Major drug bust in local parishes related to Mexican drug cartel, prosecutors say, La. And were here to tell you that were not sleeping. Neel, when arrested on the possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute charge in 2016, told officers at the time that she sold the drug for a profit. MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- In the biggest drug bust recorded in Mesa Police Department history, officers uncovered over 700,000 fentanyl pills and more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. Special Agent Roberto Bryan, a spokesman for the DEA's New Orleans division, told NOLA.com that the division executed 10 search warrants and seized a "large quantity of synthetic marijuana . Biggest drug bust in Halton police history announced. Drug trafficking is probably the most lucrative illegal money maker, which the richest drug dealers of all time can attest to. Mayor Marc Morial answered questions about the indictments Wednesday, saying that "cavalier" cops would not be tolerated by his administration. Published Feb 25, 2021 3:23 PM by The Maritime Executive. U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser said the defendants are charged with trafficking meth, heroin, cocaine and firearms. NOPD arrests 15 in undercover drug bust. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. The NOPD released surveillance pictures Friday. . Other questions:[email protected]. One hour away from New Orleans, and one hour away from Baton Rouge. (BRPROUD) - Three men are . What surprised authorities most, however, was the ease at which new officers were brought into the sting. ORLEANS COUNTY, N.Y. A man from Medina faces numerous drug and weapons charges following a raid at two locations in Orleans County. 650 Poydras Street, Suite 1600 Nebraska might not be among the states with the most opioid abuse, but apparently, its a way station along the route to those places. Remember when we discussed a secret drug tunnel in Arizona that authorities discovered in 2018? PART OF AUDACY NEWS. Were right off of the Highway 90 interchange, so that if youre moving drugs through, its quite easy to think that they could stop in a sleepy little parish. LOS ANGELES (AP) The largest illegal marijuana bust in Los Angeles County history which netted 373,000 plants that would ultimately have been worth $1 billion on the street eradicated only a fraction of the illicit grows in the Southern California high desert, authorities said Wednesday. Next: We remain in the 20th century the rest of the way. Handy was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation S.W.A.T. In October 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced one of the largest drug busts in history. A warehouse raid in Hayward in the east bay seized 1,200 pounds of heroin worth roughly $3 billion. 14 tons of. Or maybe they didn't do anything.". According to an NOPD report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crime Task Force began receiving information about drug activity at the intersection of Tupelo Street and North Claiborne Avenue. Chief Serpas says 15 people were using that corner to sell drugs. As a result of this, we had to increase significantly the security of the FBI undercover agents.". West Monroe, Louisiana police took a woman into custody Saturday afternoon after following up on a report by an unidentified complainant who claimed they had found what they suspected were drugs in her apartment. Meth continues to be a problem in the state at large. Among their charges were conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing meth. Neel left the building without police officers speaking with her, according to the arrest report. WILLIAMS sold six of these seven properties for a profit. Gallagher said the yearlong investigation involved more than 60 federal agents from across the country and was conducted with utmost secrecy. A subsequent cavity search by an officer turned up $6,233, and a clear bag of containing one gram of meth secreted within Rolland's vagina. Published Nov. 1, 2022 12:46 p.m. PDT. . "asked Serpas at a news conference Friday. endstream endobj 1100 0 obj <>stream They chose to be drug dealers, they chose to be gun-toters, they chose to put children at risk. Cops probing the discovery of drugs worth 38million found concealed on lorries have arrested 19 Brits. So far this year, there have been six. Next: The biggest bust this city has ever seen. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. Authorities seized 46 pounds of pot and $300,000 in cash in 2014 during a big bust in the smallest state in America. LSP Col. Lamar Davis says getting these drugs off the streets saves countless lives. New Orleans, La. Twelve suspected drug dealers believed to be part of a large drug ring are locked up after a joint investigation. THE GANG'S ALL HERE: Suspects busted in yesterday's sweep are booked by FBI agents at the Army . The U.S. Coast Guard has been involved in plenty of massive drug seizures in its history, but one from 2007 is one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Drug smuggling isnt a very wholesome father and son activity, but here we are. He said police believe Reynolds and Coronado distributed to Kenner street-level drug dealers and he hopes the arrests will have an effect on drug