Ocoee man wanted by DEA on drug trafficking charges

The Orlando Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI), the U.S. DEA and the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution have arrested eight of nine defendants on charges of trafficking -- and conspiracy to traffic -- more than 400 grams of cocaine, according to an official release today in cooperation with Orlando Police Department and the sheriff's offices of Orange and Osceola counties.

The lone suspect not in custody as of press time is Ocoee man Curtis Ruff, although law enforcers have executed a warrant for his arrest at his address in the 2400 block of Orsota Circle, less than a half-mile north of Ocoee High School. Officials also executed a warrant at an address for Ruff's business at 1724 W. Washington St., Orlando.

Agents are in the process of locating and arresting Ruff, according to reports. He is considered a violent, armed, at-large cocaine trafficker who knows law enforcement seeks him.

Ruff -- along with Dave Romero, a St. Cloud resident among the eight arrested -- are considered the leaders of a larger cocaine trafficking organization, according to reports.

Ruff has an extensive criminal history, which includes 22 felony arrests and three misdemeanor arrests on charges that include trafficking in cocaine, robbery, firearms violations, home invasion and resisting law enforcement officers with violence.

Other charged high-ranking members of the drug trafficking organization include Jair Javier Olivo Ramirez, Angel L. Valdes Jr., Wilson Martinez Rodriguez, Antonio Davis and Darrell Williams. Most of the nine charged today have extensive drug related criminal histories.

Officers expect more arrests and seizures as this investigation progresses. The MBI and DEA request that anyone with additional information related to this drug trafficking organization or the location of Ruff contact MBI at (407) 836-9701 or Crimeline at (407) 423-TIPS.

Contact Zak Kerr at [email protected].