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Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputy accused of selling drugs arrested

Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputy arrested on drug charges
Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputy arrested on drug charges 02:38

MIAMI - A Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputy accused of selling drugs has been arrested.

According to the sheriff's office, an internal investigation identified Deputy Francisco Melo as a methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) dealer. The drug is commonly referred to as ecstasy or molly.

On Dec. 20, 2024, investigators set up an undercover operation and had a confidential informant posing as a buyer. Melo allegedly sold them 12 MDMA pills for $240.

During the operation, they learned that Melo had booked a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas for Jan. 23. The privately chartered voyage was hosting a four-day dance music festival on the ship and Melo had planned to smuggle MDMA pills onto the ship inside Skittle bags, according to the arrest report.

On Thursday, when Melo arrived at PortMiami he was arrested. After Melo consented to a search of his luggage, a dug-sniffing K9 was brought in and it alerted to his bags. Inside, deputies found six Skittle bags, five of which had drugs in them, about 60 pills total, according to the arrest report.

"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," said Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Codero-Stutz in a statement.

Melo, who is a six-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, has been charged with the possession, sale, and trafficking of a controlled substance.

Melo appeared in bond court before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer. She set bond at $20,000. Melo also told Glazer that he could not afford to hire an attorney. That is all Melo said in court and he did not talk about the charges against him. 

A Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office spokesman told CBS News Miami that Melo had been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

CBS News Miami tried to speak with family members at his home but no one was there and we noticed that there were a total of 5 Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office patrol cars outside the home. A sheriff's office spokesman said they were at the home as part of the investigation. 

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