Armed Home Invasion at Miami Air BnB Uncovers Major Drug Trafficking Operation, Leading to Multiple Arrests
In a dramatic turn of events, an armed home invasion at an Airbnb in Miami’s Flagami neighborhood led to the discovery of a large-scale drug trafficking operation. The incident, which occurred on July 25, 2024, resulted in five individuals facing charges, including three suspects in the robbery and two Airbnb renters involved in the drug operation.
Surveillance Video Captures the Incident
Exclusive surveillance footage obtained by the news reveals the harrowing moments when the armed robbery took place at the property, located near Southwest 5th Street and Southwest 58th Street. In the video, one of the renters is confronted by an armed man outside the home. The suspect, holding the renter at gunpoint, demands he open the door and hand over a bag.
“Don’t move, don’t move, open the door,” the armed suspect is heard saying. “Give me this bag, give me this bag.”
Shortly after, a second suspect, armed with a long rifle, joins the first assailant. Together, they force the renter inside the home.
Homeowners Alert Authorities
The owners of the Airbnb, monitoring the home via security cameras, saw the armed intruders and immediately called the police. Miami Police responded swiftly to the scene, where they found two men who identified themselves as the Airbnb guests and victims of the home invasion.
As police conducted a routine security sweep of the property, they made a surprising discovery: large quantities of marijuana. Narcotics investigators were called in and uncovered 113.22 pounds of suspected raw cannabis, stored in vacuum-sealed bags, along with $29,850 in cash.
Robbery Suspects Flee, but Are Captured
Before police arrived, the robbers had fled the scene. However, officers located the suspects nearby and took them into custody. The individuals were identified as 22-year-old Tijhani Cairiq Brown, 23-year-old Rasambessa Wahlanii Johnson, and 28-year-old Jamouri Lee Sawyer.
The trio now face serious charges, including home invasion robbery with a firearm, armed burglary with assault or battery, and armed kidnapping. Additionally, Brown and Sawyer were charged with armed cannabis trafficking, while Johnson faces a charge of resisting an officer without violence.
Renters Also Facing Drug Charges
The Airbnb renters, identified as 33-year-old Robert Rincon and 43-year-old Johnny Guzman, were not just victims of the robbery but were also implicated in the drug trafficking operation. Both Rincon and Guzman were charged with attempted cannabis trafficking, renting a property for the purpose of trafficking marijuana, and money laundering.
A Shocking End to a Violent Encounter
This armed robbery, initially seen as a violent home invasion, revealed an underlying criminal operation involving significant quantities of marijuana. What began as an assault on renters at a short-term rental property has now escalated into a major investigation into drug trafficking in the Miami area. All five individuals remain in custody, facing multiple charges, and the investigation continues to unfold.
The shocking incident highlights the growing concerns about the use of short-term rental properties for illegal activities, as well as the complex and dangerous nature of drug trafficking operations in South Florida.
