Many Florida officials and legislators feel that Florida should follow Mississippis lead, however some residents are not convinced it is the right move and fear it will open the door for profiling. Experts say if a recipient has nothing to hide; then what would a welfare recipient need to be worried about? 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. Strow estimates the ring has been responsible for distributing 20 kilograms, or about 40 pounds, of cocaine each week in Marion County. There are programs available that we can help you save your own life. Strow estimates the ring has been responsible for distributing 20 kilograms, or about. Sources said the group has also been known to host illegal poker games with other associates. He was convicted in 1997 of running a $3 million drug distribution network that featured a number of family members and his girlfriend. Criminal Arrest History includes Burglary; Grand Theft; Criminal Mischief, Theft of Fire Extinguisher, Burglary Conveyance, Shoplifting; 2003-Felony Criminal Mischief; 2004-Felony Criminal Mischief. independent local journalism in Miami. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. That's exactly what investigators were hoping would happen when they KO'd the largest drug trafficking ring in Marion County's history. 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. On Tuesday, March 18, 2014, investigators intercepted 44 pounds of methamphetamine at Loves Truck Stop, 1800 Florida 559, in Polk City. Dandridge was reportedly there to pay suppliers for marijuana that had been dropped off at his home off Southwest 80th Avenue, at 7848 N.W. Starks is being held on $121,000 bond while Price is being held on $135,500 bond. During the investigation, detectives identified two other suspects out of North Carolina. During their encounter, Tutt pulled a gun from under his shirt and shot at both deputies. 0:00. . Ocala, Florida -- On June 1, 2021,, FDA: Rat meat being served as chicken in Chinese and, Have you ever wondered what rat meat would taste like? UDEST is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. FIve arrested in Ocala drug bust. Douglas said its no secret that Marion County has been experiencing an increase in overdoses and his team decided it was time to go after the drug traffickers responsible. The organization included a network of couriers, managers, distributors and customers. Demasco Candid Lugo, 30, of 908 Ruth Avenue, Lakeland is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams. In addition to the thousands of dollars the dealers were making by selling drugs, they were also collecting welfare benefits. Mary Pressley, 23, of Ocala, was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone and Possession of Cocaine. August 8, 2014. Rodriguez showed up to the meeting in Polk County with five of the six kilograms. It all stemmed from a shooting on Sunday. 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 purest form of Meth, which is ICE. 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. Five people were arrested. At the time of his arrest in 1997, authorities had 250 audiotapes of wiretapped telephone conversations between Dandridge and his suppliers and distributors. Mario Alberto Castro Solache, 29, and Pedro Mondragon, 27, drove from North Carolina to Polk County on October 11 to meet with undercover detectives about another fentanyl sale. He also faces a July 25 arraignment. Market data provided by Factset. The Polk County Sheriff's Office had received information that an international drug trafficking organization was trafficking fentanyl from Mexico to the city of Bradenton and then to Polk County. 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. The busts were part of Operation Life Saver, an ongoing effort by the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) targeting drug traffickers. Joel Tapia 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. Market data provided by Factset. Humane Society |Citrus County Animal Services |Florida Travel | Ocala Post. He was previously in the Marion County jail on charges of aggravated battery, and was arrested for DUI. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and the Microsoft released Windows 10 update KB4549951 on April 14. According to Sheriff Grady. 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. Jason Andreo James, 41, faces several . The uncut street value of this amount is approximately $2 million, while the total distributed value is approximately $8 million. With a search warrant in hand, detectives, along with probation officers, entered the home and found 167 grams of methamphetamine, 100.2 grams of cocaine, 691 tablets of prescription drug cyclobenzaprine, 89 tablets of prescription drug tizanidine, 60 pills of MDMA/Molly, 1,960 grams of leaf cannabis and 30.1 pounds of processed cannabis wax, totaling 34.3 pounds of cannabis. Danielle Campbell is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. RELATED STORY: Ocala police investigating yet another shooting, detectives say interviews are crucial. The Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team initiated an investigation that spanned three (3) months. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. On Tuesday, agents of the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) arrested 49-year-old Alexis Diaz of North West Palm and 60-year-old Rigoberto Rodriguez of Miami after being called to investigate power theft at 6659 NE 9th Street Road. 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 quantity of the drug was enough to kill 2.7 million people. Legal Statement. 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. "We've made some large seizures, but nothing like this," Strow said. 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. 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. We can help you take control and power away from the drug dealer and in so doing, maybe save your own life or the life of somebody else, Balken said. Millard K. Ives of the Star-Banner contributed to this report. He called the number of overdoses scary and said the efforts to curtail illegal drug activity wont stop. Images: 9 arrested in Ocala drug bust. OCALA, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Ocala police have released a video showing a drug bust. Ocala, Florida -- On June 1, 2021,, FDA: Rat meat being served as chicken in Chinese and, Have you ever wondered what rat meat would taste like? Javier Flores, between 35-40 years of age and known resident of California is wanted for Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency $100,000 or More, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. ]. Become a member to support the independent voice of South Florida Drugs, guns, and thousands of dollars were seized. Widdows and Scott bought Meth from Rojas and in turn were selling the meth on the streets of Polk County. There are also plans to hand over those cases to the Office of the State Attorney after each investigation is done, with the intention of securing manslaughter indictments. He said since OPD started tracking drugs in the community in 2017, just in Ocala proper, police have responded to roughly 900 over dose incidents. Reach out for help, he said. 