Police were able to identify two marijuana dealers during the course of their investigation who were not actually a part of the drug ring. "I wasn't surprised about the things that they found, but I was very happy that the police department was listening to us. It's a huge campus and nobody WFTV talked to knew the UCF students involved in the drug ring. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Detectives raided 12 houses Thursday morning in Orange, Seminole, Lake and Polk counties, where agents brought out hundreds of pounds of pot. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File . On April 29 and 30 deputies and investigators hit areas in DeLand and. BUSTER THOMPSON. If you are out there and engaged in this type of criminal activity, we are going to find you," said Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma "We are going to arrest you and be swift with the penalty phases of that.. Suarez was the head of the Mexican drug trafficking ring. "This woman took advantage of those individuals who were actively seeking help on their recovery journey.". Board of County Commission District 2; Board of County Commission District 4; County Court Judge; . Truett said he hopes TPD continues to put the pressure on motel owners to keep their properties from turning into havens of criminal activity. WFTV Detectives said the organization was obtaining large quantities of drugs from overseas and distributing them throughout Brevard County, which is about 50 miles east of Orlando. SELKE Deputies said they seized over $800,000 worth in drugs and other items bought with illegally earned cash. If that same statistic is true for UCF, than of the school's 53,500 students the drug operation had more than 16,000 potential customers. UCF police Sgt. "The engagement of our community and detailed police work that led to these arrests is outstanding", TPD Chief OConnor said in a statement. Investigators said Britton was double dipping between both organizations and then the dominoes slowly began to fall, resulting in 19 felony arrests and seven people arrested under the RICO statute. Trends Analytics. Nine suspects face charges including trafficking in cocaine and heroin and racketeering. Crime Map for Seminole County, FL. SEMINOLE HEIGHTS, Fla. - The Tampa Police Department is cracking down on nuisance hotels and motels. The drugs seized in Operation Sundown came from Longwood, Sanford, Lake Mary, and parts of Geneva. After receiving several complaints of ongoing criminal activity occurring at hotels and motels in Seminole Heights, TPD began surveilling several businesses along Nebraska Avenue. Check out this flyer for Seminole County Drug Disposal Locations for DEA take back 2019 . Thomas Mates is a digital storyteller for News 6 and ClickOrlando.com. (Seminole County Sheriff's Office) Members of a suspected drug ring arrested this week brought 25 to 30 kilograms of cocaine into Central Florida every month, Seminole County Sheriff. "Somebody else will probably just come up and fill his shoes, if he gets taken out," Thorpe said. "No, not at all, that's why this is such a shock to me. The suspects were allegedly selling and trading drugs illegally that they purchased legitimately. The main players in this were organized, theyre not new to the criminal justice system, Lemma said. MORE NEWS: FOX 35 Storm Alert Day Thursday: Strong cold front to increase chances for severe storms, "For this individual to prey on what we consider to be one of the most vulnerable populations makes me speechless," said Sheriff Dennis Lemma. 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. The joint-task force operation will also keep highly addictive and dangerous opioids from ending up in the wrong hands, deputies said. The ring was selling high-grade level marijuana valued a $4,300 to $4,500 a pound. The sheriff said officials are working with the state attorney's office to make sure there is swift consequences for dealers. The investigation, known as "Operation Sundown," took down two different networks that were distributing 750 bags of heroin laced with fentanyl every day. "Actually, it was more than 22,000 single dose packets of fentanyl and fentanyl laced heroin, Lemma said. UCF police confirmed that seven people arrested were students: David Cole, Christopher Tully, Rafael Leon, Jorge J. Henkle, Ronald Murray, Garrett Gibbons and Elijah Moore Jr. WFTV was at the UCF campus Thursday and nobody seemed surprised that several students moonlighted as drug dealers. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. But they admit, it is a pretty good place for that kind of business. Gilley was booked into jail on a $49,500 bond. Six arrested during Thursday drug bust in Hernando. 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. Everything you need to know about the next launch and detailed coverage on space missions. He ran an aquatic landscaping business on the side and she thought that was where all the extra money was coming from. At least one member, Quentin Wilson, 40, was a suspected dealer theyd had their eyes on for years. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - The operator of a Florida drug rehabilitation center has been arrested on charges of selling fentanyl and possession of cocaine out of her place of business and her home, deputies said. Search by. A marijuana operation brought in $750,000 per week and officers said they were selling mostly to University of Central Florida students. "Sheriff Lemma considers this increase to be partially caused by the unintended consequences of COVID-19, and he is concerned about what the status of the opioid epidemic will be once COVID-19 begins to clear," they said. Kristen Schaefer was arrested on a charge of possessing drug paraphernalia and four counts of possessing a controlled substance. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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. "Well, UCF being the third largest university in the country, it sounds like it, doesn't it?" Members of a suspected drug ring arrested this week brought 25 to 30 kilograms of cocaine into Central Florida every month, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said Friday. Lemma said the two groups were responsible for bringing in thousands of doses of heroin. Seminole County deputies bust million-dollar heroin, fentanyl drug rings (WFTV.com). While serving 14 search warrants early Thursday morning, agents arrested Suarez at his east Orange County home Read:Two more blood pressure medications recalled over cancer concerns, Read:Ticking noise from electric toothbrush prompts evacuation at Daytona Beach airport, Sheriff: 4 found dead, including child, at Brevard County home, Governor requests information from state attorneys office on accused Pine Hills shooters record, Human skull, 30 other bones found at New Smyrna Beach historical site, All aboard: Ride SunRail for free this Saturday, Breeze Airways adds 4 new routes from Orlando International Airport. Assault 02/20/2023 12:00 AM 1100 BLOCK OF CASTLE WOOD TERRACE Arrest 02/19/2023 12:00 AM 1300 BLOCK OF W 16TH ST Arrest 02/19/2023 12:00 AM 400 BLOCK OF E ORANGE ST Other 02/19/2023 12:00 AM 100 BLOCK OF VILLA DI ESTE TERRACE Arrest 02/19 . RAW INTERVIEW: I'm looking at the house, I'm looking at everything. Its difficult to re-establish that pattern of distribution, [and] everyones going to be a little more nervous now. Nearly $1 million worth of narcotics were seized by law enforcement - including five kilograms of fentanyl, two kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of methamphetamine, one kilogram of heroin and. They said that Gilley sold the narcotics to undercover agents at her place of business, as well as her home on 2nd Street in Altamonte Springs. "We rely on the community to be our eyes and ears. Drug arrests on campus are very few and far between, just four in 2007 and 10 in 2008. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that two highly organized drug distribution rings are off the streets. Lemma said tips from the public came in regarding Nicholas Britton. Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, center, with drugs and guns seized during a drug ring bust. In addition to the marijuana, deputies also came across items used to package and sell drugs such as labeled jars, stickers, and containers. "Kids smoke pot. Those who face drug charges need to take the matter very seriously. 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. Sheriff's office arrested 16 people Volusia County Sheriff's Office (WKMG 2021) VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - Sixteen people were arrested over a couple of days in a series of drug busts that. They have to see it," said Truett. Three people have been arrested in Citrus County in what Citrus County Sheriff's Office said is the largest crystal meth bust in agency history. Bravo and Robles are high-ranking members of the Latin Kings gang and were among 21 people arrested last week as part of a months-long drug operation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office . Watch FOX 35 Orlando for the latest Central Florida news. The investigation, known as "Operation Sundown," took down two different networks that were distributing 750 bags of heroin laced with fentanyl every day. Seminole County, Fla. The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said Thursday that two highly organized drug distribution rings are off the streets. The deputies also located a semi-automatic Sig Sauer firearm inside the residence. Will Christensen of the Seminole County Sheriffs Office. A five-month investigation by the Sheriff's Office and City County Investigative Bureau ended with more than a dozen Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) and felony arrests. 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. . In all, detectives had arrest warrants for 41 different suspects, many of whom were arrested in upscale homes in family neighborhoods. Subscribe to WDBO newsletter(Opens a new window), Seminole County deputies bust million-dollar heroin, fentanyl drug rings. The sheriff said this kind of raid won't solve all the problems with opioids. According to investigators, the heroin was not only being sold out of houses, incolding one house on Selma Road in Longwood where 62 grams of fentanyl were found, but dealers would meet up with addicts in parking lots all over the county to sell the dangerous drugs. She has since posted bond and was released. Lemma asks if you see suspicious activity, let his department know so that it can hopefully lead to more arrests down the road. Depending on the circumstances surrounding their arrest, some of the suspects may be charged with felony drug charges and others with misdemeanor drug charges. Phone: (407) 665-6650. 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. Police said they had received complaints for months of drug sales at a home at 1129 Arbor Glen Circle. Operation Sundown took nearly $300,000 worth of drugs off the streets, and most of the drugs seized are believed to be from the states. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma spoke on Tuesday about a significant drug bust. - A monthslong, multi-agency investigation named "Operation: Heavyweights" has resulted in 54 arrests and the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. I can't remember a week that we have not talked about this location. . Operation Sundown involved members of the city and county investigative bureau, who spent five months infiltrating two criminal enterprises. WFTV asked for a comment from UCF President John Hitt, but did not get a response from the administration. Low-grade marijuana sells for $500 a pound. The center offers treatment regardless of insurance coverage to those battling addiction. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They are great people that are the best at what they do! More than $430K, about 14 pounds of drugs seized in major Bay County bust. The joint-task force operation will also keep highly addictiveand dangerous opioids from ending up in the wrong hands, deputies said. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. The investigation has been turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. "Then why are you in custody?" Daily Booking Report. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. (video) | (images) Thorpe and Lacke wonder if the ring located there because of the potential market. You may be offline. Seminole County residents may safely dispose of old, expired or unwanted prescription medications at Prescription Drug Drop Off Boxes located at a variety of locations throughout the county. SEMINOLE, Fla. - A man in Pinellas County is facing numerous charges after deputies discovered nearly 200 pounds of marijuana inside his home. County Judges of Brevard. 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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. You know, you cut one head off, three more are going to pop up, said Sgt. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. "They have cameras. Reporter. America's third largest university, with 53,000 students, turned out to be a huge draw for the dealers. In a sting that same night, officers said its detectivesuncovered a pair of handguns, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, synthetic marijuana andMDMAspread out across half of the motels rooms. Crime Map. College students smoke marijuana more frequently than any other age group in the country. Florida State Senate District 10. as he was taken into custody for allegedly selling the drug. Undercover agents in Seminole County, Florida, have arrested 19 people who were either connected to a pill selling ring or because they sold marijuana. The Bay County Sheriff's Office announced more than 55 grams of fentanyl were taken off the streets after two separate drug busts in the. All Rights Reserved. The Seminole County sheriff says two groups that were pumping heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine throughout Seminole County are out of business. 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