activity. LSP and Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriffs Office held a joint news conference about a major drug bust in Pointe Coupee Parish following a 7-month investigation. Most of the charges from the New Orleans bust were eventually dropped, but the incident went on to make a lasting impact on Grateful Dead lore. This massive seizure disrupted the flow of dangerous amounts of fentanyl into our streets and probably saved many lives, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner. Federal agents caught two men with 86 pounds of heroin, which was worth roughly $6 million at the time. "It tells us that corruption in the Police Department is pervasive, rampant and systemic.". A several-month investigation has led to one of Pointe Coupee Sheriff's Office's largest drug busts, officials announced at a news conference on Friday, Aug. 12. "The pertinent conversations were spread out over a 10-hour period and were intermingled with many other discussions concerning their protection activity at the warehouse. The officers indicted Wednesday - Davis, Williams, Sgt. Carlos Rodriguez, Adam Dees, Christopher Evans of the 5th District; Keith Johnson and Sheldon Polk of the 2nd; Bryant Brown, assigned to public housing; and Larry Smith, assigned to the juvenile division - all face charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and use of firearms while drug trafficking. "Concerned citizens" passed on the tip about Reynolds and Coronado, who were the only people living in the single-story house on Connecticut Avenue. DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerly said the investigation started over a year ago. The other police officers were arrested Wednesday. All the smaller busts weve discussed so far happened in the 21st century, and were guessing its because the kingpins and cartels got tired of all the mammoth seizures late in the 20th century. This is the largest metropolitan area of Louisiana, with approximately 1.2 million residents. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Meanwhile, he said, agents kept a close eye on Davis and were prepared to arrest him at "any time of the day or night. In what is being called the largest case of police corruption in the city's history, nine New Orleans officers were charged in federal court Wednesday with accepting nearly $100,000 in bribes. A Louisiana man was sentenced Friday to 19 years in federal prison and five years supervised release for his leadership role in a large-scale cocaine and marijuana drug trafficking organization. 1 on the countdown. Agents spent the following weeks investigating the murder, U.S. Attorney Eddie Jordan Jr. said. . In addition, according to court documents, from on or about February 20, 2019 through on or about February 17, 2020, WILLIAMS used approximately $667,500 in proceeds from his cocaine trafficking to purchase seven real estate properties in New Orleans. When will this end? 1957(a) by purchasing and then developing these seven real estate properties with profits generated from his cocaine sales. Copyright 2022 WAFB. Largest Settlements: Place Population; Le Pont-de-Claix: 11,963 (2016) Other Languages: View 78 more. The drug trafficking probe was abruptly halted after Davis ordered the execution of a woman who filed a brutality complaint against him, authorities said. 0W[AscR Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In April, when agents set up a drug warehouse at 420 Franklin Ave. and asked for around-the-clock police guards, Davis said he would have to "to bring in other officers to help, " Gallagher said. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. ,8N;?Z,w]pIaw^;QJa1'FDQ9D$q Watson's bond is currently set at $3,100,000, according to KATC. City leaders say that gang is responsible for 15 murders since 2008. Attorney Frank DeSalvo, who represents the Police Association of New Orleans, said Wednesday, "I just left three happy officers who didn't get indicted. The deceptive marketing coupled with the ease of accessibility makes these small and seemingly innocuous pills a significant threat to the health and safety of all our communities. Investigators said they confiscated heroin, cocaine, meth, pressed pills, marijuana, and synthetic marijuana worth $600,000. At times, he said, the lives of undercover agents posing as drug traffickers were in danger. Next: Proof that you cant hide anything from the authorities. Reynolds has been booked with possession and distribution of 2,700 grams of marijuana and Coronado was booked with possession and distribution of 7.5 grams of cocaine and 1,300 grams of marijuana. h{oFJ'Sn. The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item. Authorities made one of the largest drug busts in Los Angeles County history recently, seizing meth and cocaine with a street value of nearly $60 million, officials say. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, A Louisiana woman has been arrested after a tip led police to her apartment on suspicion of drug possession - and they subsequently found what they believed to be meth in a box in her home labeled "dope. We're not going to tolerate it, " Morial said. Part of Audacy. Next: Lets head down the coast for No. English: Le Pont-de-Claix. You have permission to edit this article. Have a question about Government Services? Sylmar is something of a sleepy town northwest of Los Angeles, but its the site of what might be the biggest drug bust ever. