Roughly enough Heroin to supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month. The bust, containing Mexican Cartel produced fentanyl, enough to kill "every man, woman, and child in the state of Florida 11 times over." The congresswoman said. October 21st, 2020 11:32 am, Lance on In case of a tie, we rank the city with more powerful cartels higher. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. Click to skip ahead and see the list of top 5 cities that are crowded by Mexican drug cartels. That's enough to conceivably kill every person in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County and Walton County. 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. October 20th, 2020 2:50 pm, Lester on We're committed to stopping the ones who are selling it and opening up their homes for this type of dangerous behavior.". [citation needed]. 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. ", 2021 fentanyl statistics:Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. Juarez Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses Oklahoma City as a major hub. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. 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". Nahn Thanh Vo, 38, was arrested Aug. 19. This month the DEA made the biggest meth bust in American history: 2200 pounds of meth, nearly 900 pounds of cocaine, and 13 pounds of heroin. The Georgia State Patrol pulled over a car that contained drugs. 1 on the countdown. Here's the latest bracketology predictions. February 22, 2023. 13 US Cities That Are Crowded By Mexican Drug Cartels. Pompano Beach, FL 33062 (954) 945-7520. October 20th, 2020 11:42 pm, Cheri on 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%. 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. ': Corey Marioneaux Jr. speaks out after being cleared in Pensacola SWAT case, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Many are first-time or casual users. Next: The biggest bust this city has ever seen. These cartels primarily employ Mexican nationals to oversee their distribution operations in the United States. 2.0 2.1 "Affidavit: Restaurants fronted major drug ring." Pensacola News Journal, December 8, 2007. Their second choice for leadership positions are U.S. citizens of Mexican origin. Escambia County EMS crews responded to 1,095 overdose calls in 2021. "This is a major drug dealer who distributes to people throughout the county," Simmons said. August 30th, 2021 1:53 pm, Dreama Brazwell on Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, No. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. $500 million Pacific Ocean drug bust 105 ton marijuana drug bust 12 ton Coast Guard drug bust 13.8 . Next: A bust that saved the equivalent of 26 million lives. BLO activities remain more dispersed throughout the United States, with heavier concentrations in areas with large heroin markets," said the DEA. 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. 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, 2,156 pounds of the highest grade marijuana, citizen II on The arrests were announced by the United States Attorney, W. Hunt Dumont; the New Jersey Attorney General, Irwin I. Kimmelman, and Col. Clinton L. Pagano of the state police. 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. 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. There are at least 13 U.S. cities that are used as distribution hubs by the 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. "To put that in perspective, just a couple of milligrams of fentanyl are considered fatal," Simmons said. Anyone can read what you share. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. FDLE report:Report: Escambia County crime rate down nearly 10% in 2021, rapes and assaults increased. Press Release August 30th, 2021 9:42 pm, 429SCJ on 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. More on the fentanyl crisis: Fentanyl overdose deaths have surged in the Florida Panhandle. Gulf Cartel is the only Mexican cartel that uses Detroit as a major hub. August 27th, 2021 6:07 pm, JAnine on 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. The individuals were suspected in trafficking cocaine from Miami into the Pensacola area. Colin Warren-Hicks can be reached at colinwarrenhicks@pnj.com or 850-435-8680. The others remain wanted. Bidding for the Sandshaker Lounge, Package Store and Sandwich Shop was conducted on online auction site Bid4Assets and bidding started at $295,000. Narcotics that used to sell locally for $10 a pill now command as much as $80. The largest marijuana distributor to ever peddle pot in the history of Escambia County has been arrested, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. "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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The sheriff added that further arrests of more peoplein connection toVos operations also could occur pending the investigation's completion. Click to see the list of top 5 cities that are crowded by Mexican drug cartels. 360 WEST RUBY STREET | TAVARES, FLORIDA 32778 | 352. This may be the biggest meth bust in American. Read More. 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. October 20th, 2020 2:59 pm, Conservative centrist on The total lot size is .54 acres (2,200m2). We're committed to stopping the ones who are selling it and opening up their homes for this type of dangerous behavior.". Next: Another 2018 raid is among the biggest drug busts ever. They arrested Marcus Blankenship and Steven Brown and there were three other people inside at the time. Authorities learned about the ring after Union County police arrested one of the members and he became an informer. October 20th, 2020 7:31 am, Oversight on Drug smuggling knows no age, and this August 2018 bust is proof. The Sandwich Shop was not in operation prior to the hurricane. The seizure also helped police shut down business specializing in selling marijuana horticulture supplies. Escambia County had 25 homicides already in 2022. They clearly don't care about violating the employment discrimination laws. Andre Earl Johns, 22, was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school property; trespassing on school . Chinese nationals aren't allowed to transfer their wealth outside of China, so they are willing to pay Mexican drug cartels a premium for the cartels' US dollar cash holdings in exchange for RMB payments in China. Next: Proof that you cant hide anything from the authorities. FDLE report:Report: Escambia County crime rate down nearly 10% in 2021, rapes and assaults increased. ''As much as 200 kilos a month was being brought into the Union County area,'' Mr. Dumont said. August 26th, 2021 6:51 pm, A.W.Thompson on One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. August 26th, 2021 6:05 pm. If convicted on Federal charges of operating a continuing drug enterprise, Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Barco could be sentenced to up to life in prison, without parole. 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. 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. "This investigation began because of a series of violent crimes we had earlier this. Escambia County has 63% of fentanyl deaths in 4-county area in 2021, deaths increased 48%. 22 TCU wins 75-73 to deny No. If you factor in the two pounds of methamphetamines, cash, and guns, the DEA bust was probably closer to $7 million. "Feds: Chavez a drug kingpin." Gulf Breeze News, December 13, 2007. Pensacon headlines your 5 Things to do this Weekend! All Rights Reserved. The Sandshaker Lounge, Package Store and Sandwich Shop, located at 731 Pensacola Beach Boulevard, Pensacola Beach, Florida, consists of two small bars and lounge area totaling approximately 1,978 square feet (183.8m2). Five people have been arrested in connection to a huge haul of narcotics near a . Forget talking about just drug dealers, Pablo Escobar is one of the richest criminals who ever lived. August 27th, 2021 5:44 pm, Money bags on October 21st, 2020 12:57 pm, Bonnie on It is also the most significant drug trafficking organization in the United States. 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. "The DEA reports that 2 milligrams of fentanyl are lethal," Simmons said at the press conference. The largest marijuana distributorto ever peddle pot in the history of Escambia County has been arrested, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. by: Ashlyn Williams. 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 . Colin Warren-Hicks can be reached at colinwarrenhicks@pnj.com or 850-435-8680. They were pretty much aone-stop shop for high-quality marijuana, Simmons said. Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated in the raid of a Fort Myers auto shop. 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. Loaded gun found on school campus in Monroe Co. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Polk County Sheriff. The ECSO began investigating Vo four months ago. "That means we had enough lethal fentanyl to kill 800,000 people. Sheriff calls for community action. August 29th, 2021 11:26 am, Lenny Potts on The Escambia County Sheriff's Office puts a stop to a major drug operation in Pensacola. The ECSO led the investigation but received assistance from the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, PPD, SRSO and OCSO. October 20th, 2020 3:10 pm, Bruce johnson on Posted: Sep 21, 2022 / 02:46 PM EDT. Ten handguns, including one equipped with a silencer, were confiscated by the authorities. on 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 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Sandshaker&oldid=1098279589, This page was last edited on 15 July 2022, at 03:00. 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. 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. Case of a weapon on school property ; trespassing on school to conceivably kill every in. 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