Speaking from the county's . 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. Godoy is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. [CDATA[ (Polk County Sheriff's Office). Officials said that several suspects who were directly involved with opioid overdose death investigations were arrested. 0:00. Legal Statement. Fred Hiers. Sources said the group has also been known to host illegal poker games with other associates. In addition to the thousands of dollars the dealers were making by selling drugs, they were also collecting welfare benefits. 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. The Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) is an initiative of the North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). FDOC Probation Officers visited the home of Daniel Battisti, located at 11 South Washington, Beverly Hills, as part of a routine probation check. March 24, 2020. Marion County Sheriff's Office Makes Major Drug Bust In Ocala. Millard K. Ives of the Star-Banner contributed to this report. Ron DeSantis said the bust marked the biggest drug seizure in the county's history. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ]. 0. It all stemmed from a shooting on Sunday. Maria Widdows, 29, 3604 Glenoak Drive South, Lakeland is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Strow estimates the ring has been responsible for distributing 20 kilograms, or about 40 pounds, of cocaine each week in Marion County. During the course of the investigation, detectives and agents learned two of those involved in the methamphetamine network were Josh Widdows, 30, of 5339 Meadow Grove Trail, Lakeland, and TJ Scott, 24, of 7708 Glen Meadow Drive, Lakeland. Derrick Price was released from jail on August 9, 2014, at 5:17 a.m. [UPDATED On January 28, 2016, at 9:57p.m.]. The local facilitator for the drug buy, identified as 28-year-old Ignacio Rodriguez, told detectives the source in Mexico would only deal in large amounts and that the price of the drug fluctuated based on its quality. "We got word several years ago that he was 'back in,' " Howie said. 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. Dioscelina Galaraza-Ozorio, 33, of 2322 View Way, Lakeland is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. The residents, 32-year-old Sylvester Welcome and 27-year-old Sharla Welcome, as well as 36-year-old Daniel Harshman, were all arrested. Jose Godoy, 22, of 1108 Powerline Road, Davenport; Godoy is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 14 grams. Alfredo Ortiz-Hernandez, 25, of 750 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, California is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic in Meth over 200 grams, Trafficking in Meth over 200 grams. pic.twitter.com/ih10AhQAlx. All rights reserved. Antifreeze and hand sanitizer are not the same thing, How to bypass Floridas unemployment online waiting queue, Major issues with latest Windows 10 update, especially for teachers and students, Two camera apps removed from Google Play, consumers should immediately delete them, I-75 northbound lanes closed following fatal crash, Letter to the Editor: Stop allowing Crystal River to be destroyed, Deputy drives his car into a retention ditch, Bright Beginnings Learning Academy & Preschool is Now Enrolling new students, hurry before seats are full, Do not call 911 to report people setting off fireworks, not an emergency and its legal, Crystal River teen arrested, attempted to sell stolen gun via Snapchat. Yes, you read correctly. Marion County Sheriff's Office Makes Major Drug Bust In Ocala. Joseph Workman, 52, of 18 West Bass Street Orlando, was arrested in Osceola County and charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 14 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 14 grams, Unlawful use of Two- Way Communication Device. 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. Lopez is charged with Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, a life felony; Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency, $100,000 or more, first degree felony; Possession of a Place or Structure used for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, a second degree felony. This all went down at two homes in Silver Springs. 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. A search of court records did not return any prior arrests for Pressley. Reach out for help, he said. Diaz and Rodriguez were arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail on Tuesday. The victim in the shooting originally went to the home to buy some marijuana. 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. Once probation officers located illegal drugs, they relayed the information to detectives, who then secured the residence and obtained a search warrant. 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. 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. Rodriguez had his bond set at $10,000 and Diaz had his bond set at $35,000. UDEST is a federally funded initiative comprised of local and federal agents from the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Ocala Police Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration . 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 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. Fentanyl is an extremely lethal substance thats being mixed with other drugs throughout our community right now, Douglas said. According to investigators, the fentanyl was manufactured in Mexico and trafficked into the U.S. to be made into synthetic pills and sold on the streets. Demasco Candid Lugo, 30, of 908 Ruth Avenue, Lakeland is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams. Danielle Campbell, 26, of 9555 Kingsbury Court, Windermere is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Very big bust, very, very happy with our Major Crimes Unit, UDEST, and were excited to do more of this for Ocala, OPD Public Information Officer, Corie Byrd said. Tyler Scott is wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine, Sale of Methamphetamine and Own or Rent Structure for Knowingly Selling Drugs. Joshua Widdows is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Criminal Arrest History includes Burglary; Grand Theft; Criminal Mischief, Theft of Fire Extinguisher, Burglary Conveyance, Shoplifting; 2003-Felony Criminal Mischief; 2004-Felony Criminal Mischief. //