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's office in Baton Rouge announced half-a-dozen arrests for various . Theres no number, and when you look at the number of overdoses when you look at the amount of criminal activity involved with this, you know there is no specific number, but I can tell you its immeasurable and one life is too much, Davis said. If you factor in the two pounds of methamphetamines, cash, and guns, the DEA bust was probably closer to $7 million. According to court documents, Drug Enforcement Administration agents from the New Orleans Field Division identified WILLIAMS in early 2020 as a supplier of kilogram quantities of cocaine to other drug dealers in the New Orleans metropolitan area. The city's economy has sputtered over the past generation partly because local and state officials have failed to do the most elementary job of government: to secure the personal safety of citizens. A%@F~HeA~@bzj\)L!D94`; (d>AM3f 1 Strasser said he expects more arrests and indictments to come from the investigation. OCDETF is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nations primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets. "When later asked why, (they said) it was to impress the drug dealer to show them that, in fact, they were the NOPD and could produce on their offer of protection.". All three are facing several narcotic charges, including conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. Thats a big bust in a big city, but its far from being one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized approximately one million pills laced with fentanyl allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in what authorities say is the biggest bust for the drug in California history. Operation Crystal Shield involved 893 pounds of cocaine, 13 pounds of heroin, and around 2,224 pounds of methamphetamine, making it the biggest meth bust in U.S. history. Vickie M. Watson, 61, of Kentucky, was arrested during the stop and charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances, and a number of traffic violations. Ill say to you that this is mid-level cities type of drug drugs. These are situations that put the staff potentially at risk because some of them are very violent. (WVUE) - Federal prosecutors announced a major drug bust and the arrest of people in two parishes that were allegedly connected to a Mexican cartel Monday (July 1). Elie Edwards, 43, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy-Distribution of Heroin, Methamphetamine, Marijuana/ Synthetic Cannabinoids, Cocaine, Schedule IV, Distribution/ Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Distribution/ Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS - Methamphetamine, Distribution/Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, or Synthetic Cannabinoids, Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, Possession of Firearm or Carrying Concealed Weapon by a Person Convicted or Certain Felonies, David Hayes, 42, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy, Distribution/ Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Prohibited Acts-Schedule II, and Prohibited Acts-Schedule IV, Shannon Labatut, 43, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy-Distribution of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Marijuana/ Synthetic Cannabinoids, Distribution/ Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, or synthetic cannabinoids, Distribution/ Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Jerlanda Foster, 31, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy, Loretta Dobard, 53, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy, Malfeasance in Office, Mary Victorian, 36, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy, Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, William Tynes, 61, of Ethel, is charged with Distribution/ Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotic Drugs Listed in Schedule 1, and Prohibited Acts-Schedule IV, Penalties, Bryan Francois, 32, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy- Distribution/ Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II CDS, Darrel Harris, 30, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy- Distribution/ Possession with intent to distribute Schedule 1 and Schedule II, Joshua Gustin, 41, of Ventress, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy- Distribution/Possession with intent to distribute Schedule 1 and Schedule II (CDS) Felony, Leighann Kirby, 34, of Jarreau, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy- Prohibited Acts-Schedule II, and Obstruction of Justice-Evidence Tampering, Michael A Edwards, 40, of New Roads, is charged with Attempt and Conspiracy to Distribution of Schedule II CDS, LSU WR Malik Nabers arrested in New Orleans; prosecutors refuse to charge with condition, Charges upgraded for suspect arrested in deadly shooting, police say, Health experts, former athletes respond to NCAAs proposal to reduce game time and plays. April 9, 2021 7:48 am New Orleans Police and the FBI announce they've arrested of a heroin dealer in the Lower Ninth Ward. NEW ROADS, La. Rafael Molina, 43, Gustavo Balderas, 32, and Michael Garza, 34, all from Texas, were charged this February in a six-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with several narcotic offenses. A DEA surveillance operation tracked two men, which led authorities to a Bronx apartment with $8 million worth of heroin and other drug paraphernalia inside. Next: Another 2018 raid is among the biggest drug busts ever. NOPD Supt. On November 19, 2020, agents conducted an investigatory stop on WILLIAMSs vehicle. For all of the caution exercised by Davis and the other suspects, the officers sometimes acted with a bravado that shocked federal authorities. The conversations simply did not alert us to what would occur. