February 22, 2023. October 20th, 2020 9:08 pm, Don Rojo on BLO activities remain more dispersed throughout the United States, with heavier concentrations in areas with large heroin markets," said the DEA. They arrested Marcus Blankenship and Steven Brown and there were three other people inside at the time. ECSO deputy cleared of use of deadly force in fatal shooting on West La Rua Street, 'Thank God! There are warrants for an additional 29 people. 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. Mr. Barco is also accused of collecting money for the organization and transmitting it back to Colombia. Drug and alcohol addiction is a nationwide epidemic, please reach out if you or a loved one is suffering. The individuals were suspected in trafficking cocaine from Miami into the Pensacola area. 360 WEST RUBY STREET | TAVARES, FLORIDA 32778 | 352. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. The cocaine ring was centered on a small bar, the Sandshaker, on the island town of Pensacola Beach.[2][3]. One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. Florida's crackdown on pill mills has tightened the supply. "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. 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. Andre Earl Johns, 22, was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school property; trespassing on school . When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. "To put that in perspective, just a couple of milligrams of fentanyl are considered fatal," Simmons said. "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. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. August 27th, 2021 9:49 pm, Dante LaBeaux on 1 on the countdown. Read More. Los Zetas Cartel is also the only Mexican cartel that uses Laredo as a major hub. According to the DEA, these six Mexican drug cartels generate tens of billions of dollars every year and employ a multitude of financial transactions and arrangements to launder and smuggle their earnings into Mexico. Florida drug bust seized enough fentanyl to 'kill everyone within 18 counties' by: Dylan Abad. Mr. Dumont said the leaders of the ring were Carlos Fernandez, 32 years old, of Miami and David Barco, 32, of Elizabeth. Thirty-one arrested, two wanted in undercover drug bust by: Ashlyn Williams. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Another 2018 haul is one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Next: Proof that you cant hide anything from the authorities. Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. February 22, 2023. Which Politicians Had Terrible Diseases Like John McCain. August 27th, 2021 1:29 pm, Chris on Next: We remain in the 20th century the rest of the way. August 26th, 2021 6:51 pm, A.W.Thompson on October 20th, 2020 10:47 am, Paul on Remember when we discussed a secret drug tunnel in Arizona that authorities discovered in 2018? Many are first-time or casual users. We're committed to stopping the ones who are selling it and opening up their homes for this type of dangerous behavior.". The county is on track to nearly double that number in 2022, with 1,969 reported overdoses as of Dec. 12, according to a county EMS dashboard. They had 9.3 grams of marijuana, 1.6 grams of cocaine, 3.2 grams of Oxycodone pills, 3.5 grams of MDMA pills that test positive for methamphetamine and 2.3 grams of Tramadol pills. More on the fentanyl crisis: Fentanyl overdose deaths have surged in the Florida Panhandle. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. The others remain wanted. The largest marijuana distributorto ever peddle pot in the history of Escambia County has been arrested, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. [1] The individuals were suspected in trafficking cocaine from Miami into the Pensacola area. Pensacola State Police scored the biggest drug bust in college history April 20, according to Chief Hank Shirah, netting $4,548 in U.S. currency and 500 grams of hydroponic marijuana with a street value of $10,000. October 20th, 2020 3:10 pm, Bruce johnson on The ECSO began investigating Vo four months ago. One of the biggest drug busts Florida has ever seen was straight out of a movie. 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. Sheriff calls for community action. In 1989, authorities seized more than 21 tons of cocaine worth roughly $6.9 billion on the street sitting in a nondescript warehouse. Kingpins can make billions when their drugs hit the street, but the authorities do their best to prevent that from happening. August 29th, 2021 11:26 am, Lenny Potts on 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. Here's the latest bracketology predictions. Escambia County EMS crews responded to 1,095 overdose calls in 2021. August 27th, 2021 11:29 am, Green rocket on Forget talking about just drug dealers, Pablo Escobar is one of the richest criminals who ever lived. August 30th, 2021 1:53 pm, Dreama Brazwell on Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is the youngest of the top 6 Mexican drug cartels. October 21st, 2020 12:57 pm, Bonnie on In the world of drug enforcement, it pays to be patient. Border agents in San Diego arrested an 81-year old woman after they found 34 heroin packages weighing 92 pounds. This may be the biggest meth bust in American. 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. August 27th, 2021 6:07 pm, JAnine 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. 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. Acting on a tip, authorities searched a house and discovered nearly 18,000 pounds of wrapped cocaine estimated to be worth $1 billion. $500 million Pacific Ocean drug bust 105 ton marijuana drug bust 12 ton Coast Guard drug bust 13.8 . Our ranking methodology is quite simple. Nebraska might not be among the states with the most opioid abuse, but apparently, its a way station along the route to those places. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Escambia deputies, Pensacola SWAT partner in huge Christmas drug bust, Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. Los Zetas Cartel is also the only Mexican cartel that uses Dallas as a major hub. by: Ashlyn Williams. The arrested included a millionaire, a middle school teacher, and a substance abuse counselor. August 26th, 2021 6:05 pm. 2.0 2.1 "Affidavit: Restaurants fronted major drug ring." Pensacola News Journal, December 8, 2007. The sheriff also wanted this investigation to serve as "a Christmas gift" for the citizens of Escambia by ridding the streets of lethal drugs and weapons. Some people are upset at the way iPhones charge. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking. It is also the most significant drug trafficking organization in the United States. More than $1 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana was offloaded by the Coast Guard'sCutter . "That means we had enough lethal fentanyl to kill 800,000 people. | By WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola | Facebook Log In Speaking from the county's Emergency Management . One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. Inside the home, they found cocaine, heroin, Oxycodone, MDMA, Tramadol, marijuana, Fentanyl, handguns and drug paraphernalia. The search warrant resulted in one arrest. He said the cocaine was smuggled into Florida by ship, then transported to New Jersey and other locations in the door panels and tires of automobiles. The cocaine ring was centered on a small bar, the Sandshaker, on the island town of Pensacola . On March 4, ECSO deputies executed a search warrant on a residence in the 7700 block of Debora Court. "This is a major drug dealer who distributes to people throughout the county," Simmons said. Gulf Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses Detroit as a major hub. 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. Here are our rankings using DEA's data: Los Zetas Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses New Orleans as a major hub. ': Corey Marioneaux Jr. speaks out after being cleared in Pensacola SWAT case, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. This is probably not the last time you hear about CJNG as it is more willing to engage in violent confrontations with rival cartels and security forces. Next: Not the kind of father and son activity most people do. Police discovered more than 300 pounds of drugs worth $1 million during a traffic stop in southwestern Arizona. 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. August 27th, 2021 12:27 pm, ensley boy on 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 . The biggest raids happened in the 20th century, but check out No. August 28th, 2021 12:52 pm, Correction for Chris on CJNG continues to be the Mexican TCO with second-most widespread national influence. The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that it was offloading a record-shattering amount of cocaine and marijuana at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The Corsair. 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