Historic Fentanyl Bust in Polk County

A drug bust in Polk County ended in the arrest of eight cartel members and the seizure of $4.5 million worth of fentanyl—enough to kill 14.5 million people.

In what the sheriff’s office called the largest fentanyl seizure in the county’s history, 64 pounds of fentanyl were confiscated in two separate multi-agency undercover investigations targeting the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.

The investigation into the Sinaloa Cartel began in July 2024, when counterfeit fentanyl pills disguised as blue oxycodone pills were discovered being trafficked from Sonora, Mexico, to Phoenix, Arizona, and then to Florida.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel investigation led to the arrest of six suspects and the seizure of 29 pounds of fentanyl. Some of the drugs were concealed inside fake car batteries to evade detection.

Walton County Beaches Public Again

Gov. Ron DeSantis repealed a law signed by former Gov. Rick Scott that limited public access to beaches and barred local governments from passing ordinances regarding customary use.

The legislation restores public beach access in Walton County, where conflicts between beachfront property owners and visitors have intensified since the 2018 law privatized large stretches of previously public beaches.

The law also eliminates government regulation for beach restoration projects for areas declared critically eroded, allowing immediate restoration work to begin. 

Cities and counties can now adopt ordinances recognizing recreational customary use, such as walking, fishing, sunbathing, and swimming, without obtaining a judicial declaration.

New Derelict Vessel Law

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new state law this week that addresses abandoned, dilapidated boats in state waters. The measure increases penalties for violations of the Sunshine State’s derelict vessel laws and provides grants for local governments to remove the dangerous public nuisances.

The measure also creates a free, long-term anchoring permit program starting Jan. 1, 2026, for boat owners who want to affix their ships within one nautical mile of an anchorage point for 14 days or more within a 30-day period.

In April, lawmakers unanimously passed the measure, sponsored by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and Rep. Fabián Basabe, both Miami-Dade County Republicans.

Under SB 164, vessel owners who violate long-term anchoring mandates starting July 1 will be subject to penalties ranging from a $100 fine to a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in damages.

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➤ Orange County: State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis won the special Democratic primary on Tuesday, defeating her brother, former State Sen. Randolph Bracy, as well as former U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson and attorney Coretta Anthony-Smith. (More)

➤ Raiford: Thomas Gudinas, 51, was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday after an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was rejected. Gudinas was convicted of first-degree murder in 1995 for the rape and murder of 27-year-old Michelle McGrath in Orlando. (More)

➤ Kennedy Space Center: SpaceX’s newest Dragon spacecraft launched on its debut mission Wednesday, sending the four-person Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station for Houston-based company Axiom Space. (See Launch)

➤ Seminole County: Commissioners proposed raising property taxes for the first time since 2009 as part of a $1.2 billion county budget, an increase of about 12% over last year. (See Details)

➤ Tampa: A high school teacher pleaded guilty to her role in smuggling firearms in a punching bag for a Trinidadian transnational criminal organization. (More)

➤ Brevard County: Essential bridges, which are key evacuation routes, are being restored through a $1 million FDOT project after sustaining damage during Hurricane Milton. (See Video)

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➤ The Miami Heat selected Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis with the No. 20 pick in Round 1 of the NBA draft last night, while the Orlando Magic selected Michigan State’s Jase Richardson in the 25th spot. (More)

➤ The Miami Marlins won their second consecutive game on Tuesday, defeating the San Francisco Giants 4-2 in their series opening matchup. (Highlights)

➤ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced they will wear their iconic “creamsicle” jerseys on December 11 against the division rival Atlanta Falcons. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ ARKHAUS, a floating social club off the coast of Miami, acquired solar-electric yacht builder Arkup, forming The Ark Companies and a full-fledged tech hospitality ecosystem. (More)

➤ The Jacksonville Port Authority board granted JaxPort CEO Eric Green a five-year contract extension and a 15% raise, bringing his annual base salary to $550,000. (More)

➤ Ford Motor Co. recalled nearly 200,000 electric Mustangs because the door latches could fail, potentially trapping passengers in the back seat. (More)

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➤ Four Kentucky women on vacation in Marco Island were knocked unconscious by a bolt of lightning that struck the tiki hut they took shelter under during a storm at the beach. (More)

➤ University of Central Florida football revealed its new Nike core uniforms on Tuesday, introducing a new typeface called Knighted Eras that pays tribute to the Daunte Culpepper era. (See Photos)

➤ Churro, a young manatee, was released back into the wild after extensive care and a second rescue. (See Video)

➤ Vero Beach’s Burgers & Brews Festival kicks off Independence Day week on June 28 at Riverside Park. (See Details)

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Would you pay $32 for a grouper sandwich?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe, if I were hungry

Wednesday’s Results:

Have you ever been skydiving?

1. Yes: 25%
2. No: 75%

What stone fruit was brought to Florida by the Spaniards in 1833?

Show me the answer