UDEST is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Starks, was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone and Possession of Cocaine. During an executed search warrant, at a duplex home on NE 3rd Street in Ocala, detectives found more than six pounds of marijuana, narcotics including fentanyl, guns and other stolen items. Diaz and Rodriguez were arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail on Tuesday. (Polk County Sheriff's Office). "You don't get to that level without having connections; anticipate more arrests as result of spin-off organizations," Strow said. Updated: Apr. Taking this much Fentanyl off the streets was a huge win for the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team in Marion County and Ocala because we prevented countless overdose deaths thats caused by this deadly drug, Douglas said. The ring had been importing cocaine and marijuana from Atlanta and Volusia County and selling the drugs here. Mondragon was released on bond on October 17. This may be the biggest meth bust in American history . All rights reserved. I believe that if we try hard enough we can do anything, Douglas said. He said since OPD started tracking drugs in the community in 2017, just in Ocala proper, police have responded to roughly 900 over dose incidents. The update was supposed to apply several security fixes, but, instead, the update caused numerous Two malicious Android apps with over 1.5 million combined downloads, one of which has been on the app store for two years, have been 2013 Citrus Gazette, a subsidiary of Jaguar Media Holdings, LLC. A search of court records did not return any prior arrests for Pressley. Strow noted that in his 34 years with the Sheriff's Office, "shutting down this drug ring will have more of an impact on drug trafficking in Marion County than I've ever seen in my career.". Six drug dealers, four men and two women, were arrested following an United Drug Enforcement Strike Team investigation. Six drug dealers, four men and two women, were arrested following an United Drug Enforcement Strike Team investigation. Hugo Lopez Esquivel, 33, of 54 Pinetree Road Lawrenceville, Georgia is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency $50,000 or More and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Criminal Arrest History: August 16, 1995 arrest for Retail Theft, by the Polk County Sheriffs Office, November 20, 1995 arrest for Aggravated Battery and Retail Theft, by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office, July 27, 1997 arrest for Failure to Appear, and Operation of a Motor Vehicle without a License, by the Orange County Sheriffs Office, May 28, 2003 arrest for Battery, by the Polk County Sheriffs Office, July 17, 2006 arrest for Trafficking Methamphetamine over 14 Grams, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While License Suspended, by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office, May 29, 209 Criminal Registration, by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office and October 3, 2013 arrest for Trafficking Methamphetamine Over 14 Grams, Child Neglect, Possession of a Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, by the Osceola County Sheriffs Office. Both deputies recovered. OCALA, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Ocala police have released a video showing a drug bust. Reach out to your local police department, your sheriffs office, ask for that help. FIve arrested in Ocala drug bust. a whopping$1.4 billion worth of cocaine and weed. K.C. 2013 Ocala Post, a subsidiary of Jaguar Media Holdings, LLC. Eddie Perez, 36, of Marion Oaks, was charged with Selling Oxycodone(x2), Possession of Oxycodone (x2), Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Hydrocodone, Possession of Sustanon(steroids), Possession of Viagra, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. ocala-legacy. Recently, Eric Holder and President Obama announced they want law enforcement agencies to be lenient on drug dealers and individuals arrested for drug offences. Capone" and "one minute to pray, a second to die" on his right arm. . The owners of Pirate's Cove (3.9 acres of land on the Gulf) say they will try and subdivide the property to build new homes Doctors in Britain reported severe allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine shortly after it had been administered. Javier Flores, between 35-40 years of age and known resident of California is wanted for Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency $100,000 or More, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. The 238-pound, 5-foot, 11-inch Dandridge sports a variety of tatoos, including the word "outlaw" on his stomach and "in memory of W.D. The long-term investigation culminated on Thursday, August 7, 2014, at approximately 5:50 a.m., when the UDEST, along with the assistance of the Marion County Sheriffs Office, and Ocala Police Department SWAT Teams, executed five (5) search warrants. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. Strow said that even though Dandridge didn't have a "day job," he was able to afford a $100,000 truck and $75,000 motorcycle. The ring had been importing cocaine and marijuana from Atlanta and Volusia County and selling the drugs here. Johnson, 518 Bahia Track Court, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and cocaine. Nicole Radank, 33, of Ocala, was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone, Possession of an Altered Firearm, Possession of Cocaine (x2), Selling Cocaine, Possession of Xanax, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Derrick Price, 43, of Marion Oaks was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone (x3), Selling Cocaine (x3), Possession of Cocaine (x3), Armed Trafficking in Cocaine, Armed Trafficking in Oxycodone, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Methadone, Possession of Xanax, and Resisting Arrest. FDOC Probation Officers visited the home of Daniel . Market data provided by Factset. During the arrests, agents seized 17 kilos of cocaine and more than 250 pounds of marijuana, 20 firearms, 10 vehicles and approximately $700,000 in cash. