John McCain. 5 on the list to read about the U.S. Coast Guards big bust in 2007. 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. The tunnel police found in California was 600 yards long, had lights and a working elevator, and contained 32 tons of marijuana worth roughly $65 million. 2 Alabama rallies, beats rival Auburn 90-85 in, 2 hurt, dog rescued in crash on Schillinger Rd. August 29th, 2021 11:25 am, Michal Payton on Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is the youngest of the top 6 Mexican drug cartels. 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. The largest marijuana distributor to ever peddle pot in the history of Escambia County has been arrested, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. August 26th, 2021 6:51 pm, A.W.Thompson on 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. "We're committed to stopping the ones who are bringing this stuff in. The largest marijuana distributorto ever peddle pot in the history of Escambia County has been arrested, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. Here's why. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. 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. Gun crime:Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. Moonrocks are apparently to help you go to the moon, if youre into that sort of thing. The SWAT team. One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. Drug smuggling knows no age, and this August 2018 bust is proof. We know what youre thinking Canada isnt the United States, so how come it shows up on our countdown? The sheriff also wanted this investigation to serve as "a Christmas gift" for the citizens of Escambia by ridding the streets of lethal drugs and weapons. One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Sandshaker&oldid=1098279589, This page was last edited on 15 July 2022, at 03:00. 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. . Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. Gulf Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses Detroit as a major hub. A cocaine/heroin/fentanyl mixture weighed in at 189.5 grams. Mr. Dumont said the leaders of the ring were Carlos Fernandez, 32 years old, of Miami and David Barco, 32, of Elizabeth. 1 on the countdown. 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". October 20th, 2020 2:50 pm, Lester on In total, deputies seized a half kilogram of cocaine, under 20 grams of marijuana, a gun that had been reported stolen, approximately $6,900 in cash, the 20 pounds of methamphetamine and 37 grams of fentanyl. "This is a major drug dealer who distributes to people throughout the county," Simmons said. Forget talking about just drug dealers, Pablo Escobar is one of the richest criminals who ever lived. "What they do is take marijuana and dip it in THC [oil] and it enhances the euphoria, he said. 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. 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. Florida Gov. 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. All of those involved in the ring are Colombian nationals, according to the authorities. The SWAT team made entry to the home after knocking and announcing who they were. The individuals were suspected in trafficking cocaine from Miami into the Pensacola area. The sheriff added that further arrests of more peoplein connection toVos operations also could occur pending the investigation's completion. We have no idea what the Mexican drug cartels do with all that RMB and how they smuggle all that cash out of China. "The DEA reports that 2 milligrams of fentanyl are lethal," Simmons said at the press conference. He and his Medellin cartel cohorts made an estimated $420 million each weeksupplying 80% of the cocaine in the United States in the 1980s. A DEA surveillance operation tracked two men, which led authorities to a Bronx apartment with $8 million worth of heroin and other drug paraphernalia inside. August 26th, 2021 6:14 pm, J.Larry Seale on Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. See the article in its original context from. 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. 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. Escambia County EMS crews responded to 1,095 overdose calls in 2021. 9 Texas a B12 title, Kevin Durant scores 23 points in Charlotte in Suns, Baylor women showing they can win, even without Big, Meet the Gulf Coast CW Host: Theo Williams, WWE Hall of Famer The Honky Tonk Man joins Gulf Coast, Rich Harmon from CWs The 100 and the final season, Pensacon 2023: Highlights from the Gulf Coasts biggest, The Young Sheldon | Shazam: Fury of the Gods Sweepstakes. In case of a tie, we rank the city with more powerful cartels higher. 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. "This investigation began because of a series of violent crimes we had earlier this. Jalisco New Generation Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses New York City as a major hub. "That means we had enough lethal fentanyl to kill 800,000 people. 13-6b (M FIRST DEGREE) #2 ADDED PENDING. Our ranking methodology is quite simple. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. The others remain wanted. When you deal marijuana at this level, violence will ensue and thats why you can imagine they had the 32 firearms, all this equipment and were talking about several million dollars worth of assets that we have seized, are in the processing of seizing or will seize in the following months as we continue this investigation.. The Corsair. Drug smuggling isnt a very wholesome father and son activity, but here we are. The bar opened in 1977 and is credited with creating Pensacola's own drink, The Bushwacker. "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. Police discovered more than 300 pounds of drugs worth $1 million during a traffic stop in southwestern Arizona. