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. 2023 www.ocala.com. Law enforcement seize 275 marijuana plants in northeast Ocala drug bust By Staff Report September 15, 2021 Local law enforcement agencies seized 275 marijuana plants while investigating power theft at a northeast Ocala residence this week. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Jose Godoy, 22, of 1108 Powerline Road, Davenport; Godoy is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 14 grams. Criminal Arrest History: Traffic Amphetamine, Possession with Intent, Possession over 20 Grams, Keep Structure for Drug Activity, Possession of Drugs-Equipment. A second mate and a crew member have been arrested in the massive bust. and help keep the future of New Times, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. All rights reserved. Debra Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. 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. 0:00. Millard K. Ives of the Star-Banner contributed to this report. Miami's independent source of OCALA, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Ocala police have released a video showing a drug bust. Investigators identified the organizations source of methamphetamine supply as Javier Flores, aka: El Don. Flores resides in southern California and managed large scale methamphetamine shipments to Lakeland, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, and Las Vegas, Nevada through southern California from Mexico. Castro Solache and Mondragon are charged with conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl. 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Starks is being held on $121,000 bond while Price is being held on $135,500 bond. He has a long history of incarceration for crimes stretching back nearly two decades, including a three-month stint in prison for aggravated assault with a weapon out of St. Johns County and possession of a firearm by a felon. Florida Gov. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Officials say it seems as though the Obama administration is going out of their way to release inmates that are currently or were previously in the drug business. Northwest Florida / 1 day ago. Voodo Meth Flowchart [Click to enlarge or preview slide show]Polk County, Florida This investigation directly impacts Central Florida as a whole. Copyright 2021 WCJB. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. the largest drug seizures in United States history," U.S. Attorney for the . All rights reserved. Both men were taken into custody on October 12 and told detectives they were being paid to collect money for the fentanyl drug dealer in Mexico. Dandridge was reportedly there to pay suppliers for marijuana that had been dropped off at his home off Southwest 80th Avenue, at 7848 N.W. More . The Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team initiated an investigation that spanned three (3) months. Eliezer Rodriguez Merced, 32,of 54 Pinetree Road Lawrenceville, Goergia 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. Five people were arrested. The UDEST commander cited the recent arrest of 26-year-old Noah Steven Francis, of Summerfield, as one of the biggest his team has made. FDOC Probation Officers visited the home of Daniel Battisti, located at 11 South Washington, Beverly Hills, as part of a routine probation check. News. LEE COUNTY, Fla. Deputies arrested six people Wednesday in the largest drug bust to ever hit Lee County. He also has a history with law enforcement. "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 that's caused by this deadly drug," Douglas said. The residents, 32-year-old Sylvester Welcome and 27-year-old Sharla Welcome, as well as 36-year-old Daniel Harshman, were all arrested. Mondragon, 34, of 600 S.W. Castro Solache told detectives he and the supplier in Mexico wanted to establish a portion of their drug trafficking operation in Polk County and that he was going to move to the county and take responsibility for handling operations for the Mexican cartels. Johnson, 518 Bahia Track Court, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in marijuana and cocaine. Crystal River, FL (34429) Today. Marcus Starks, 35, of Marion Oaks, the brother of K.C. 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. Diaz and Rodriguez were arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail on Tuesday. Feds Plan to Seize Russian Oligarch's Luxe Fisher Island Properties, Miami Canal Flooded With Turd Water From Contractor-Involved Pipe Break, Collapse of "Let's Go Brandon" Meme Coin Sparks Billion-Dollar Court Battle, Gator Gets in on the Action at Tampa Bay Horse Race, Readers Warn of Traffic, "Bloodsport" Driving After. 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. Reach out for help, he said. He also faces a July 25 arraignment. "This poison is coming into the country across the border from Mexico, and we are going to continue our investigation into the Mexican drug cartels who are killing innocent people," Judd said in a statement. Fred Hiers. Fentanyl is an extremely lethal substance thats being mixed with other drugs throughout our community right now, Douglas said. When police were investigating on Monday, they found what they believed to be drug activity, and they were right. UNIFIED DRUG ENFORCEMENT STRIKE TEAM . Jason Andreo James, 41, faces several . Detectives negotiated the purchase of $60,000 worth of fentanylon September 19. The organization included a network of couriers, managers, distributors and customers. 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Francis was charged with armed trafficking in Fentanyl (over 200 grams); armed trafficking in crystal methamphetamine (over 28 grams); possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; child neglect; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of a structure for distribution of controlled substances; possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon; possession of drug paraphernalia and warrants for past charges of trafficking in cocaine (28 grams or more) and possession of cannabis with intent to sell, manufacture or distribute. Castro Solache is in the country illegally and has a Border Patrol hold in the Polk County Jail. 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. Criminal arrest history: 1992-DUI; 2005-Cocaine Trafficking; 2006-Amphetamine or Meth 14 grams or over; Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Possession of Marijuana over 20 Grams, Keep a Public Structure for Burglary Activity and Paraphernalia. 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. Legal Statement. Its terrifying that number of people can die at the hands of a drug dealer that wants to turn a quick profit, and for those people that are watching this press conference later on, let me say this, I know that there are addicts out there that are going to see this, and Im going to ask you to do this, reach out for help. Fla. 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