The quantity of the drug was enough to kill 2.7 million people. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. 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. Rinaldi is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Starks, was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone and Possession of Cocaine. In addition to the thousands of dollars the dealers were making by selling drugs, they were also collecting welfare benefits. He also faces a July 25 arraignment. Voodo Meth Flowchart [Click to enlarge or preview slide show]Polk County, Florida This investigation directly impacts Central Florida as a whole. 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. 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. 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. If convicted, he faces up to 105 years in prison. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Mary Pressley, 23, of Ocala, was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone and Possession of Cocaine. Starks is being held on $121,000 bond while Price is being held on $135,500 bond. The cocaine has a street value of $2 million. 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. Legal Statement. "You don't get to that level without having connections; anticipate more arrests as result of spin-off organizations," Strow said. Guy Howie, head of the county's multi-agency drug task force, said Dandridge was suspected of returning to the drug trade soon after his release. Maria Widdows, 29, 3604 Glenoak Drive South, Lakeland is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 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. The Starks brothers have been arrested multiple times in Marion County for cocaine distribution throughout Marion Oaks. Legal Statement. 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. There have been dozens of posts in regards to hand sanitizer(s) and pets. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He also has a history with law enforcement. 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. Reporter. During the course of the investigation, detectives and agents learned two of those involved in the methamphetamine network were Josh Widdows, 30, of 5339 Meadow Grove Trail, Lakeland, and TJ Scott, 24, of 7708 Glen Meadow Drive, Lakeland. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Getting that fentanyl off the street is a really big deal. 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. the largest drug seizures in United States history," U.S. Attorney for the . He is pleased with the overall outcome of the investigation but wants answers. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 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. The big scale when you look at it, and you look at the big picture, some would say its something we just cant beat, I dont believe that. Two children, ages 1 and 3, were removed from a residence and placed into DCF custody. "This shows drug dealers here we mean business," Dean said. Rodriguez had his bond set at $10,000 and Diaz had his bond set at $35,000. The owners of Pirate's Cove (3.9 acres of land on the Gulf) say they will try and subdivide the property to build new homes Doctors in Britain reported severe allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine shortly after it had been administered. [CDATA[ Strow noted that in his 34 years with the Sheriff's Office, "shutting down this drug ring will have more of an impact on drug trafficking in Marion County than I've ever seen in my career.". FIve arrested in Ocala drug bust. The search also netted the largest cannabis wax and MDMA seizures in CCSO history. Undercover detectives arranged to purchase fentanyl from an unidentified source in Mexico for $24,000 per kilo. Capone" and "one minute to pray, a second to die" on his right arm. 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. During the investigation, detectives identified two other suspects out of North Carolina. 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. He was convicted in 1997 of running a $3 million drug distribution network that featured a number of family members and his girlfriend. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Yes, you read correctly. Ocala Post. This may be the biggest meth bust in American history . Copyright 2021 WCJB. Mondragon was released on bond on October 17. Local law enforcement agencies seized 275 marijuana plants while investigating power theft at a northeast Ocala residence this week. This all went down at two homes in Silver Springs. 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. K.C. Ocala, Florida A drug ringleader arrested in Marion Oaks yielded weapons, drugs, and a large sum of cash. Now retired, Deputy Paul Fairbanks was shot three times, and Deputy Mike Braswell was shot four times. 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? 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. UDEST is a federally funded initiative comprised of local and federal agents from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Ocala Police Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration . The residents, 32-year-old Sylvester Welcome and 27-year-old Sharla Welcome, as well as 36-year-old Daniel Harshman, were all arrested. 1:14. Voodo Meth Flowchart [Click to enlarge or preview slide show] Polk County, Florida This investigation directly impacts Central Florida as a whole. Tara Tapia, 30, of 2015 Adair Road, Davenport is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, first degree felony mandating a 7-year minimum mandatory sentence, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, first degree felony mandating a 15-year minimum mandatory sentence, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Florida Gov. 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. Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken said there have been nearly 900 overdoses in the city since mid-2017, with 119 of those people losing their lives. Feds Plan to Seize Russian Oligarch's Luxe Fisher Island Properties, Miami Canal Flooded With Turd Water From Contractor-Involved Pipe Break, Collapse of "Let's Go Brandon" Meme Coin Sparks Billion-Dollar Court Battle, Gator Gets in on the Action at Tampa Bay Horse Race, Readers Warn of Traffic, "Bloodsport" Driving After. The individual noticed a large black bundle wrapped in tape & contacted local authorities. The victim in the shooting originally went to the home to buy some marijuana. 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. Criminal Arrest History: Traffic Amphetamine, Possession with Intent, Possession over 20 Grams, Keep Structure for Drug Activity, Possession of Drugs-Equipment. Arrests as result of spin-off organizations, '' Strow said a really big deal, ages 1 3. 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