More than a dozen people are behind bars tonight, on charges related to drugs and gang violence. "We are turning up the heat to crush violent crime and restore safety," said Matt Fodor, an FBI Agent.

Tampa

Authorities in Florida have indicted 19 people following a joint investigation by the FBI, Tampa police, and Lakeland police into gang violence and drug trafficking. Among those arrested are five members of the 'Glock Boys' gang, who face charges including conspiracy to commit murder, racketeering, and involvement in a nationwide identity theft scheme that allegedly defrauded the public of nearly $2.9 million.

The indictments also cover separate organizations in Lakeland accused of distributing large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy. Fourteen suspects are charged with drug distribution, and five face additional firearms charges. Officials emphasized that these arrests are part of ongoing efforts to combat violent crime and drug-related offenses in the region.

‘Glock Boys’ gang members among 19 indicted in Florida crackdown

More than a dozen people are behind bars for charges related to drugs and gang violence. Investigators present separate cases in Hillsborough and Polk counties. And as ABC Action News reporter Annette Gutierrez explains, there's a feud at the center of the arrests in Tampa. At today's press conference, officials had one clear message. If you choose to participate in violent crimes, authorities will pursue you, they'll catch you, and they'll put you in jail. Because of this, authorities say our streets are safer from drug overdoses and gun violence. We are turning up the heat to crush violent crime and restore safety. A joint investigation involving the FBI, Tampa police, and Lakeland police has led to the indictment of 19 individuals. In Tampa, authorities arrested five members of a gang called the Glock Boys, also known as the Glockies. They face charges including conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, as well as allegedly running a nationwide identity theft and fraud operation. Let me be absolutely clear, this kind of criminal behavior will not be tolerated in the city of Tampa. We will not allow gangs or anyone else to endanger the safety of our citizens. Authorities say these charges stem from a feud with a rival gang called Robles Park. Back in July of 2020, shootouts took place at the Truth Lounge, and later outside International Mall, injuring innocent bystanders. Members of both gangs allegedly continued to retaliate, opening fire in public over the following weeks. This gang known as the Glockies wreaked havoc on our community, showing a total disregard for those who live here. Beyond the gun violence, prosecutors say the Glock Boys defrauded the public with nearly $2.9 million through a nationwide identity theft scheme. The indictment claims they filed hundreds of fraudulent unemployment claims across the country. These are very intelligent, driven, well-organized individuals that are involved in significant financial fraud over a significant period of time, years. The second indictment focuses on separate organizations involved with drug trafficking in Lakeland. A large uptick in fentanyl-related deaths last year sparked an investigation that led to nine search warrants, 14 arrests, and eight federal complaints. The indictment states that the 14 suspects distributed at least 400 grams of fentanyl, along with over 500 grams of meth, cocaine, and ecstasy. Some of the distribution was starting in the city at the hotel level. Five of the suspects also faced charges for possession of firearms as convicted felons. Disrupt the organization. That is an essential part of all this. Disrupt the organization. Take their money, take their property, take their drugs, take their guns, and put them in jail. Officials say this is just the beginning. They won't stop at these arrests. Reporting in Tampa, Anette Gutierrez, ABC Action News.

U.S. President Donald Trump is still dealing with fallout from his own supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Washington

Trump says Epstein conspiracy theory is hoax started by Democrats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and that the two had agreed to strengthen trade collaboration, particularly in light of the tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump set to go in effect on August 1.

Mexico City

Global Tariffs

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Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors.

Obamas address divorce rumors on Michelle’s podcast

Israel struck Syrian military targets as well as central Damascus on Wednesday (July 16) as it continued its campaign to protect Druze minority communities in southern Syria.

Damascus

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U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee's appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial follows President Trump's call for Israel to throw out the case or pardon the Israeli prime minister.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. ambassador attends Netanyahu trial to show support from Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would impose a 19% tariff on goods from Indonesia under a new agreement with the Southeast Asian country and more deals were in the works as he continued to press for what he views as better terms with trading partners.

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At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday (July 16) at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators. This video contains graphic images.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames agitators

Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 22-year-old suspect in the double homicide of American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. The couple, both 70 years old, was found shot to death in their home earlier this week.

Encino

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Streaming shows dominated nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards. "Severance" earned the most series nominations with 27. Meanwhile, "The Studio" earned the most-ever nominations for a debut comedy series with 23.

Hollywood

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The United Torah Judaism party has decided to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition over its failure to secure military service exemptions. Members of the ultra-orthodox community have been exempted from enlisting in the army since 1948.

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New information about the Jeffrey Epstein case may soon be made public after a reversal from U.S. President Donald Trump and weeks of criticism — the loudest of which has come from within the MAGA movement.

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Russia's Vladimir Putin has rejected President Trump's ultimatum for Moscow to sign a ceasefire deal with Ukraine in the next 50 days. Trump has threatened to issue a 100% tariff on any country that does business with Russia if no ceasefire deal is reached.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Russia rejects Trump's ultimatum for ceasefire in Ukraine

Fighting has erupted in the southern Syrian city of As Suwayda just six hours after a ceasefire was announced. Earlier on Tuesday, Syrian government forces withdrew heavy vehicles from the city, hoping to ease tensions.

As Suwayda

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Two laptops and hard drives containing watermarked and unreleased music by Beyoncé were stolen from her choreographer’s rental car in Atlanta, according to police.

Atlanta

Unreleased Beyoncé music stolen from choreographer’s rental car

The House Committee on Education and Workforce is holding its ninth hearing in 18 months on antisemitism on college campuses. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more details.

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An Air India Boeing airplane crashed in northwestern India in June, killing all people on board but one passenger. India's aviation regulator has now ordered airlines to examine fuel control switches on several Boeing models.

New Delhi

India orders airlines to inspect Boeing airplane models after crash

Controversy on Capitol Hill over the so-called Epstein Files is seemingly not going away anytime soon.

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An Israeli scheme to move hundreds of thousands of already uprooted Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" in Gaza has led politicians to spar with the defense establishment. Critics inside and outside Israel have denounced the proposal.

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At least two people were killed in a New Jersey flash flooding event, Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday morning as heavy rains are expected to continue battering the Northeast. CBS News' Rob Marciano has more details.

New Jersey

Two killed in New Jersey flash flooding

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Doha

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The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump's administration to resume dismantling the Department of Education, part of his bid to shrink the federal government's role in education in favor of more control by the states.

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Syria's government troops entered the Sweida region following deadly clashes on Tuesday, while Israel carried out strikes against them, saying it was acting to protect the Druze minority.

Syrian forces enter Sweida city following deadly clashes

Heavy rains slammed the Northeast and caused flash floods in the New York City subway system. CBS News' Rob Marciano has the latest.

New York

Flash flooding pummels NYC and slams subway lines

US President Donald Trump told Russia to end its war in Ukraine within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions, as he laid out plans for infusions of weaponry for Kyiv via NATO. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent," Trump said.

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A Gaza-bound boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid left Sicily, over a month after Israel detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel.

Sicily

New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy

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Christian leaders have accused Israeli settlers of attacking sacred sites in the West Bank. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III - visiting the Christian town of Taybeh with other clerics - said settlers had started a fire near a cemetery and a 5th century church there last week.

Clerics accuse West Bank settlers of attacking Christian sites

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Beijing ahead of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He's there to broaden economic cooperation with China, which is Australia's top trade partner, while taking into account security concerns.

Beijing

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Astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary and the U.S. are returning from the International Space Station following the historic Axiom Mission 4 trip. CBS News' consultant Bill Harwood joins with more details.

Breakdown