In a dramatic high-speed chase captured on camera, Florida Highway Patrol troopers managed to apprehend a trio suspected of armed cocaine trafficking. Dashcam footage, released by the FHP and obtained by NBC Miami, showcased a dangerous pursuit along the Florida Turnpike.
The chase, involving a silver Chevy Silverado with South Carolina plates, began around 5 p.m. Wednesday when the driver, identified as 30-year-old Julian Montes, refused to yield to a traffic stop. Montes, a four-time convicted felon, attempted to hastily get away, driving "recklessly, at a high rate of speed" and "passing traffic on the shoulder," as per an incident report from FHP. A BSO helicopter recorded from above as the chase unfolded, capturing the moment when a front passenger threw weapons and a bag out of the vehicle.
The persistence of law enforcement paid off when troopers executed two Precision Immobilization Techniques (PIT maneuvers) to finally stop the truck. The second attempt caused the vehicle to spin out, allowing officers to quickly surround it and take the suspects into custody. Video evidence showed the moments armed officers ordered the suspects out of the truck, and in another clip obtained by NBC Miami, one of the men appeared to struggle as an officer attempted to place him in handcuffs.
Inside the truck, authorities found a kilogram of cocaine and three firearms: a Glock 29 with 10 rounds, a Glock 20, and a Ruger LCP .380, authorities said. According to FHP, Barbosa, who was sitting in the back, admitted to having been on the way to sell the drugs for $20,000. He was caught attempting to discard the Ruger LCP .380 during the pursuit, an act which was captured by the BSO helicopter video. The evidence of the chase and its harrowing end made public, paints a clear picture of the criminal intent harbored by the suspects, and the lengths to which law enforcement will go to keep drugs and weapons off the streets.
Montes, Reed, and Barbosa now face a slew of charges including armed cocaine trafficking. Montes and Reed, both convicted felons, were also charged with various weapon possession offenses. Reed, an eight-time felon, was also charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, Local 10 News reported. All three men were denied bond the following day and are currently awaiting further legal proceedings.
