Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. The ECSO began investigating Vo four months ago. ''As much as 200 kilos a month was being brought into the Union County area,'' Mr. Dumont said. Press Release The Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Jason R. Coody, who joined Simmons at the Thursday news conference, said Vo had been charged with one federal count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. There are warrants for an additional 29 people. Mexican drug cartels also convert wealthy Chinese nationals' Renminbi (RMB) to US dollars at a lower rate than the prevailing market rate. August 30th, 2021 9:42 pm, 429SCJ on "Our Narcotics Unit worked pretty hard, and these results are indicative of that effort and commitment to the citizens of Escambia County," Simmons said. Eighteen of those arrested or being sought live in Florida and 11 live in New York. Florida drug bust seized enough fentanyl to 'kill everyone within 18 counties' by: Dylan Abad. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Enough fentanyl to kill nearly all of Northwest Florida -- that's what investigators say they found during raids at five different Escambia County homes in the last week . Gun crime:Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. Along with serving five warrants, here are the sheriff's "totals for the week" in seizures from the five homes: "I will tell you this: We are committed to stopping these people who are ruining our neighborhoods," Simmons said. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. . On August 5, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter James discharged 59,700 pounds of cocaine and 1,430 pounds of marijuana worth more than $1.4 billion at the Everglades Port . Police in Florida issued arrest warrants for over members of a suspected drug gang on Wednesday and seized enough fentanyl to wipe out a large county. From Wall Street to the underworld, if theres one thing weve learned its that crime pays and pays big. October 20th, 2020 2:59 pm, Conservative centrist on "Consistent with previous years, the Sinaloa Cartel maintains the widest national influence, with its most dominant positions along the West Coast, in the Midwest, and in the Northeast. Mr. Dumont said no large amounts of drugs had been seized in the raids because the drugs were distributed quickly and the members of the ring did not keep large quantities in their homes. But Coody and Simmons added that they both anticipate that Vo could face additional charges at the official conclusion of an investigation. October 20th, 2020 8:00 am, Go Army!!! ': Corey Marioneaux Jr. speaks out after being cleared in Pensacola SWAT case. Colin Warren-Hicks can be reached at colinwarrenhicks@pnj.com or 850-435-8680. Sinaloa Cartel is one of the oldest and most successful drug cartels in Mexico. The jars on the left contain what are called moonrocks, Simmons said, pointing at one picture. Bidding for the Sandshaker Lounge, Package Store and Sandwich Shop was conducted on online auction site Bid4Assets and bidding started at $295,000. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. In total, deputies seized a half kilogram of cocaine, under 20 grams of marijuana, a gun that had been reported stolen, approximately $6,900 in cash, the 20 pounds of methamphetamine and 37 grams of fentanyl. Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, How to see Venus, Jupiter nighttime kiss, Biden mocks Rep. 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At the press conference, deputies displayed photographs taken of the inside of the Klondyke Road property that included images of a suitcase full of money with an estimated $500,000 neatly stacked inside, assault-rifle-type weapons and walk-in safes filled with rows oforganized and packaged drugs. Ten handguns, including one equipped with a silencer, were confiscated by the authorities. The search warrant resulted in one arrest. August 27th, 2021 11:29 am, Green rocket on More than $1 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana was offloaded by the Coast Guard'sCutter . Rep. Michelle Salzman Calls For Resignation Of School Superintendent Tim Smith, Two Women Charged With Working Together On Multiple Retail Thefts, Catholic Church Plans New Community Center On Highway 29 In Cantonment, ECSO Investigating Reported Abduction Of Teen Girl In Bratt; She Was Found Unharmed, Located: Woman Wanted For Questioning In Deadly Escambia Pit Bull Attack, 11 Arrested In Internet Child Predator Sting, Atmore Man Charged With Reckless Murder Of His 2-Year Old Child, Cantonment Man Charged With Assault With A Deadly Weapon, All Star High School Soccer Game Is Wednesday Night, Tall Job: Crews Paint Walnut Hill Water Tower, DAVID FRANKLIN on It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Well, the Drug Enforcement Agency aided the Edmonton police force as it made itslargest cash seizure to that point. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons held a press conference Friday afternoon regarding the department's recent multi-home drug bust he dubbed "Operation Blue Christmas.". This may be the biggest meth bust in American. That's enough to conceivably kill every person in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County and Walton County. This all happened less than 400 feet from Pleasant Hill Baptist Church which is an additional charge because it was within 1,000 feet. August 27th, 2021 9:49 pm, Dante LaBeaux on That arrest triggered an eight-month investigation that included the placing of court-authorized telephone taps at nine locations, including the travel agency, where an electronic listening device was also installed. On March 4, ECSO deputies executed a search warrant on a residence in the 7700 block of Debora Court. by: Ashlyn Williams. Related: ECSO seizes $2.2 million of powdered cocaine largest in recent department history. Thats a big bust in a big city, but its far from being one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. 