Operation Beneath the Surface: 17 Arrested, Cecil Trimble Cocaine Trafficking Ring Seized in Martin County

Two men are facing charges after authorities said they seized about 180 pounds of cocaine as part of a large-scale drug trafficking investigation in the Pittsburgh area. Darnell Rhinehart and Lamar Lewis were arrested on drug and firearms charges after FBI Pittsburgh said law enforcement seized 80 kilograms of cocaine on Monday night. The FBI said investigators watched Rhinehart on video surveillance loading multiple brown cardboard boxes from a tractor-trailer into the bed of his vehicle on Monday afternoon, arriving and leaving within just two minutes. Authorities said they tracked Rhinehart to a Pittsburgh bar several hours later and watched as Lewis parked his pickup truck near Rhinehart's vehicle and took four brown cardboard boxes. Lewis then placed a heavy bag in Rhinehart's vehicle before driving away, the FBI said. A traffic stop on Lewis' vehicle turned up 50 kilograms of cocaine as well as a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was later confirmed as stolen, investigators said. Authorities continued trailing Rhinehart, who was later seen picking up a red backpack from a home before driving to another Pittsburgh bar. He walked into the bar with the bag and left without it, the FBI said, and when authorities arrested Rhinehart, they found 5 kilograms of cocaine in the backpack. Several more searches at locations associated with Rhinehart turned up 35 more kilograms of cocaine in cardboard boxes as well as "large sums" of cash and a shotgun, the FBI said. "Seizing 80 kilos of cocaine means taking away profits and the power that money can buy right out of the hands of international criminal organizations," FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec said in a news release. "Shipments like this represent money flowing right back to groups that rule through violence and fear. Cocaine trafficking is not a victimless crime, and the FBI and our partners will use every tool at our disposal to keep ridding our communities of these deadly narcotics."

DENVER — Seventeen people were arrested, and authorities seized several pounds of cocaine and weapons, including pipe bombs, in a major drug distribution network takedown, Denver District Attorney John Walsh announced Thursday. The DA’s office said the 17 suspects allegedly sold drugs in bulk and retail quantities throughout the Denver metro area, including along E. Colfax Avenue. They did not say when the investigation took place or release the suspects’ names and list of charges. All told, authorities said the operation led to the seizure of approximately 46 firearms, five pipe bombs, 15 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $100,000, nine vehicles, $100,000 worth of jewelry and $35,000 in cash. The operation was a lengthy joint investigation involving the Denver District Attorney's Office, the FBI's Violent Criminal Enterprise Task Force and the Denver Police Department, the DA’s office said. “Getting illegal guns and drugs off the street of Denver are top priorities for our office, and operations like this are an important part of making that happen. I want to thank our partners with the FBI, the Denver Police Department and the entire Task Force, whose outstanding, collaborative work resulted in the charges in this case,” Walsh said in a news release. FBI and Denver police officials also praised the collaboration, calling the case a significant step toward dismantling an alleged criminal network operating across the metro area.

Listen to article (english) Translate text to Spanish or other 102 languages! Texas Border Business LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Laredo Field Office ports of entry seized cocaine valued at more than $984,000 in two separate enforcement actions. The most seizure occurred on Saturday, June 13, at Camino Real Bridge in Eagle Pass, when a CBP officer referred a 53-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 2015 Toyota Camry for secondary inspection. Following a nonintrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered 13 packages containing a total of 22.97 pounds of suspected cocaine hidden within the vehicle. The narcotics have a street value of $306,723. The other seizure occurred on Friday, June 12, at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge in Laredo, when a CBP officer referred a 56-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 2020 Nissan Frontier pickup for secondary inspection. Following a thorough canine and nonintrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered 20 packages containing a total of 50.75 pounds of suspected cocaine hidden within the vehicle. The narcotics have a street value of $677,617. In each enforcement action, CBP seized the narcotics and the vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested the drivers and are investigating both seizures. “These back-to-back cocaine seizures at different ports of entry within the Laredo Field Office area of responsibility underscore not only the reality of the drug threat we face daily, but our officers’ keen ability to apply inspection experience and technology to take down these drug loads,” said Director, Field Operations Donald R. Kusser, Laredo Field Office. “These drugs will not reach American streets thanks to the continuous vigilance of our frontline officers.”

Portuguese authorities have intercepted a vessel carrying 4,842 kilogrammes of cocaine in a major international counter-narcotics operation in the Atlantic Ocean.... ByKazeem Kasali August 14, 2026 4:15 AM GMT+1 Portuguese authorities have intercepted a vessel carrying 4,842 kilogrammes of cocaine in a major international counter-narcotics operation in the Atlantic Ocean. The operation followed intelligence gathered by the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South), which detected and tracked a suspicious “go-fast” vessel travelling from the coast of South America into the Atlantic. ADVERTISEMENT According to the account, JIATF-South monitored the vessel as smugglers transferred the illicit cargo to a large container ship and relayed real-time intelligence to the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre-Narcotics (MAOC-N). Acting on the intelligence, Portugal’s Polícia Judiciária, Portuguese Navy and Portuguese Air Force intercepted the container ship about 173 nautical miles southwest of the Azores. The authorities boarded the vessel, recovered 4,842kg of cocaine and arrested three suspects. ADVERTISEMENT The operation involved cooperation between agencies from the United States, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Spain, including JIATF-South, MAOC-N, the UK’s National Crime Agency and Spain’s Policía Nacional. The seizure highlights the growing importance of international intelligence-sharing and coordinated maritime operations in disrupting transatlantic drug-trafficking networks. August 17, 2026 August 17, 2026 August 16, 2026 August 16, 2026

