He said during a multitude of investigations, they seized more than 300 marijuana plants, an additional 300 pounds of marijuana packed for distribution, more than one kilogram of concentrated THC derivatives, one and a half kilos of cocaine, one kilo of heroin, 36 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, three kilograms of Fentanyl, 21 guns and more than $180,000 in cash. A second mate and a crew member have been arrested in the massive bust. Criminal Arrest History: August 16, 1995 arrest for Retail Theft, by the Polk County Sheriffs Office, November 20, 1995 arrest for Aggravated Battery and Retail Theft, by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office, July 27, 1997 arrest for Failure to Appear, and Operation of a Motor Vehicle without a License, by the Orange County Sheriffs Office, May 28, 2003 arrest for Battery, by the Polk County Sheriffs Office, July 17, 2006 arrest for Trafficking Methamphetamine over 14 Grams, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While License Suspended, by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office, May 29, 209 Criminal Registration, by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office and October 3, 2013 arrest for Trafficking Methamphetamine Over 14 Grams, Child Neglect, Possession of a Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office. 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. Sheriff Grady Judd promises that he will find the remaining fugitives and lock them up from civilization. According to the Florida Department of Corrections, he was most recently released from prison in December 2003 after serving eight months on a racketeering violation charge. He is pleased with the overall outcome of the investigation but wants answers. He was released from the Manatee County Jail on October 15 after posting a $56,500 bond. During the investigation, detectives identified two other suspects out of North Carolina. 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. Marion County Sheriff's Office Makes Major Drug Bust In Ocala. Five people were arrested. Researchers from the University of Arizona, in collaboration with Stony Brook University and Wake Forest School of Medicine, analyzed blood samples from COVID patient Florida - In May, Gov. Both men were taken into custody on October 12 and told detectives they were being paid to collect money for the fentanyl drug dealer in Mexico. UDEST is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Operation Body Shot delivered more than a one-two punch: In all, there have been 11 arrests, with more pending. The drug operation was being run by Ricky Kirkland and his son. Join the New Times community and help support 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. Detectives negotiated the purchase of $60,000 worth of fentanylon September 19. Six drug dealers, four men and two women, were arrested following an United Drug Enforcement Strike Team investigation. In the first quarter of 2021, the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team arrested over 80 individuals with charges ranging from possession to drug trafficking, said Capt. 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 . Ocala Post - June 18, 2019 55 Beverly Hills/Crystal River On June 14th, 2019, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office Tactical Impact Unit (TIU), in partnership with the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) Probation Office, completed the largest drug seizure in the history of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Five people were arrested. Maj. There had been a number of burglaries in the area. RELATED STORY: Ocala police investigating yet another shooting, detectives say interviews are crucial. Rojas is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency $100,000 or more, Possession of a Structure Used for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime, a third degree felony. Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken spoke about this drug epidemic in the city during the press conference. Officials said that several suspects who were directly involved with opioid overdose death investigations were arrested. While investigators were on scene, another team of probation officers and detectives executed a search warrant at 726 N. Griffith Ave, Crystal River. He was previously in the Marion County jail on charges of aggravated battery, and was arrested for DUI. Citrus County Sheriff's Office makes biggest drug bust in county history. Images: 9 arrested in Ocala drug bust. local news and culture, The #Florida @USCG Cutter Valiant took down a narco sub carrying 12k lbs of cocaine in the #EasternPacific, cutting approximately $165 mil from smuggler pockets.More info and photos here: https://t.co/mSb28nTIzF pic.twitter.com/hS5kRVtV3f, Someone was dreaming of a white ChristmasApproximately 74 lbs of cocaine was found by a fisherman about 15 miles offshore and south of Sugarloaf Key in federal waters.All packages were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol. Northwest Florida / 1 day ago. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The 238-pound, 5-foot, 11-inch Dandridge sports a variety of tatoos, including the word "outlaw" on his stomach and "in memory of W.D. the largest drug seizures in United States history," U.S. Attorney for the . They were charged with marijuana cultivation, while Diaz was additionally charged with trafficking in cannabis. 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. Mondragon was released on bond on October 17. A search of court records did not return any prior arrests for Pressley. Market data provided by Factset. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Joshua Widdows is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 14 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. All rights reserved. Now retired, Deputy Paul Fairbanks was shot three times, and Deputy Mike Braswell was shot four times. Castro Solache told detectives he and the supplier in Mexico wanted to establish a portion of their drug trafficking operation in Polk County and that he was going to move to the county and take responsibility for handling operations for the Mexican cartels. Eugenia Lopez, 29, of 402 Wildlife Trail Lakeland is charged with Possession of a Place or Structure being Used for the Sale of a Controlled Substance. Today, November 3, 2021, Chick-fil-A is, Citrus Springs Middle School teacher remains behind bars, Dunnellon -- Citrus Springs Middle School teacher, Jeffrey Brake, was still behind bars on August 20, following his arrest. It all stemmed from a shooting on Sunday. He was convicted in 1997 of running a $3 million drug distribution network that featured a number of family members and his girlfriend. It all stemmed from a shooting on Sunday. Out of 25 suspects in the organization, 11 are currently receiving Federal/public assistance, and one suspect, Ma-Concepcion Lopez, that had previously been deported, is back in the United States illegally, and is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Britain health officials then notified the CDC. 