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. Chief Serpas says, though this investigation is not over, he does believe that the NOPD busted every member of the 89er's gang. endstream endobj 1099 0 obj <>stream They even sold drugs in the rain, every day from early morning till night. Appointed in October, he acknowledged that he inherited a department riddled with corruption and vowed to weed out bad officers through aggressive internal investigations. According to the DEA, Los Angeles is a major transport and shipment hub for illegal drugs coming from the U.S.-Mexico border and are often stored in warehouses, storage units and residential properties in the region. He and his Medellin cartel cohorts made an estimated $420 million each weeksupplying 80% of the cocaine in the United States in the 1980s. Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. The DEA offices in Los Angeles seized approximately three million fentanyl pills in 2021 -- close to three times the amount seized in 2020. (Louisiana State Police). "We were able to intercept some conversations among the police officers who were on the protection detail . Of those, three Terrebonne and Lafourche men were indicted for distribution of more than 500 grams of meth, three Texas men were indicted for intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and two Houma men were indicted for intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. - Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Arnold Devonne Butler, 54, today in Casper. Michael Perlstein and Walt Philbin wrote this report. The investigation and bust were carried out on a decree from the Naples public prosecutor, the statement added. New Orleans Police and the FBI announce theyve arrested of a heroin dealer in the Lower Ninth Ward. The suspect, Candyce Neel, 41, was found hiding behind her apartment building after a search of the residence was completed. The investigation remains ongoing. You can call this one the mole-man drug bust, in a sense. One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. The street value of the drugs is about $1 million, according to Byerly. Strasser said the indictments began last November and the investigation started when a man was stopped by a state trooper, who found 24 pounds of meth in his possession. Police seized drugs from each of their rooms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is a synthetic opioid that is approved for treating severe pain but can often be diverted for abuse and misuse. All rights reserved. . Authorities obtained a federal arrest warrant for Wayne Handy on weapons violations and drug trafficking charges. Through the investigation, officials identified numerous members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) with Edwards as its leader. "For continued safety of the FBI undercover agents and because of the need to allow the New Orleans Police Department to remove from its ranks a criminal element, I ordered an end to the FBI undercover operation, " he said. Weve been on the case this whole time.. The estimated street value of the pills is between $15 to $20 million. A big break in the case came when Davis - described as the ringleader of the nine cops - asked for a cellular telephone to conduct business with the undercover agents. that they were contemplating ripping off the couriers. "The undercover agent was very clever, however, and stripped before the police officers to show that he was not wired at the time, " Jordan said. During the search of both locations and Handy's vehicle, Investigators recovered the following: 944 Grams of heroin containing fentanyl $121,785 U.S. currency Ruger handgun, with high-capacity magazine Draco rifle Digital scales High-capacity drum magazine At the time of his arrest, Handy was on federal probation for weapons violations. Lock "The unsupervised, unregulated detail system practically encourages police officers to break the law, " Jordan said. The investigation was launched in December 1993 when 5th District officers Len Davis and Sammie Williams began extorting bribes and offering protection to a drug dealer, said New Orleans FBI Commander Neil Gallagher. They estimated the drugs to be worth at least $870,000 on the street. ", "We were concerned that he may engage in acts of violence. 1.San Francisco is home to the crown of the world largest ever recorded drugs bust. Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl, the CDC warns on their website. More than 107,000 Americans have died as a result of fentanyl overdose or poisoning, according to the CDC.
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