Panhandle

Florida Panhandle Witnesses Surge in Traffic Stops by ICE and Local Law Enforcement, Raising Community Concerns

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In the quiet stretches of the Florida Panhandle, increasing traffic stops by local law enforcement and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are raising concerns among residents. These initiatives, reportedly targeting areas predominated by Latino communities such as Gadsden and Jackson, are feared to be more than mere traffic regulation enforcement. Recent reports have accentuated a pattern where these stops lead to questioning about immigration status, subsequently involving ICE in cases even for minor infractions. Lawyers and rights groups have pointed out that such practices could potentially infringe on the rights of individuals, profiling … Read more

82 Individuals Indicted in an Eastern Panhandle Drug-Trafficking Operation: Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine Seized

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Ranson, West Virginia – A major drug-trafficking operation that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine has been dismantled in the Eastern Panhandle, with 82 individuals indicted by a federal grand jury. The case, which spanned multiple states, involved a network that supplied large quantities of fentanyl to the area. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher confirmed the charges during a press conference at the Ranson Police Department, where she highlighted the significance of the indictment. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 10 kilograms of fentanyl, as well as cocaine, methamphetamine, firearms, and substantial assets. Acting Special … Read more