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. August 27th, 2021 1:29 pm, Chris on Operation Sandshaker was a three-year investigation, between 2000 and 2003 in Pensacola, Florida that resulted in the arrest of more than thirty residents, many of them respected individuals within the community. 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. The Sandwich Shop was not in operation prior to the hurricane. Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. We need to know about the issues and how we can help," Bruno said. Related: ECSO seizes $2.2 million of powdered cocaine largest in recent department history. 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. ': Corey Marioneaux Jr. speaks out after being cleared in Pensacola SWAT case, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Many are first-time or casual users. Florida's crackdown on pill mills has tightened the supply. Press Release. Next: A bust that saved the equivalent of 26 million lives. The biggest raids happened in the 20th century, but check out No. Los Zetas Cartel is the least influential of the 6 Mexican cartels, but this doesn't mean that its members aren't dangerous people. Drug and alcohol addiction is a nationwide epidemic, please reach out if you or a loved one is suffering. ballistic gel dummy with bones. February 22, 2023. Sheriff calls for community action. Nine of thoseproperties were located in Escambia County while the two others were located in neighboring Santa Rosa County. Rhode Island has some of the loosest marijuana laws in the country, but you avoid trouble only when you have a little bit. . Drug trafficking is probably the most lucrative illegal money maker, which the richest drug dealers of all time can attest to. 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. Updated: Sep 22, 2022 / 05:30 AM EDT. A total of 63 suspects have been identified, and about half have been arrested. October 20th, 2020 10:29 am, Paul on Authorities learned about the ring after Union County police arrested one of the members and he became an informer. ", 2021 fentanyl statistics:Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. Attorney General Kimmelman praised the cooperation among the law enforcement agencies involved, including Federal, state, county and local police departments. Next: Not the kind of father and son activity most people do. Well, a 2011 raid in San Diego originated the idea. Authorities saymore charges are pending and will be added to Smith'scourt records at the completion of the ECSO'sfull investigation into the drugs that were allegedly found in Smith's possession. These cartels primarily employ Mexican nationals to oversee their distribution operations in the United States. August 26th, 2021 8:16 pm, Joshua jenkins on 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. on The illegal narcotics worth. 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. PENSACOLA, Fla (WKRG) The Escambia County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit and SWAT Team arrested two men at a home at 2987 Michael Drive and they're facing several drug charges. Sylmar is something of a sleepy town northwest of Los Angeles, but its the site of what might be the biggest drug bust ever. October 20th, 2020 8:00 am, Go Army!!! 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 all happened less than 400 feet from Pleasant Hill Baptist Church which is an additional charge because it was within 1,000 feet. At the time of his apprehension, authorities seized a treasure trove of illicit substances and ill-gotten gains that included the following: The seizure of his assets was the largest asset seizure in Escambia County history. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Gun crime:Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. The business operation was closed on September 16, 2004, due to Hurricane Ivan. $500 million Pacific Ocean drug bust 105 ton marijuana drug bust 12 ton Coast Guard drug bust 13.8 . The seizure also helped police shut down business specializing in selling marijuana horticulture supplies. The jars on the left contain what are called moonrocks, Simmons said, pointing at one picture. "I can tell you, marijuana will be a. 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. 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. Here are our rankings using DEA's data: Los Zetas Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses New Orleans as a major hub. During a routine traffic stop near Kearney, Neb., state troopers found 118 pounds of fentanyl, which is enough to kill 26 million people when you consider two milligrams is a potentially fatal dose. In other news: ECSO deputy cleared of use of deadly force in fatal shooting on West La Rua Street. August 30th, 2021 9:42 pm, 429SCJ on Authorities seized 46 pounds of pot and $300,000 in cash in 2014 during a big bust in the smallest state in America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists fentanyl as being up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is also the most significant drug trafficking organization in the United States. 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. 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. Posted: Jun 10, 2021 / 04:59 PM EDT. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Channel 3's Rebekah Castor is live with the. August 26th, 2021 9:46 pm, No Excuses on October 20th, 2020 2:19 am. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. August 26th, 2021 7:29 pm, Get em all on Thats what Ill tell you.. 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, DAVID FRANKLIN on August 30th, 2021 9:20 pm, Don Dixon Jr on North Platte Woman Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Crime. