highlands county drug bust

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. The narcotics team at the HCSO reportedly found illegal drugs at a home in Lake Placid. "That pull of addiction, those obsessive thoughts, can take you to some dark places," she said. They were also prohibited from carrying firearms, said police. Steven Lee Purser, 47, of Bowling Green: sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony. 21-CR-14002). Some face federal charges. Hanna and Johnson are the only two suspects not from Highlands County. The OCDETF program facilitates complex, joint operations by focusing its partner agencies on priority targets, by managing and coordinating multi-agency efforts, and by leveraging intelligence across multiple investigative platforms. 23 people across the area were The driver, 40-year-old Ruben Ramirez-Rivera, was arrested on several charges and was being held without bond. WebAVON PARK -- A traffic stop in Avon Park on Sunday led to what the Highlands County Sheriff's Office calls one of the largest drug seizures in recent memory in their county. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The junior Bellamy was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, La Verne J. Hibbert, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, Robert Cekada, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Miami Field Office, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, Troy Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Paul Blackman, Sheriff, Highlands County Sheriffs Office made the announcement. Dixon was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison in 2003 for dealing cocaine. 21-CR-14002). (Case No. SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) - Law enforcement officials arrested seven people, and confiscated two kilograms of cocaine, 20,000 bags of heroin, $180,000 in cash, and multiple firearms as part of a large-scale, multi-agency drug bust in southeastern North Carolina. WebPOLK COUNTY, Fla. More than $50 million worth of methamphetamine linked to the Juarez Mexican Drug Cartel was seized during a joint drug investigation between the This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Create a password that only you will remember. Kenneth Jamal Deveaux has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. Edward Bernard Hammond, 61, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone. We will continue to work hard to identify and arrest the people who seek to peddle this poison in our community.. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Takaria Vashon McCray, 47, was sentenced on August 25, 2021, by Judge Middlebrooks, to 188 months' imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, DeSantis auditing state attorney over Orlando shooting, FL sheriff stops fleeing driver during radio interview, Publix FL Lottery ticket worth $186K about to expire, Police investigating Tarpon Springs shooting that, Trustees eliminate diversity office at New College, Gov. Be Proactive. I am so proud of the work done on this case by the Crime Suppression Unit and the work of all the others who took part in this investigation. Deveaux has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and was sentenced as a career offender under the federal sentencing guidelines. 20-CR-14022). An official website of the United States government. LAKE PLACID, Fla. (WFLA) A Lake Placid man deputies called one of Highlands Countys most prolific drug dealers was arrested after officers found enough fentanyl to kill 25,000 people. Invalid password or account does not exist. Trafficking cocaine (28 grams less than 150 kilograms). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. You have permission to edit this article. K-9 officer Gentry sniffed around the outside of the car and indicated there were drugs inside. I want to thank everyone who had a part in making this huge impact on the flow of drugs onto our streets, Blackman said. More than 80 arrest warrants were issued and more than 70 people have been taken into custody. Im very proud of the work done by the deputies involved in this arrest, Sheriff Paul Blackman said in a press rleease. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. Neighbors complained of a large amount of traffic coming from 1 Meadowlake Drive in Lake Placid. Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, La Verne J. Hibbert, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, Robert Cekada, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Miami Field Office, George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Miami Field Office, Troy Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Paul Blackman, Sheriff, Highlands County Sheriff's Office made the announcement. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Stephen Gerald Shuart, 31, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. Zaquero Baza, 33, of 4318 Mackerel Drive in Sebring, on unrelated charges. The most recent obituaries newsletter, sent out every morning. Official websites use .gov Highlands County Sheriffs Office arrested Dahlin Stanton, 20, of Lake Placid, on Nov. 29. The following comes from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office: Arrested during the Operation Dealer Fold sweep over the weekend were: Erica Lea Blair, 47, of Sebring: possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. Molina ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Nicholas Ray Lynch: possession of marijuana, possession of drug equipment, resisting arrest without violence. RELATED: Law enforcement officials worry 'rainbow fentanyl' could be targeting children. RELATED: Thousands of 'rainbow fentanyl' pills seized as authorities warn of possible new 'trend' targeting kids. (Case No. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, and other priority transnational criminal organizations that threaten the citizens of the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence driven, multi-agency approach to combat transnational organized crime. Authorities said these forms of the drugs have higher potency and are highly addictive. Markyrie McCray, Sr. has a prior conviction from the Southern District of Florida for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base. Now that she has paid her debt to society, she works on recovery efforts in New Port Richey. The cannabis was reportedly field tested on scene and showed a positive result for the substance. The arrests happened in the north parking lot on Jan. 26 around 3 p.m. Im very proud of our police officers and K-9 Kai who proactively and tactically detected the suspicious activity in the parking lot and delivered a direct, decisive response, said Beachwood Police Chief Kate Dolan. To put that in perspective, that would be enough to kill nearly 40 percent of the people in Highlands County, an HCSO spokesperson noted. Shawn Douglas Klebba, 37, of Avon Park: sale of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment, use of a two-way device to facilitate a felony. