A Florida drug bust with national headlines. An alleged international conspiracy. And a curious not guilty verdict.

Part 1 of a series about an under-the-radar federal court case that started with a scathing indictment detailing an alleged international drug trafficking conspiracy, but fizzled in Florida courts

A November 2000 article that ran in the Tampa Bay Times. (screenshot)

It was Nov. 6, 2000, the day before U.S. voters cast their ballots for George W. Bush or Al Gore.

The Yankees beat the Mets in the 2000 World Series about a week and a half prior.

The average gasoline price was $1.51.

I was 11.

Lower down in the news cycle, there were a series of arrests in South Florida tied to an alleged international drug smuggling ring and other corruption by union leaders at Port Everglades.