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and the Microsoft released Windows 10 update KB4549951 on April 14. Five people were arrested. Joel Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Britain health officials then notified the CDC. Law enforcement seized over $1 million in cash, 12 firearms, multiple kilos of cocaine and fentanyl, and several high-end vehicles which are believed to have been purchased with money from drug . Probation officers had communicated their suspicions of illegal activity to TIU, who were standing by as probation searched the residence. Also, on Tuesday, March 18th, detectives arrested 13 suspects, seized tens of thousands of dollars, seven vehicles, approximately 100 weapons, bullet-proof vests and thousands of rounds of ammunition. She can be reached at 732-7159 or laura.byrnes@starbanner.com. Do you think Florida should drug test welfare recipients or prevent felons that have been convicted of alcohol or drug related offenses from receiving assistance? Both men are due back in court on October 19 at 9 a.m., according to jail records. independent local journalism in Miami. Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd is demanding answers. Collectively, the street value of these illegal substances is estimated to be $970,000, the largest street value seizure in the agencys history. A man is in jail after the largest marijuana bust in Escambia County history. or redistributed. Investigators also learned Lopez and Flores consulted a Voodoo priest who would provide predictions, prophecies and readings regarding the organizations decisions and welfare. Widdows and Scott were known to associate with Matthew Tutt, the man responsible for shooting and severely injuring two PCSO deputies in June 2010. 0:37. During an executed search warrant, at a duplex home on NE 3rd Street in Ocala, detectives found more than six pounds of marijuana, narcotics including fentanyl, guns and other stolen items. The victim in the shooting originally went to the home to buy some marijuana. NOW PLAYING ABOVE. The Riviera Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, located at, 1935 SE US Highway At a June 18, 2020, emergency meeting of the Crystal River City Council, members voted unanimously to postpone the 2020 fireworks display to a An Illinois family used the obituary of their loved one who allegedly had passed away from COVID-19 to blame anti-vaxxers for her death. A second mate and a crew member have been arrested in the massive bust. Local facilitator Ignacio Rodriguez showed up to the meeting with undercover detectives with two kilos of fentanyl hidden in a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal box and three kilos concealed in a yellow Igloo cooler. Maria Widdows, 29, 3604 Glenoak Drive South, Lakeland is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Out of 25 suspects in the organization, 11 are currently receiving Federal/public assistance, and one suspect, Ma-Concepcion Lopez, that had previously been deported, is back in the United States illegally, and is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Today, November 3, 2021, Chick-fil-A is, Citrus Springs Middle School teacher remains behind bars, Dunnellon -- Citrus Springs Middle School teacher, Jeffrey Brake, was still behind bars on August 20, following his arrest. During a July 13 press conference, officials said Dandridge was arrested outside Pepe's restaurant on West State Road 40 in the Martel area. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW. Melonie Holt Market data provided by Factset. According to a press release from the Ocala Police Department and Marion County Sheriffs Office, employees of Clay Electric reached out to UDEST agents after they noticed an irregularity in service at a residence and, upon investigation, discovered the power was being diverted to a large metal building on the property for the purposes of growing marijuana. All rights reserved. Ortiz-Hernandez was the currier hauling the 44 pounds of meth he was arrested at Loves Truck Stop on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. Rodriguez showed up to the meeting in Polk County with five of the six kilograms. As a result of an investigation that began October 2013, on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, Polk County Sheriffs Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force detectives, along with members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Orlando District Office, Florida Attorney Generals Office of Statewide Prosecution, and Lake County Sheriffs Office detectives, identified 25 suspects involved in an organized drug trafficking enterprise. (See Attachment for Criminal Arrest History). Douglas added that in the first quarter of this year, UDEST arrested more than 80 people some of which are listed below with charges ranging from possession to drug trafficking. Robert Douglas, who oversees the unit comprised of local, state and federal law enforcement agents. Starks is being held on $121,000 bond while Price is