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. // ]]> 2013 Ocala Post, a subsidiary of Jaguar Media Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. 2023 www.ocala.com. Sources said the group has also been known to host illegal poker games with other associates. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. 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. 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. This single opportunity to work in cooperation with the Florida Department of Corrections resulted in nearly a million dollars worth of drugs and guns taken off the streets of Citrus County., Citrus County Sheriffs Office |Citrus County Clerk of the Court |Citrus County Fire Rescue |Citrus County Property Appraiser | Inverness Fire Rescue | Citrus County Tax Collector | Citrus County Child Advocacy | Citrus County We can help you take control away from the drug dealers and in so doing maybe save your own life and the life of somebody else.. 14th St. "This is a good day for Marion County," said Marion County Sheriff Ed Dean, standing alongside several tables covered with bales of marijuana and bricks of cocaine, Uzis, AK-47s, AR-15s, handguns and cash - part of the payoff from the weekend sweep. Law enforcement seize 275 marijuana plants in northeast Ocala drug bust By Staff Report September 15, 2021 Local law enforcement agencies seized 275 marijuana plants while investigating power theft at a northeast Ocala residence this week. "This shows drug dealers here we mean business," Dean said. Criminal Arrest History: DUI in 2013. As a matter of fact, theyd be calling for the sheriffs job and the police chiefs job.. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Ocala Post. [CDATA[ August 8, 2014. Drugs, guns, and thousands of dollars were seized. Mary Pressley, 23, of Ocala, was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone and Possession of Cocaine. Speaking from the county's . Law enforcement arrests 83 people in Marion County involved in drug trafficking, Trial dates set for Gerhardt accused of killing Demiah Appling of Dixie County, North Central Florida Treasures: Antique Erie Fluter, Ocala police uncover drug operation run by father and son during shooting investigation. Crystal River, FL (34429) Today. Local law enforcement agencies seized 275 marijuana plants while investigating power theft at a northeast Ocala residence this week. Pressleys name was not named in the search warrant; she was just an added bonus that happened to be present due to the fact she is in a relationship with Marcus. Price told investigators that he began selling drugs because he could not find a job and he needed bill money. Drug ringleader busted in Marion Oaks. Also, on Tuesday, March 18th, detectives arrested 13 suspects, seized tens of thousands of dollars, seven vehicles, approximately 100 weapons, bullet-proof vests and thousands of rounds of ammunition. . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Ocala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth, Sheriff outraged: illegal immigrant drug dealers on food stamps, See Attachment for Criminal Arrest History, Rebekah Jones created revenge site, posted nudes of, A police report obtained by Ocala Post from Tallahassee shows that Rebekah Jones, the woman who claimed, (UNCUT VIDEO) Florida woman gets naked, caused, [Last edited on June 4, 2021, at 1:03 p.m., to include uncut video.] Updated: Apr. (Polk County Sheriff's Office). The update was supposed to apply several security fixes, but, instead, the update caused numerous Two malicious Android apps with over 1.5 million combined downloads, one of which has been on the app store for two years, have been 2013 Citrus Gazette, a subsidiary of Jaguar Media Holdings, LLC. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. Rojas was in the process of obtaining his U.S. citizenship and is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Reporter. Start at 9:30 if you want to go straight to the Sheriff express his anger over illegal immigrant drug dealers on welfare. He also has a history with law enforcement. Miami's independent source of (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A drug bust in Polk County that public assistance officials should have answers for and that has Florida residents, including law enforcement officials fuming with anger, is one of the largest in Central Florida History in regards to the . Director of UDEST, Captain Jason Douglas said he wont stop. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and the Microsoft released Windows 10 update KB4549951 on April 14. Local facilitator Ignacio Rodriguez showed up to the meeting with undercover detectives with two kilos of fentanyl hidden in a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal box and three kilos concealed in a yellow Igloo cooler. FIve arrested in Ocala drug bust. News. 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. This search led to the arrest of Jeffery Conner for five counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Both are in the Alachua County Jail on charges of trafficking in cocaine. As a result of an investigation that began October 2013, on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, Polk County Sheriffs Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force detectives, along with members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Orlando District Office, Florida Attorney Generals Office of Statewide Prosecution, and Lake County Sheriffs Office detectives, identified 25 suspects involved in an organized drug trafficking enterprise. 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. Do you think Florida should drug test welfare recipients or prevent felons that have been convicted of alcohol or drug related offenses from receiving assistance? Lisa Bonugli (street nickname Methany) was also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Very big bust, very, very happy with our Major Crimes Unit, UDEST, and were excited to do more of this for Ocala, OPD Public Information Officer, Corie Byrd said. Undercover detectives arranged to purchase fentanyl from an unidentified source in Mexico for $24,000 per kilo. Detectives negotiated the purchase of $ 60,000 worth of fentanylon September 19 ] & gt 2013... 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