WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader"Gulf Cartel" Arrests-- Washington County Press Release

On the evening of Monday, February 6^th, over 70 officers from Washington County Sheriff's Office, Chipley Police Department, Bay County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security/ICE, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), K-9 Units from Northwest Florida Reception Center, Holmes Correctional, Okaloosa Correctional and Walton Correctional served 3 search warrants on residences at Jeter Lane, Miller's Ferry Road and Holmes Valley Road in Washington County.

The investigation, which spanned over several months, focused on a Mexican cartel known as the Gulf Cartel, which was responsible for the transportation of drugs from McAllen, Texas to safe houses in Washington County which were then used as major distributions points for drugs that were sold in Bay County, several neighboring counties, as well as larger cities including Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville, FL.

During the course of the operation, several suspects fled into the surrounding woods near the Choctawhatchee River.  Through the use of both Department of Corrections K9 and federal air support, 9 suspects were arrested Monday evening.  Officers, assisted by K9 teams redeployed in the early morning hours of Tuesday February 7^th, which resulted in the apprehension of two additional suspects.  Officers continued their search until 10:30 p.m. Tuesday evening.  On Wednesday, February 8^th, K9 teams resumed the search and through the assistance of a citizen tip, the 12^th suspect was taken into custody.   

During the raid, over 75 weapons, 217 bundles of marijuana with a total weight of 2,742 lbs, and $617,891 in cash were seized.

"A raid of this magnitude takes a tremendous amount of support and the seamless effort of local, state and federal agencies" states Sheriff Haddock.  "When we hear about a major operation being dismantled in our county, we rarely have insight into the inception of the investigation.  In this case, it was old fashioned police work by our local law enforcement officers whose initiative and attention to detail is the reason we are able to report such a successful raid.  Our guys came together with Homeland Security/ICE with a common goal, eliminating this threat in Washington County.  Today, our community is a safer place to live."

Arrested was:

Alberto Gomez

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Jesus A. Gonzales

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Alejandro Amaya

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Charles A. Armstrong

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Rufus D. Curington

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Joseph K. Jeter

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

James Moore

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Daniel Nunez

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Jamie Rodriguez-Sandoval

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Yerryn Tumbajoy

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

James Paul Walker

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

Jesus Servado Rodriguez Sandoval

• Conspiracy/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana

All suspects were charged federally and are being held at the Bay County Jail. 

"We can't help but take it personal when our county is used as a hub for this type of illegal drug activity" states Chief Kevin Crews.  "At the end of the day, we will do what it takes to let these guys know our city and county are not safe havens for narcotics operations large or small.  It is because of the responsiveness of all involved we can put these suspects behind bars."

The Washington County Drug Task Force asks that anyone with information on illegal drug activity contact us at 638-TIPS (8477) or by email at tips@wcso.us. 

Press Release Provided by the Washington County Sheriff's Office