Narcotics that used to sell locally for $10 a pill now command as much as $80. Law enforcement officials said today that they had arrested 61 members of a cocaine ring that illegally imported and distributed more than 2,400 kilograms of the drug a year, with a street value. The sheriff's office said on Wednesday the. August 27th, 2021 7:48 am, Janine Singleton Walker on Authorities learned about the ring after Union County police arrested one of the members and he became an informer. Kingpins can make billions when their drugs hit the street, but the authorities do their best to prevent that from happening. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. Next: Where have we heard this one before? Sheriff calls for community action. Florida drug bust seized enough fentanyl to 'kill everyone within 18 counties' by: Dylan Abad. Sylmar is something of a sleepy town northwest of Los Angeles, but its the site of what might be the biggest drug bust ever. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. October 20th, 2020 10:15 am, Allan Mitchell on October 20th, 2020 10:47 am, Paul on The cocaine ring was centered on a small bar, the Sandshaker, on the island town of Pensacola . [1] The individuals were suspected in trafficking cocaine from Miami into the Pensacola area. The bar opened in 1977 and is credited with creating Pensacola's own drink, The Bushwacker. There are warrants for an additional 29 people. 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". "This is a major drug dealer who distributes to people throughout the county," Simmons said. 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. ", 2021 fentanyl statistics:Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. We bet you won't be able to guess the #1 U.S. city that is crowded by these violent Mexican drug cartels. 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. "That means we had enough lethal fentanyl to kill 800,000 people. A major source of the cocaine supply into Pensacola and Northwest Florida has been "knocked out", according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. A cocaine/heroin/fentanyl mixture weighed in at 189.5 grams. Drug trafficking is probably the most lucrative illegal money maker, which the richest drug dealers of all time can attest to. "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. Updated: Sep 22, 2022 / 05:30 AM EDT. August 27th, 2021 6:07 pm, JAnine 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. Thirty-one arrested, two wanted in undercover drug bust by: Ashlyn Williams. Los Zetas Cartel is the least influential of the 6 Mexican cartels, but this doesn't mean that its members aren't dangerous people. Florida Gov. "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. . 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The business operation was closed on September 16, 2004, due to Hurricane Ivan. We're committed to stopping the ones who are selling it and opening up their homes for this type of dangerous behavior.". Click to skip ahead and see the list of top 5 cities that are crowded by Mexican drug cartels . 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. April 15, 2022 Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) went on Fox News Business on Friday to share with the public that there was a huge drug bust in her district. Law enforcement officials said today that they had arrested 61 members of a cocaine ring that illegally imported and distributed more than 2,400 kilograms of the drug a year, with a street value of more than $720 million. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. "Our Narcotics Unit worked pretty hard, and these results are indicative of that effort and commitment to the citizens of Escambia County," Simmons said. Well, a 2011 raid in San Diego originated the idea. 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. Report: Escambia County crime rate down nearly 10% in 2021, rapes and assaults increased, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO) is the third most significant Mexican drug cartel in the United States, followed by Juarez Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and Los Zetas Cartel. Girls high school basketball team forfeits a game because it refused to play against a team with a transgender player, Fox Leaders Wanted to Break From Trump but Struggled to Make It Happen, Not Going to Read That: White House Press Secretary Brushes Off DeSantis Op-Ed, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday, Early Humans Truth People Prefer Not to Know, Wake-Up Weather: AM showers then mild and breezy, Wiener criticizes judge's ruling on Berkeley People's Park housing project, Where could FAU be seeded in the NCAA Tournament? The Corsair. August 26th, 2021 9:46 pm, No Excuses on In case you missed it: 'Thank God! As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Click to see the list of top 5 cities that are crowded by Mexican drug cartels. The officials said the ring was centered in Elizabeth, N.J., where 28 of those arrested live. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. August 27th, 2021 1:29 pm, Chris on A total of 63 suspects have been identified, and about half have been arrested. Many are first-time or casual users. All of those involved in the ring are Colombian nationals, according to the authorities. 5 on the list to read about the U.S. Coast Guards big bust in 2007. 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. However, the majority of Vos assets that were seizedby law enforcement came from a Pensacola property on Klondyke Road. October 20th, 2020 2:19 am. on Fentanyl overdose deaths have surged in the Florida Panhandle. Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is the youngest of the top 6 Mexican drug cartels. Next: The U.S. helps with an international drug bust. by: Ashlyn Williams. We ranked each city by the number of different Mexican cartels that use as a distribution hub. A month of surveillance and a coordinated law enforcement effort produced one of the biggest drug busts weve ever seen. Next: Lets head down the coast for No. 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. Next: The biggest bust this city has ever seen. August 26, 2021 The Escambia County Sheriff's Office has announced the largest marijuana grow and distribution operation ever busted in Escambia County. Nine of thoseproperties were located in Escambia County while the two others were located in neighboring Santa Rosa County. 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. Florida's crackdown on pill mills has tightened the supply. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office made a major drug bust earlier this month that resulted in the seizure of a deadly amount of fentanyl and 20 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of about $500,000. Posted: Sep 21, 2022 / 02:46 PM EDT. 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.. PENSACOLA, Fla. ( WKRG) A man is in jail after the largest marijuana bust in Escambia County history. One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. Related: ECSO seizes $2.2 million of powdered cocaine largest in recent department history. ECSO deputy cleared of use of deadly force in fatal shooting on West La Rua Street, 'Thank God! North Platte Woman Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Crime. Loaded gun found on school campus in Monroe Co. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The illegal narcotics worth. Nhan Thanh Vo, 38, was charged with one. The U.S. Coast Guard uncovered thousands of pounds worth of drugs from a Florida port on Thursday. Well, the Drug Enforcement Agency aided the Edmonton police force as it made itslargest cash seizure to that point. August 26th, 2021 6:51 pm, A.W.Thompson on 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. 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. 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. October 20th, 2020 8:00 am, Go Army!!! 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