Miami-Dade Deputy Arrested for Selling and Smuggling MDMA
MIAMI — A Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputy, Francisco Melo, has been arrested after being accused of selling MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy or molly, and attempting to smuggle the drug onto a cruise ship.
The arrest followed an undercover operation launched on Dec. 20, 2024, after an internal investigation identified Melo as a drug dealer. Investigators had a confidential informant posing as a buyer, and Melo allegedly sold 12 MDMA pills for $240.
During the operation, authorities learned that Melo had planned to board Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas for a four-day music festival cruise starting on Jan. 23, 2025. Melo was reportedly preparing to smuggle the MDMA pills onto the ship hidden inside Skittle bags.
When Melo arrived at PortMiami, deputies arrested him. A subsequent search of his luggage by a drug-sniffing K9 uncovered six Skittle bags, five of which contained about 60 MDMA pills.
Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Codero-Stutz condemned Melo’s actions, stating that they betrayed public trust. “The actions of this individual are a betrayal of the public trust,” said Sheriff Codero-Stutz. “No one is above the law.”
Melo, a six-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, faces charges for the possession, sale, and trafficking of a controlled substance. He appeared before Judge Mindy Glazer, who set his bond at $20,000. Melo claimed he could not afford to hire an attorney during his court appearance.
Melo has been placed on administrative leave with pay while the investigation continues.