Police: Hollywood Drug Ring Busted
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HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – Seven men walked out of the Hollywood Police Department on Wednesday afternoon in handcuffs charged with drug trafficking.
Hollywood Police Chief Tomas Sanchez said they are part of a major drug distribution ring in the city.
"They're all hardened criminals with lengthy criminal histories and hopefully these charges will lock them away," Sanchez said.
Sanchez said the drug gang was led by Jose Morales.
"We believe he's the main distributor," Sanchez said.
When detectives arrested Morales Wednesday morning at his home they said they found hard evidence of his crimes.
"We uncovered approximately half a kilo – 452 grams of heroin," Sanchez said.
That's worth upwards of $60,000, police said.
Investigators told CBS4 News they got information about the men operating on the city's east side, supplying drug dealers. And after a 10-month investigation they made they arrested seven men on Wednesday.
One man was already in jail and a ninth man, Roberto Cabrera, is believed to be on the run.
Police said they were assisted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Broward Sheriff's Office and the Miramar Police Department.
"It came known to us that (drug dealers) were all getting their heroin, their flakka and some cocaine and some marijuana from these individuals here," Sanchez said.
And one of the concerns for police, the rising use and danger associated with heroin.
"Heroin is the most addictive drug out there right now," Sanchez said.
And flakka is especially dangerous, too.
One of the men shouted out to reporters and photographers as he was being led from the police department.
"I'm 100 percent innocent," the man said.
But investigators believe that despite one of the men's claims of innocence, with these men locked up and off to jail, the city's residents can sleep a little easier.
"By dismantling this organization we certainly have made an impact making at least the streets of Hollywood much safer," Sanchez said.
Investigators told CBS4 they also bought a gun from this group and they believe that gun was used in another crime.
The arrest report indicates that Cabrera is believed to be the second in command of this organization.
If you know where he is, call Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.
