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. On April 29 and 30 deputies and investigators hit areas in DeLand and. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. These are some very very bad guys, and I am absolutely convinced that the quality of life in Seminole County will be increased by taking these folks off the streets, Lemma said, standing in front of a table displaying seized handguns and bricks of cocaine. Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma described the hierarchy of a sophisticated heroin, fentanyl and cocaine operation that was running on the streets of Sanford, Lake Mary, Longwood and Geneva. In a statement, Chief O'Connor called the bust the result of an ideal partnership between neighbors and police. Aug 01, 2022 at 7:00 am Seminole County Court Judge Group 5: Sandy Buie, Ken Lester and Erik Swenk Watch on The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board interviews, Sandy Buie, Ken Lester and. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. A nearby neighbor of one of the homes that was part of the investigation says he thought they were an ordinary family that moved in a couple doors down. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. "My experience was amazing, they are very professional and helpful all the way through the end. Though owners did not respond to a request for comment, workers said they were grateful for TPD intervention and had recently evicted numerous long term problem tennants. Seminole deputies and police departments in the county began investigating the ring over the summer after getting tips about it. The center offers treatment regardless of insurance coverage to those battling addiction. Detectives raided 12 houses Thursday morning in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Polk counties, where agents brought out hundreds of pounds of pot. Its not going to stop it, but we will affect it., glotan@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5774, [Interactive map: Every homicide in Central Florida]. Im glad they got them," said Michael Denmark. Deputies said they arrested the suspects at. as he was taken into custody for allegedly selling the drug. You know, you cut one head off, three more are going to pop up, said Sgt. 2023 FOX Television Stations, 'Absolute mayhem': Suspect dead after shootout in Poinciana, Polk County sheriff says, 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, Seminole lawyer accused of stealing more than $840K from 16 personal injury victims, Pinellas sheriff says, Accused drunk driver runs over boyfriend, police say, 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, Feed flamingos at Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg during annual festival, Train carrying propane derails in Manatee County, but no leaks detected: officials. Right now, I'm so scatter-brained. 2023 Cox Media Group. PANAMA CITY Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said a recent major drug bust had "one of the largest currency seizures" he . I actually thought it was a bad nightmare. "You have parents, you have kids that are walking by this location during the school year. He ran an aquatic landscaping business on the side and she thought that was where all the extra money was coming from. Those who face drug charges need to take the matter very seriously. "Actually, it was more than 22,000single dose packets of fentanyl and fentanyl laced heroin, Lemma said. Will Christensen of the Seminole County Sheriffs Office. Seminole County, Fla. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that two highly organized drug distribution rings are off the streets. Seminole County cops arrest 19 in drug case, Man Found Asleep on a Florida Highway Charged with DUI, Florida Man Arrested for Assaulting an 82-year-old Woman. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Seminole County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff said officials are working with the state attorney's office to make sure there is swift consequences for dealers. An employee at a Seminole County drug treatment facility was arrested Tuesday after deputies said she was found to have sold drugs, including the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, to people. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The ring was selling high-grade level marijuana valued a $4,300. Two of the arrests were said to be top leaders in the gang. He bought the marijuana from Mexico and California and shipped it across state lines. SELKE Lemma asks if you see suspicious activity, let his department know so that it can hopefully lead to more arrests down the road. Seminole County (January 6, 2021) - Based on evidence at the scene and fingerprint identification conducted by the Medical Examiner, the body discovered in Sanford Tuesday afternoon has been identified as 35-year-old Tiffany Church. Video: 11 arrested in Seminole County on drug charges. The hotel, located at 6110 N. Nebraska Avenue, sits within a block of Seminole Heights Elementary School, a daycare, an after school program, a church, a neighborhood grocery store and dozens of homes and businesses. Enough fentanyl seized to kill half of Florida; 'massive' bust linked to a Mexican drug cartel: AG By Gail Paschall-Brown, WESH , CNNWire Friday, October 14, 2022 They did their work," said Truett. A tiny, older, kind of run down block home is where detectives say the drug dealer who distributed $90,000 worth of marijuana every week lived. "No, not at all, that's why this is such a shock to me. Everything you need to know about Florida's theme parks and the all-new Attractions Insider podcast! The joint-task force operation will also keep highly addictiveand dangerous opioids from ending up in the wrong hands, deputies said. "It's a big money-making opportunity. Meet the equally eccentric Florida sheriffs going after these guys. Accessibility Statement. A deadly shooting in front of the motel earlier this year only increased