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. Five people have been arrested in connection to a huge haul of narcotics near a . Jalisco New Generation Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses New York City as a major hub. The illegal narcotics worth. "Restaurateur faces drug . We need to know about the issues and how we can help," Bruno said. So, while a 1984 raid in Colombia (with the help of the DEA) seizing 13.8 metric tons of cocaine worth $1.2 billion represents one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history, that was just a good month for Escobars clan. August 27th, 2021 5:44 pm, Money bags on Indeed, it seems that not a week goes by without a report of "one of the biggest drug busts in Utah's history," "Brooklyn's biggest drug bust in history," "one of the biggest drug . ", 2021 fentanyl statistics:Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. Mr. Barco is also accused of collecting money for the organization and transmitting it back to Colombia. Others involved in the ring have been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and face maximum penalties of up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. More on the fentanyl crisis: Fentanyl overdose deaths have surged in the Florida Panhandle. The largest marijuana distributor to ever peddle pot in the history of Escambia County has been arrested, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Disclosure: 13 US Cities That Are Crowded By Mexican Drug Cartels is originally published at Insider Monkey. "This investigation began because of a series of violent crimes we had earlier this. 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. September 1st, 2021 1:06 pm, J-THE-G on [1] The individuals were suspected in trafficking cocaine from Miami into the Pensacola area. Find Drug Bust Latest News, Videos & Pictures on Drug Bust and see latest updates, news, information from NDTV.COM. Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons held a press conference Friday afternoon regarding the department's recent multi-home drug bust he dubbed "Operation Blue Christmas.". Gulf Cartel is the 5th most influential Mexican drug cartel in the U.S.. Gulf Cartel is also the only Mexican cartel that uses Houston as a major hub. Forget talking about just drug dealers, Pablo Escobar is one of the richest criminals who ever lived. August 26th, 2021 9:46 pm, No Excuses on February 22, 2023. :, Hunter who killed pet dogs believed they were coyotes, These four House Republicans broke with the GOP to, Pensacola International Airport Travelcast Live Camera, No. 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. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. Police discovered more than 300 pounds of drugs worth $1 million during a traffic stop in southwestern Arizona. The individuals were suspected in trafficking cocaine from Miami into the Pensacola area. You can call this one the mole-man drug bust, in a sense. "That means we had enough lethal fentanyl to kill 800,000 people. Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. "This is a major drug dealer who distributes to people throughout the county," Simmons said. There are at least 13 U.S. cities that are used as distribution hubs by the Mexican drug cartels. August 29th, 2021 11:26 am, Lenny Potts on August 26th, 2021 8:16 pm, Joshua jenkins on Loaded gun found on school campus in Monroe Co. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Escambia County EMS crews responded to 1,095 overdose calls in 2021. October 20th, 2020 3:10 pm, Bruce johnson on Moonrocks are apparently to help you go to the moon, if youre into that sort of thing. Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. "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. These cartels primarily employ Mexican nationals to oversee their distribution operations in the United States. "Feds: Chavez a drug kingpin." Gulf Breeze News, December 13, 2007. ECSO seizes $2.2 million of powdered cocaine largest in recent department history, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, 12 vehicles (including luxury vehicles such a Porsche and an Audi). That's enough to conceivably kill every person in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County and Walton County. Jaquan Charmine Xavier Smith, 26, of Pensacola, has so far been charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest without violence, driving with a suspended license and violation of probation. October 20th, 2020 2:50 pm, Lester on One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. 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. A major source of the cocaine supply into Pensacola and Northwest Florida has been "knocked out", according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 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 different homes on Diego Circle, West Lloyd Street, Chapel Street and West Jackson Street. Channel 3's Rebekah Castor is live with the. The Escambia County. All of those involved in the ring are Colombian nationals, according to the authorities. The cocaine ring was centered on a small bar, the Sandshaker, on the island town of Pensacola Beach.[2][3]. Mr. Dumont said the arrests had resulted in the dismantling of an international organization that had operated in New Jersey since 1979 and distributed cocaine in New Jersey, New York and other states. Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. ': Corey Marioneaux Jr. speaks out after being cleared in Pensacola SWAT case, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Gun crime:Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. Click to skip ahead and see the list of top 5 cities that are crowded by Mexican drug cartels. 9 Texas a B12 title, Kevin Durant scores 23 points in Charlotte in Suns, Baylor women showing they can win, even without Big, Meet the Gulf Coast CW Host: Theo Williams, WWE Hall of Famer The Honky Tonk Man joins Gulf Coast, Rich Harmon from CWs The 100 and the final season, Pensacon 2023: Highlights from the Gulf Coasts biggest, The Young Sheldon | Shazam: Fury of the Gods Sweepstakes. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. Month was being brought into the Union County area, '' Simmons said digitized of... Department history uses New York city as a major drug dealer who distributes to people the... 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