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. The investigation began in August 2018 when the HCSO Narcotics Unit learned that 27-year-old Miguel Angel Molina-Etchechury, of 5003 Manatee Drive in Sebring, was a multi-pound distributor of methamphetamine in Highlands County. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account. Dahlin Patrick Stanton, 20, of Lake Placid, was arrested on Nov. 29 by deputies from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office. WebThe Highlands County Sheriffs Office Crime Suppression Unit, along with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, executed a search warrant at 4545 Shad Drive in Sebring yesterday. READ: Were losing this battle: Floridas attorney general wants fentanyl declared a weapon of mass destruction. HCSO Special Operations Units narcotics team investigated the complaint, and a large drug bust was made on Nov. 29. Success! Operation Triple Play is most likely the largest and most productive investigation of its kind ever conducted in Highlands County. Detectives unraveled the network over seven months through several controlled purchases of methamphetamine and by identifying several dealers working for Molina-Etchechury. (Case No. According to a release from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office, Ezzard Charles Dixon, 47, was arrested on Tuesday after a search warrant turned up multiple types of drugs and guns. Galyn Oakley Turnbull, 32, of 2333 Cleveland Road, for trafficking methamphetamine (14 grams or over), possession of marijuana, possession of drug equipment and resisting an officer. WebDahlin Patrick Stanton, 20, of Lake Placid, was arrested on Nov. 29 by deputies from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office. Task force members found additional amounts of methamphetamine, as well as a pint of liquid codeine, and smaller amounts of liquid THC and marijuana. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Miami, Fl. Possession of firearm by a convicted felon. 21-CR-14002). A locked padlock Samuel Danelle Sapp Richmond County Sheriff's Office. NW, had meth, cocaine, oxycodone, 3 lbs. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Marlene Rodriguez Aleia Danielle Jones, 28, of Sebring: sale of oxycodone, sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug equipment. A lock ( WebMiami, Florida Several Highlands County men have been sentenced in South Florida federal district court to prison terms for their roles in a powder and crack cocaine drug At about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Hillsboro Police Other people linked with the drug trafficking organization were arrested prior to Thursday: Victor Antonio Delagua, 27, of 1517 Melady Ave. in Sebring, was arrested Feb. 8 and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug equipment, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and probation violation after he was found with 13 grams of methamphetamine and 255.3 grams (more than half a pound) of marijuana during a probation search of his home. U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, Highlands County Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Federal Prison, Palm Beach County Resident Pleads Guilty to Importation of MDMA and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Armed South Florida Fentanyl Dealer Arrested on Federal Charges, Dark Web Drug Dealer Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison, Highlands County Drug Traffickers Sentenced To Federal Prison. Public Affairs Officer Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Jillian Elizabeth Tubbs, 28, of Sebring, was arrested Feb. 28 and charged with methamphetamine trafficking and possession of drug equipment after she was found with 259.6 grams (more than half a pound) of methamphetamine after a traffic stop. Trafficking methamphetamine (more than 28 grams), Trafficking oxycodone (more than 7 grams), Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to distribute, Owning or renting a structure for the purpose to traffic narcotics, Committing a first degree felony with weapon (armed drug trafficking). WebSEBRING, Fla. Highlands County Sheriffs Office says their most recent drug dealer bust is the largest recorded in the countys history. Deputies say they found five loaded guns and $3,000 in cash. 21-CR-14003). WebBEACHWOOD, Ohio (WOIO) Two men suspected of drug trafficking were arrested in the parking lot of Beachwood Place and police said they seized two guns, suspected Before that, it was months and months of investigations. The most recent obituaries, sent out every Wednesday and Saturday morning. Most of those arrested in the operation are facing serious felony charges that could lead to lengthy sentences in state prison. USAFLS.News@usdoj.gov, Southern District of Florida More information about this case can be found atwww.flsd.uscourts.govorhttp://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. WebHILLSBORO, OH (FOX19) - Seven people have been arrested after a drug bust in Highland County. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Steven Lorenzo sentenced to death for murders of Jason Galehouse and Michael Waccholtz in 2003, Cheerleader competes alone at state champs after squad quits: It felt amazing, Two top members of Latin Kings arrested in Hillsborough County, sheriff says, St. Pete church affordable housing plan faces pushback from nearby neighbors, Seminole lawyer accused of stealing more than $840K from 16 personal injury victims, Pinellas sheriff says, TPD: Video shows suspected officer impersonator who exposed himself to woman at Tampa hotel, USF Sarasota-Manatee to host groundbreaking for its first student housing complex, Berns Steak House requiring credit card for reservations, no-show fees will be donated to Feeding Tampa Bay, Train carrying propane derails in Manatee County, but no leaks detected: officials, World War II airman from Tampa Bay area identified nearly 80 years after his death. 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