being held on $135,500 bond. The high-volume of drug trafficking bought Dandridge a lifestyle flashy enough to "pop up on the radar screen." DRUG DEALER ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH FLORIDA MAN'S FENTANYL OVERDOSE DEATH, 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. Fred Hiers. Ocala Police Department honors first African American female officer, Fire ignites inside vacant mobile home in Belleview, Pavement repairs to cause temporary lane closures on several Marion County roads, Marion County Public Schools to host Career Camp for adults, Ocala man charged with DUI after leading Marion County deputies on high-speed chase, Legends of the Fort returns to Fort King in April, tickets now on sale, Ocala Recreation and Parks Department hiring seasonal lifeguards, One hospitalized after rollover crash on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, Resident discusses lack of reliable cellphone service in Ocala, Two Ocala residents voice concerns on rising electric bills, added charges, Two more residents voice their concerns on cellphone service in Ocala/Marion County. We want to hear from you. Guy Howie, head of the county's multi-agency drug task force, said Dandridge was suspected of returning to the drug trade soon after his release. The victim in the shooting originally went to the home to buy some marijuana. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Voodo Meth Flowchart [Click to enlarge or preview slide show]Polk County, Florida This investigation directly impacts Central Florida as a whole. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Joshua Widdows is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. "We're hoping this would be a shot into the body of the drug dealers and take the wind out of the organization," said Capt. This afternoon Im at @ocalapd for a press conference with UDEST to speak on the opioid epidemic and the arrest of 83 people involved with drugs in Marion Co. @WCJB20 @MCSOFlorida pic.twitter.com/3qW2x9taCc. Sheriff Judd wants to know how an illegal Mexican of whom is a convicted felon was able to cross over the border making reentry into the United States, travel to Florida, then walk into a public assistance office where she was able to obtain welfare. Warrants were served at 13785 SW 42nd Court Road, Marion Oaks; 14310 SW 39th Court Road, Marion Oaks; 2713 SW 15th St, Ocala; 1240 SE County Road 484, Apartment E1; and 1240 SE CR 484, Apartment E2. We can help you take control away from the drug dealers and in so doing maybe save your own life and the life of somebody else.. Strow estimates the ring has been responsible for distributing 20 kilograms, or about. Mario Alberto Castro Solache, 29, and Pedro Mondragon, 27, drove from North Carolina to Polk County on October 11 to meet with undercover detectives about another fentanyl sale. This search led to the arrest of Jeffery Conner for five counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Florida authorities arrested three suspects and seized more than 11 pounds of fentanyl as part of an undercover drug trafficking bust. local news and culture, The #Florida @USCG Cutter Valiant took down a narco sub carrying 12k lbs of cocaine in the #EasternPacific, cutting approximately $165 mil from smuggler pockets.More info and photos here: https://t.co/mSb28nTIzF pic.twitter.com/hS5kRVtV3f, Someone was dreaming of a white ChristmasApproximately 74 lbs of cocaine was found by a fisherman about 15 miles offshore and south of Sugarloaf Key in federal waters.All packages were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol. Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken spoke about this drug epidemic in the city during the press conference. Mary Pressley, 23, of Ocala, was charged with Trafficking in Oxycodone and Possession of Cocaine. March 24, 2020. The big scale when you look at it, and you look at the big picture, some would say its something we just cant beat, I dont believe that. Ocala, Florida -- On June 1, 2021,, FDA: Rat meat being served as chicken in Chinese and, Have you ever wondered what rat meat would taste like? Marcus, Pressley, and Perez are back on the streets. Sanyustiz is currently receiving Federal/public assistance, Laura Caton, 35, of 2718 Sample Street, Kissimmee, Caton is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 14 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Tyler Scott is wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine, Sale of Methamphetamine and Own or Rent Structure for Knowingly Selling Drugs. Sheriff Grady Judd promises that he will find the remaining fugitives and lock them up from civilization. Ocala Newspaper - News without hiding the truth, Sheriff outraged: illegal immigrant drug dealers on food stamps, See Attachment for Criminal Arrest History, Rebekah Jones created revenge site, posted nudes of, A police report obtained by Ocala Post from Tallahassee shows that Rebekah Jones, the woman who claimed, (UNCUT VIDEO) Florida woman gets naked, caused, [Last edited on June 4, 2021, at 1:03 p.m., to include uncut video.] Dandridge faces one first-degree felony charge of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, and conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, both second-degree felonies. Balken also sent out a message to those who are struggling with drug addiction. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Getting that fentanyl off the street is a really big deal. Drugs, guns, and thousands of dollars were seized. All rights reserved. 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