As arrest warrant has been assigned by the officials on Tuesday by Melo, Law enforcement officials reported that he was apprehended at Port Miami on Thursday evening after he exited his vehicle while carrying his luggage. As detailed in the report, Melo granted written permission for a search of his luggage, during which detectives discovered 60 MDMA pills hidden inside five bags of Skittles. Following this discovery, authorities indicated that he subsequently chose to exercise his right to remain silent and declined to make any statements to the detectives.
“Melo, who is a 6 year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, has been relieved of duty, arrested, and charged with the possession, sale, and trafficking of a controlled substance,” an MDSO news release stated.
“This arrest is the result of a collaborative effort between the MDSO, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Miami-Dade State Attorney Office’s Public Corruption Prosecution Unit, who are committed to upholding the integrity and maintaining the public trust in law enforcement within Miami-Dade County.”
As of Friday morning, Melo was detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, and at that time, the amount of his bond had not been established.
“Narcotics don’t just harm those who use them, they devastate families, and fuel crime,” Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a statement. “No one is above the law, and this office will not tolerate criminal behavior from anyone, especially those entrusted to enforce it. The actions of this individual are a betrayal of the public trust and of all the deputies who work tirelessly to protect our community.
“We will cooperate fully with the State Attorney’s Office throughout the legal process.”
Final Thoughts
The response exhibited by law enforcement agencies in this situation underscores their dedication to accountability and transparency. Through collaborative efforts with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the State Attorney’s Office, the authorities have conveyed a definitive message that unlawful conduct will not be accepted among law enforcement personnel.