METROPOLITAN BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2002

The mission of the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI) to remove narcotics, organized crime and illegal vice organizations from Central Florida continued in 2002 through teamwork by the thirteen (13) member agencies that contribute to the MBI Task Force. In addition, during 2002, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) federally deputized the local and state agents assigned to the MBI Narcotics Section in order to facilitate additional prosecutions in the federal judicial system.

Highlighted investigations of the Narcotics Section during the year 2002 included the conclusion of the eight (8) year investigation titled Operation Catchstretch that involved the Jorge Farah Narcotics Organization. In that investigation, MBI, USCS, DEA, FDLE and IRS agents dismantled the organization that used semi-trucks and other methods to smuggle and distribute more than 80,000 kilos of marijuana and 400 kilos of cocaine. 28 members of the organization were arrested and pled guilty and 17 additional defendants provided cooperation and evidence for the prosecution.

, was also found by narcotics agents to have widespread drug dealing occurring on certain days of the week. Twenty one (21) undercover narcotics purchases and twenty (20) arrests were made by agents from MBI, ABT, OCSO, OPD and FDLE. An action was brought before the Orange County Nuisance Abatement Board, and club management agreed to new measures to keep the nightclub in compliance with the law. A number of other successful extensive narcotics investigations were also conducted, including one that resulted in 11 arrests by MBI and CCIB of members connected with a violent eastside drug gang, a joint FBI/MBI investigation that led to the seizure of 75,000 ecstasy tablets, and Operation Rock the World, which remains an on-going investigation.

The Vice/Organized Crime Section is a small portion of the MBI that has a herculean task of keeping illegal vice organizations out of Central Florida . The section has less than a half dozen agents and amounts to .002% of law enforcement in Orange County . MBI’s Vice agents began the year at the request of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office to help investigate an entrenched business providing prostitution, called the Boardroom Men’s Club, that had been in operation in Cocoa, Florida for 16 years and advertised on billboards in Orange, Brevard, Polk, and Volusia counties. After a six month investigation, the owner and employees of the business were arrested for Racketeering and the Boardroom closed. Agents also made arrests that resulted in the closing of a prostitution business in Orange County called Mandy’s Massage, 1808 East Colonial Drive , that was offering similar illegal services.

Vice agents also conducted an investigation of a multi-state adult bookstore operation that was operating the unlicensed adult bookstore, Video Expose, 6440 East Colonial Drive in violation of Orange County Zoning designed to keep adult businesses away from residential areas, schools, churches and playgrounds. After a series of arrests, the business closed but, based on a complaint generated by Video Expose, a second unlicensed adult bookstore, Jerry’s General Store, 11484 East Colonial Drive was located. It was additionally discovered in the investigation that both unlicensed adult bookstores were distributing an extremely hardcore and vile type of obscene pornography and Obscenity and Racketeering charges were brought for operating an on-going business enterprise that distributed obscene materials.

Other extensive efforts for MBI vice agents included investigations of the escort prostitution services that were being advertised and promoted on the internet by the web site Big.doggie.net that led to 10 arrests and the closing of 12 escort internet prostitution services, the investigation of Liberty Adult Video and Thee Playhouse Topless Go Go that led to the permanent removal of the adult entertainment licenses for the businesses, and the continuing series of interviews, depositions, and court testimony and litigation involving the Rachel’s Men’s Clubs and the arrests and convictions of both general managers, four top managers, two supervisors, and more than a dozen other employees of Rachel’s Men’s Clubs. Testimony and evidence obtained after those arrests of managers and employees additionally led to the arrest, and pending trial, of a primary owner of the business.

The year 2003 will lead the MBI towards the twenty fifth anniversary of the multi-agency task force. The MBI and assisting agents have worked hard and long hours to maintain Central Florida ’s image as a family oriented and tourist friendly destination, free from significant influences of illegal vice, organized crime and narcotics operations. The agency motto of “integrity – perseverance – investigative excellence” will continue to be the framework for the dedicated agents and staff of the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation as the agency continues to do its part to make Central Florida a community of which we can all be proud.