Three men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a cocaine distribution conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Jason Coody for the Northern District of Florida announced on Thursday.
Omar Josue Morales-Rodriguez, 45, of Freeport, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. Marcos Aguilar Gonzalez, 50, of Santa Rosa Beach, and Edmar Agustin Gonzalez, 34, of Crestview, each received 18-month sentences.
Read: Florida Man Gets 30 Years For Murdering Dad, Keeping Him In Freezer
The sentences follow a multi-agency investigation led by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office’s VICE/Narcotics Unit, which revealed that between October 2019 and June 2023, the defendants conspired to ship cocaine from Puerto Rico to the Florida Panhandle using the United States Postal Service.
During the investigation, authorities intercepted four packages, three of which contained one kilogram of cocaine each, while the fourth held 125 grams. Notably, one package discovered during a traffic stop by WCSO K9 Kenny was a karaoke machine modified to conceal a kilo of cocaine. A fifth package, sent from Walton County to Puerto Rico, contained $10,000 in cash.
Read: Davenport Man Struck And Killed On US-27 In Polk County: Florida Highway Patrol
Law enforcement also seized four firearms and several rounds of ammunition from Morales-Rodriguez, who had previously been convicted in federal court in Puerto Rico and served three years in federal prison for possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Morales-Rodriguez, identified as the leader and organizer of the conspiracy, was held responsible for the shipment of 20 packages containing at least 14 kilograms of cocaine through the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to Okaloosa and Walton counties.
“The duration of this investigation highlights our commitment to fighting illegal drug activity in Walton County,” said Captain Dustin Cosson of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau. “This case represents countless hours of work dedicated to holding traffickers accountable. The diligence of our narcotics investigators, coupled with our strong partnerships with the DEA and the U.S. Postal Service, should send a clear message to anyone involved in similar activities.”
Read: Winter Park Man Wins $1 Million From Florida Lottery Scratch-Off From Walmart
The case was the result of a joint investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney J. Ryan Love prosecuted the case.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.