Adios Cancuns?
STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

Multiple federal raids occurred in the Gulf Breeze area and the law enforcement agencies involved initially kept a tight lip about the entire operation. A private residence on Great Oaks Drive and Cancuns restaurant within the city limits of Gulf Breeze were both raided by a plethora of federal agencies. Two condominiums, one on McClure Drive and another on Shirley Drive were also reportedly raided.

25 individuals were detained originally, 15 of whom will be deported. One was arrested on a separate warrant, and the remaining nine will stay in the U.S. for prosecution.

According to neighbors and eyewitnesses, federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) raided the home of Rogelio G. Chavez during the morning of Dec. 3. Neighbors said FBI agents brought two flat bed trucks and confiscated vehicles from the residence.

Six defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy under a criminal complaint of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine and Chavez had an additional complaint of harboring illegal aliens. Three other defendants were under a criminal complaint of illegally entering the United States, two of whom possessed fraudulent residency cards and the third faced a complaint of an illegal alien in possessing of a firearm. Two defendants worked at Mexican restaurants in Pensacola, and two at Cancuns where Chavez was listed as owner.

The names of the accused were not available as of press time. Upon conviction, the federal government intends to seize the restaurant property.