A months-long investigation dubbed "Operation Beneath the Surface" has resulted in the arrest of 17 people and the seizure of four kilograms of cocaine, marking one of the most significant drug busts in the Booker Park area of Indiantown in Martin County's history. Watch the full press conference below: Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek announced the results of the multi-agency operation at a press conference, flanked by federal partners from the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. The investigation targeted a cocaine trafficking organization led by Cecil Trimble, a career criminal who was operating under the guise of a car detailing business in Indiantown. "Four kilos of cocaine might not sound like a lot to you, but that's one of the most significant amounts of drugs we've ever gotten out of the Booker Park area in Martin County's history," Budensiek said. The investigation began when Martin County Sheriff's Office narcotics detectives started working with informants and conducting undercover purchases. They initially focused on two younger suspects, Khalil Thompson and Christopher Wilson, who appeared to have an unlimited supply of cocaine. The investigation quickly led detectives to Trimble, who was identified as the main supplier. Trimble, who was on federal probation for a previous cocaine trafficking conviction, was running his operation from a car detailing business that served as a front. Through surveillance and undercover operations, investigators obtained court-ordered wiretaps on Trimble, Thompson, Wilson, and Janarie Jones. The wiretaps revealed that Trimble was supplying cocaine throughout Martin County and beyond, including dealers in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, and using "mules" to transport drugs to Daytona Beach. During the investigation, authorities intercepted Antonio Honor on I-95 with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol, seizing one kilogram of cocaine. Another suspect, Chiquita Adamson, was also identified as a mule transporting cocaine to the Daytona Beach area. In addition to the four kilograms of cocaine, authorities seized three ounces of methamphetamine, two pounds of marijuana, and eight firearms. The street value of the seized drugs ranges from $100,000 to $200,000, according to investigators. The 20 defendants face more than 200 felony charges combined, with 16 of the suspects having previous criminal histories involving cocaine sales, possession, or trafficking. The top four defendants - Trimble, Thompson, Wilson, and Jones - are facing racketeering charges. Budensiek noted that the investigation revealed a resurgence in cocaine trafficking, with wholesale prices dropping from $32,000 per kilogram to $20,000, indicating increased supply in the market. He attributed this trend to increased border security forcing traffickers to return to maritime smuggling routes reminiscent of the 1980s and 90s. "We went through the 80s and 90s, the crack cocaine nightmares that we had, and this is starting to come back, and we're trying to get ahead of that happening again," Budensiek said. The operation involved extensive collaboration between the Martin County Sheriff's Office and federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. Most of the cases will be prosecuted at the state level, though Trimble faces additional federal charges for violating his probation. 17 suspects are currently in custody, while authorities are still searching for three additional suspects. The investigation included the execution of three search warrants - two in Indiantown and one in Stuart. Sheriff Budensiek emphasized the impact on the Booker Park community, stating that residents "don't want this going on in their community, especially at this level." He expressed hope that removing this trafficking organization will help clean up the area and make Indiantown safer for law-abiding residents. This article was generated using AI assistance and has been reviewed for accuracy, style consistency with WPTV standards, and all facts were properly verified before publication.

See what’s happening and join the conversation Joint Interagency Task Force South@jiatfs🌊 MASSIVE INTERNATIONAL DRUG BUST: 4,842 KG OF COCAINE SEIZED! 🛑 1️⃣ The Detection: Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) assets detected and monitored a suspicious "Go-Fast" vessel traveling from the coast of South America, heading into the Atlantic. 2️⃣ The Chase: JIATF-South tracked the vessel across the ocean, feeding live updates to MAOC-N as smugglers transferred the illicit cargo to a massive container ship. 3️⃣ The Takedown: Acting on this shared intelligence, Portugal’s Polícia Judiciária, Marinha Portuguesa, and Força Aérea Portuguesa intercepted the ship 173 nautical miles southwest of the Azores. Our international partners boarded the vessel, successfully seized 4,842 kilograms of cocaine, and arrested three suspects. This massive win demonstrates the power of global cooperation in securing our oceans. Outstanding work by JIATF-South, MAOC-N, the UK's NCA, Portugal, and Spain's Policía Nacional! 🤝🌍#MaritimeSecurity#DrugInterdiction#JIATFSouth#MAOCN#GlobalPartnerships#CounterNarcotics#StrongerTogether#NCA#Portugal#Spain5:49 PM · Aug 13, 20265KViews537855 hnybdgr🤓@Pernell50Aug 13🇺🇸😃👺Burn it to ashes!!!!174 ⊕Tanner Lewis@themainmanlewizAug 14God Bless America13 Angela@Angela01563996Aug 13Imagine how many lives they all saved. THANK YOU!!!74