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. Marion County Sheriff's Office Makes Major Drug Bust In Ocala. Britain health officials then notified the CDC. Investigators also learned Lopez and Flores consulted a Voodoo priest who would provide predictions, prophecies and readings regarding the organizations decisions and welfare. While Dandridge was the "big guy" in Marion County, others, such as J. Felix Nunez Mondragon, were merely employees. 0:00. Criminal Arrest History: Assault, Battery on LEO, Resisting without Violence and Deprive Officer of Weapon , 2004 Cocaine possession w/intent to sell, Purchase Narcotics 2007. The search also netted the largest cannabis wax and MDMA seizures in CCSO history. Tara Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Published July 4, 2018. Battisti, who is on parole for grand theft from the state of New York, and is allowed in Florida by agreement of an interstate compact, was charged with the following: Possession of a Place to Manufacture a Controlled Substance when a Minor is Present or Resides there, Possession of Manufacturing Equipment, Possession of Paraphernalia, Trafficking in Cannabis, Trafficking in MDMA, Trafficking in Cocaine, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Sell Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Sell MDMA, Possession with Intent to Sell Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Sell Cannabis. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. A utility trailer stolen out of Orlando was recovered at this address, and further investigation is being completed to determine if additional charges will be brought to the pair. All rights reserved. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The operation also involved educating residents about highly addictive . Antifreeze and hand sanitizer are not the same thing, How to bypass Floridas unemployment online waiting queue, Major issues with latest Windows 10 update, especially for teachers and students, Two camera apps removed from Google Play, consumers should immediately delete them, I-75 northbound lanes closed following fatal crash, Letter to the Editor: Stop allowing Crystal River to be destroyed, Deputy drives his car into a retention ditch, Bright Beginnings Learning Academy & Preschool is Now Enrolling new students, hurry before seats are full, Do not call 911 to report people setting off fireworks, not an emergency and its legal, Crystal River teen arrested, attempted to sell stolen gun via Snapchat. -. Reporter. Sanyustiz is currently receiving Federal/public assistance, Laura Caton, 35, of 2718 Sample Street, Kissimmee, Caton 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. Ortiz-Hernandez was the currier hauling the 44 pounds of meth he was arrested at Loves Truck Stop on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. 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 . To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletter HERE and receive news straight to your email every morning. Both men are being held without bond. Voodo Meth Flowchart [Click to enlarge or preview slide show]Polk County, Florida This investigation directly impacts Central Florida as a whole. 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. We want to hear from you. 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. (Fox News). Crystal River, FL (34429) Today. When police were investigating on Monday, they found what they believed to be drug activity, and they were right. Bryan Cumberbatch, 31, of 1541 Goodyear Avenue, Lakeland, is wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine, Sell Methamphetamine, Own or Rent Structure/Vehicle Known to Sell Drugs, a second degree felony and Possession/Use Narcotic Paraphernalia. There were 16.5 tons of the drug found in . Marion County Sheriff's Office Makes Major Drug Bust In Ocala. Godoy is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. 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. Operation Body Shot was an initiative of the sheriff's High Intensity Drug Traffic Area and culminated an 18-month, multi-agency investigation. Major drug dealer arrested, more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana seized . All rights reserved. The Obama administration has also warned that illegals should not be deported, and be given the same benefits as United States citizens, something officials are not willing to abide by or tolerate. If convicted, he faces up to 105 years in prison. OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Agents with the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) announced Wednesday that they have seized more than 300 marijuana plants, plus an additional 300 packaged marijuana products. 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. Criminal arrest history includes DUI-2000, DWLSR-2007, False name to a LEO- 2003, 2007. NOW PLAYING ABOVE. It reduced overdoes deaths and it really keeps our citizens healthy to keep that off the streets. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. There have been dozens of posts in regards to hand sanitizer(s) and pets. 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. He also has a history with law enforcement. Florida Gov. Reach out to your local police department, your sheriffs office, ask for that help. Undercover detectives arranged to purchase fentanyl from an unidentified source in Mexico for $24,000 per kilo. Ocala Post. Criminal Arrest History: DUI in 2013. Fentanyl is an extremely lethal substance thats being mixed with other drugs throughout our community right now, Douglas said. OCALA, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Ocala police have released a video showing a drug bust. The drug operation was being run by Ricky Kirkland and his son. Great Investigation by OPD Major Crimes! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. Possible federal charges are also pending. Sheriff Judd is calling for a federal investigation into why illegals and felons that deal in millions of dollars in drugs are able to get a free ride on law abiding citizens tax dollars. 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. Sheriff Judd wants to know how an illegal Mexican of whom is a convicted felon was able to cross over the border making reentry into the United States, travel to Florida, then walk into a public assistance office where she was able to obtain welfare. Six drug dealers, four men and two women, were arrested following an United Drug Enforcement Strike Team investigation. Mondragon, 34, of 600 S.W. DRUG DEALER ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH FLORIDA MAN'S FENTANYL OVERDOSE DEATH, 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. Derrick Price was released from jail on August 9, 2014, at 5:17 a.m. [UPDATED On January 28, 2016, at 9:57p.m.]. Recently, Eric Holder and President Obama announced they want law enforcement agencies to be lenient on drug dealers and individuals arrested for drug offences. 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. // ]]> Ocala, Florida A drug ringleader arrested in Marion Oaks yielded weapons, drugs, and a large sum of cash. 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.
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