Last week the U.S. Coast Guard seized what it deemed to be a whopping $1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed a haul that officials hailed as the largest drug bust in the branch's history. Joel Tapia, 30, of 2015 Adair Road, Davenport is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 14 grams, a first degree felony, mandating a three year minimum mandatory sentence; Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 14 grams; Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. 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. 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. Market data provided by Factset. 0:00. Dennis Strow of the Marion County Sheriff's Office. She is currently back in the U.S. and receiving Federal/assistance. 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. Both men are being held without bond. He was previously in the Marion County jail on charges of aggravated battery, and was arrested for DUI. All rights reserved. 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. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 38th Ave., lives in a mobile home park just west of I-75 between State Road 200 and State Road 40. the largest drug seizures in United States history," U.S. Attorney for the . The ring had been importing cocaine and marijuana from Atlanta and Volusia County and selling the drugs here. 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. Investigators searched two different homes last Friday. UDEST is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Officials said that several suspects who were directly involved with opioid overdose death investigations were arrested. Small and Daniel J. Colburn, both of Ocala; Jose Delasancha-Delgado and Feliciano perez-James of Deland; Jose Galarza-Escobar of Marietta, Ga.; and Adrian Galarza-Popoca of Atlanta, Ga. Two other men, Bryan Muse and Noah Shackleford of Kentucky, had allegedly just made a drug purchase from Dandridge to take back to Kentucky when they were arrested in Alachua County. 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. Douglas said the most important seizures involve Fentanyl, an opioid used as a pain medication and recreational drug thats frequently connected to overdoses. 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Ocala Police Department honors first African American female officer, Fire ignites inside vacant mobile home in Belleview, Pavement repairs to cause temporary lane closures on several Marion County roads, Marion County Public Schools to host Career Camp for adults, Ocala man charged with DUI after leading Marion County deputies on high-speed chase, Legends of the Fort returns to Fort King in April, tickets now on sale, Ocala Recreation and Parks Department hiring seasonal lifeguards, One hospitalized after rollover crash on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, Resident discusses lack of reliable cellphone service in Ocala, Two Ocala residents voice concerns on rising electric bills, added charges, Two more residents voice their concerns on cellphone service in Ocala/Marion County. It is comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement from the Ocala Police Department, the Marion County Sheriffs Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration and Department of Homeland Security. This may be the biggest meth bust in American history . "This poison is coming into the country across the border from Mexico, and we are going to continue our investigation into the Mexican drug cartels who are killing innocent people," Judd said in a statement. 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. Godoy is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. To take it one step further, anyone with a criminal history to include drug abuse or alcohol abuse may not even be eligible for public assistance of any kind. FOX 51 Gainesville. Sheriff Grady Judd said, when certain individuals make national TV appearances and tell the public that drug dealers are not that bad or the offences are not that serious, they are not telling the truth. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Fred Hiers. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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 UDEST is made up of members from the Sheriff's Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Ocala Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Below are some of the significant recent UDEST arrests involving illegal narcotics and other crimes: Ocala man with no license arrested after fleeing from MCSO corporal, National Weather Services SKYWARN Storm Spotter class returns to Ocala next week, Applications for Ocala Future Leaders Academy being accepted through March 31, Dunnellon police seek person of interest in theft of vehicle from Walmart parking lot, Ocala Police Department honors first African American female officer, Fire ignites inside vacant mobile home in Belleview, Pavement repairs to cause temporary lane closures on several Marion County roads, Marion County Public Schools to host Career Camp for adults, Resident discusses lack of reliable cellphone service in Ocala, Two Ocala residents voice concerns on rising electric bills, added charges, Two more residents voice their concerns on cellphone service in Ocala/Marion County. One suspect was in the U.S. illegally. Both men are due back in court on October 19 at 9 a.m., according to jail records. Lopez is charged with Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, a life felony; Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency, $100,000 or more, first degree felony; Possession of a Place or Structure used for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, a second degree felony. FDOC Probation Officers visited the home of Daniel Battisti, located at 11 South Washington, Beverly Hills, as part of a routine probation check. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Johnson, 518 Bahia Track Court, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and cocaine. Investigators identified the organizations source of methamphetamine supply as Javier Flores, aka: El Don. Flores resides in southern California and managed large scale methamphetamine shipments to Lakeland, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, and Las Vegas, Nevada through southern California from Mexico. Local law enforcement agencies seized 275 marijuana plants while investigating power theft at a northeast Ocala residence this week. Drug ringleader busted in Marion Oaks. Drugs, guns, and thousands of dollars were seized. GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. A teenager from California was arrested in Clay County for trafficking a record-breaking amount of illegal narcotics into the area. ]. Rodriguezalso told detectives he could sell them marijuana, meth and cocaine. Possible federal charges are also pending. 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. This month the DEA made the biggest meth bust in American history: 2200 pounds of meth, nearly 900 pounds of cocaine, and 13 pounds of heroin. The cocaine has a street value of $2 million. Operation Body Shot delivered more than a one-two punch: In all, there have been 11 arrests, with more pending. The organization included a network of couriers, managers, distributors and customers. 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. He also has a history with law enforcement. FIve arrested in Ocala drug bust. Millard K. Ives of the Star-Banner contributed to this report. Marion County Sheriff's Office Makes Major Drug Bust In Ocala. 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. Castro Solache is in the country illegally and has a Border Patrol hold in the Polk County Jail. (DEA). Also known as J. Felix Mondragonnunez and Duque Nunez Gonzalo, among other aliases, Mondragon was arrested for conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and is being held on $500,000 bond. Lisa Bonugli (street nickname Methany) was also arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Reach out for help, he said. Legal Statement. Tyler Scott is wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine, Sale of Methamphetamine and Own or Rent Structure for Knowingly Selling Drugs. 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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. of cocaine valued at over 1.5 million dollars floating in the #FloridaKeys. The UDEST commander cited the recent arrest of 26-year-old Noah Steven Francis, of Summerfield, as one of the biggest his team has made. #breakingnews #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. Castro Solache and Mondragon are charged with conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl. Once probation officers located illegal drugs, they relayed the information to detectives, who then secured the residence and obtained a search warrant. Laura Byrnes covers the State Road 200 Corridor for The Leader. 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