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. We're committed to stopping the ones who are selling it and opening up their homes for this type of dangerous behavior.". August 30th, 2021 1:53 pm, Dreama Brazwell on Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, No. They were pretty much aone-stop shop for high-quality marijuana, Simmons said. Explore more on Drug Bust. Find Drug Bust Latest News, Videos & Pictures on Drug Bust and see latest updates, news, information from NDTV.COM. That's enough to conceivably kill every person in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County and Walton 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. A major source of the cocaine supply into Pensacola and Northwest Florida has been "knocked out", according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Thirty-one arrested, two wanted in undercover drug bust by: Ashlyn Williams. Report: Escambia County crime rate down nearly 10% in 2021, rapes and assaults increased, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "I just want to say merry Christmas to Escambia County residents, certainly those that live in this area, and I want to say how proud I am of our narcotics unit and our partners here locally," Simmons said while concluding the press conference. In the world of drug enforcement, it pays to be patient. Mr. Barco is also accused of collecting money for the organization and transmitting it back to Colombia. Next: The biggest bust this city has ever seen. Here's the latest bracketology predictions. Colin Warren-Hicks can be reached at colinwarrenhicks@pnj.com or 850-435-8680. Disclosure: 18 Biggest Drug Busts In U.S. History is originally published at Insider Monkey. Nhan Thanh Vo, 38, was charged with one. "Restaurateur faces drug . The ECSO began investigating Vo four months ago. We ranked each city by the number of different Mexican cartels that use as a distribution hub. Sheriff calls for community action. CJNG continues to be the Mexican TCO with second-most widespread national influence. Roughly enough Heroin to supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month. Florida drug bust seized enough fentanyl to 'kill everyone within 18 counties' by: Dylan Abad. That's enough to conceivably kill every person in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County and Walton County. October 20th, 2020 7:31 am, Oversight on The cocaine ring was centered on a small bar, the Sandshaker, on the island town of Pensacola Beach.[2][3]. 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 different homes on Diego Circle, West Lloyd Street, Chapel Street and West Jackson Street. One of the biggest drug busts Florida has ever seen was straight out of a movie. The U.S. Coast Guard has been involved in plenty of massive drug seizures in its history, but one from 2007 is one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Disclosure: 13 US Cities That Are Crowded By Mexican Drug Cartels is originally published at Insider Monkey. Next: We remain in the 20th century the rest of the way. 22 TCU wins 75-73 to deny No. August 27th, 2021 11:29 am, Green rocket on FDLE report:Report: Escambia County crime rate down nearly 10% in 2021, rapes and assaults increased. All the smaller busts weve discussed so far happened in the 21st century, and were guessing its because the kingpins and cartels got tired of all the mammoth seizures late in the 20th century. [citation needed]. Acting on a tip, authorities searched a house and discovered nearly 18,000 pounds of wrapped cocaine estimated to be worth $1 billion. Andre Earl Johns, 22, was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school property; trespassing on school . "The DEA reports that 2 milligrams of fentanyl are lethal," Simmons said at the press conference. One of the biggest drug busts Alabamas ever seen featured a father and his 15-year old son towing 115 pounds of crystal meth worth $3 million through Baldwin County. "Feds: Chavez a drug kingpin." Gulf Breeze News, December 13, 2007. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia deputies, Pensacola SWAT partner in huge Christmas drug bust, Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. Juarez Cartel is also the only Mexican cartel that uses El Paso as a major hub. But I think its safe to say that for Mr. Vo, his days of living large, fancy-car driving, gold-jewelry wearing, lavish-lifestyle living, his Ric Flair days are over, Simmons said. One California raid in 2014 remains one of the biggest drug busts the U.S. has ever seen. Speaking from the county's Emergency Management . The Georgia State Patrol pulled over a car that contained drugs. Los Zetas Cartel is also the only Mexican cartel that uses Dallas as a major hub. Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. BLO activities remain more dispersed throughout the United States, with heavier concentrations in areas with large heroin markets," said the DEA. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons told the News Journal that the local area experiences an opioid-related overdose on an almost daily basis. They also found $4,557 in cash inside the house. PENSACOLA, Fla. ( WKRG) A man is in jail after the largest marijuana bust in Escambia County history. Well, the Drug Enforcement Agency aided the Edmonton police force as it made itslargest cash seizure to that point. Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. Click to skip ahead and see the list of top 5 cities that are crowded by Mexican drug cartels . "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. Mexican drug cartels also convert wealthy Chinese nationals' Renminbi (RMB) to US dollars at a lower rate than the prevailing market rate. A month of surveillance and a coordinated law enforcement effort produced one of the biggest drug busts weve ever seen. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking.
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