neighborhood calls for intervention. Everything you need to know about the next launch and detailed coverage on space missions. Last year in Seminole County, 34 deaths occurred due to drug overdose. County Judges of Brevard. I just, I am so shocked right now, actually," she said. 407-665-3000 All Locations Skip MegaMenu and goto content SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that two highly organized drug distribution rings are off the streets. Deputies turned Cole's rented home upside down looking for drugs; every drawer was dumped out and they even pulled out the vents and looked inside the duct work. On Thursday, workers could be seen removing locks from doors and entering ramsacked-looking rooms to clear out furniture and heaps of debris. Daily Booking Report. He also produces the podcast Florida Foodie. But Sergeant Williamson also stressed that accused kingpin David Cole and his UCF cohorts were all arrested off-campus. That is a 21 percent increase from this time last year. They were arrested Tuesday and Wednesday after a months-long investigation, he said. They are great people that are the best at what they do! Eighty-five suspects were arrested and over $12.8 million in drugs were confiscated in a two-year undercover drug trafficking investigation, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said on Friday. The sheriff said this kind of raid won't solve all the problems with opioids. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection discovered 24 "possible violations" after a massive fish kill in January at a Winter Springs pond. Mission: To enhance the quality of life by reducing crime and the fear of crime throughout. "They were using a broker in California working as a conduit between buyers here in Central Florida and growers of the marijuana in California," Captain Sammy Gibson of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office said. 2023 FOX Television Stations, deadly shooting in front of the motel earlier this year, 5-year-old killed on Tampa road after falling out of pickup truck, troopers say, 'Absolute mayhem': Suspect dead after shootout in Poinciana, Polk County sheriff says, 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, 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, Feed flamingos at Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg during annual festival, Train carrying propane derails in Manatee County, but no leaks detected: officials. "Quite literally this is a life or death situation.. The investigation revealed that David Cole had several sources of supply for the marijuana including Andrew Murdock of Winter Springs, Christopher Lafata and Jacob Parks both of Orlando, Christopher South, Samuel Peterson, Thomas Carpenter, Michael Grybek of Seminole County and Chase Alley of Orlando, who all worked and distributed marijuana collectively (see mug shots). Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma spoke on Tuesday about a significant drug bust. They'd be able to sell it to a lot of people, their friends. Six people were arrested on various possession and trafficking charges. Drug units said South purchased medical marijuana in the US; he then would purchase Mexican marijuana from Marco Suarez. "Actually, it was more than 22,000 single dose packets of fentanyl and fentanyl laced heroin, Lemma said. The Seminole County sheriff says two groups that were pumping heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine throughout Seminole County are out of business. Officers also seized more than $51,000 and 20 guns, records show. The joint-task force operation will also. The investigation has been turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. On Monday, investigators said they executed a search warrant on the home. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A major drug bust at a home in Northwest Jacksonville led to the arrests of six people and the seizure of 9 kilograms of cocaine, authorities said. To gather evidence, Seminole County officers from the vice and drug squad went undercover and purchased drugs from the suspects. She has since posted bond and was released. "Particularly these seven people facing RICO charges, there is a minimum mandatory of 25 years in prison," Lemma said. On Tuesday, the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) announced operation 'curbside crackdown' lead to 50 arrests in a massive narcotics and gun bust at a North Fort Myers drug house. Depending on the circumstances surrounding their arrest, some of the suspects may be charged with felony drug charges and others with misdemeanor drug charges. A criminal defense attorney could help their clients prepare a strong defense to counter the charges, and if the evidence was obtained under suspicious circumstances, a skilled attorney may be able to get the charges reduced or dismissed. I'm not that shocked by it," freshman Kelsey Lacke said. 22 It is the policy of the Randolph County Sheriff's Office to maintain a zero-tolerance for inmate-on-inmate sexual assault, staff sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, and . MORE NEWS: Brian Laundrie autopsy inconclusive on cause of death, lawyer says. 30 pounds of cocaine, $330,000 in cash seized, 27 charged in North Florida drug ring. They have been charged with importing cannabis from a different state and then selling it within the county. A recent study showed 30.2 percent of college students smoked pot in the past year. Police were able to identify two marijuana dealers during the course of their investigation who were not actually a part of the drug ring. A conviction may result in jail time, and a criminal record in Florida will affect ones chances of qualifying for a loan and may make it hard to find a job. While serving 14 search warrants early Thursday morning, agents arrested Suarez at his east Orange County home In all, detectives had arrest warrants for 41 different suspects, many of whom were arrested in upscale homes in family neighborhoods.