DEA-Assisted Undercover Sting in Key Largo Leads to Cocaine Trafficking Arrest

An undercover operation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, resulted in the Jan. 16 arrest of 68-year-old Jose Braulio Urbay Garcia of Cutler Bay. Detectives arranged a controlled buy in Key Largo during which Urbay Garcia allegedly sold approximately 88.4 grams, about three ounces, of cocaine to an undercover third party in exchange for $3,000. Sheriff’s deputies stopped the suspect northbound on U.S. 1 shortly after the transaction and recovered the cash and the substances described in charging documents.

Urbay Garcia was arrested on charges that include conspiracy and trafficking in cocaine. His arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 10 at the Plantation Key Courthouse. Authorities reportedly have additional warrants linked to prior cocaine sales, and those matters could affect forthcoming court proceedings.

The joint local-federal operation underscores Monroe County’s continuing focus on disrupting narcotics distribution routes through the Florida Keys. DEA involvement signals federal interest in the case and often brings investigative resources and potential for broader interdiction efforts. For local residents and businesses, the case is a reminder of law enforcement activity aimed at protecting public safety along the county’s main transportation corridor.

The arrest also carries implications for local institutions. Plantation Key Courthouse will handle arraignment and pretrial matters, adding to a docket that routinely juggles drug cases, traffic matters, and other criminal prosecutions. For county elected officials and law enforcement leadership, high-profile narcotics enforcement raises questions about resource allocation between undercover operations, community policing, and prevention programs. Voters and civic leaders weigh such tradeoffs when setting priorities for sheriff’s office budgets and public safety initiatives.

Community impact in Key Largo and surrounding areas extends beyond prosecution. Cocaine trafficking can strain emergency responders, influence neighborhood perceptions of safety, and affect tourism-reliant commerce. Transparency about investigatory methods and court timelines can help maintain public trust while ensuring due process. The reported additional warrants tied to prior sales suggest this arrest may form part of a larger investigation with potential follow-on arrests or prosecutions.

As the case moves into the court system, residents should expect updates at the Plantation Key Courthouse on Feb. 10 and subsequent filings that will clarify charges and potential federal involvement. How local leaders balance enforcement, prevention, and community engagement in response will shape public safety policy discussions in Monroe County going into the next election cycle.