One of the biggest drug busts Alabamas ever seen featured a father and his 15-year old son towing 115 pounds of crystal meth worth $3 million through Baldwin County. endstream endobj 1098 0 obj <>stream After the killing was officially logged as a murder by police, Davis and Williams were overheard celebrating the murder with Hardy, they said. When will this end? During a routine traffic stop near Kearney, Neb., state troopers found 118 pounds of fentanyl, which is enough to kill 26 million people when you consider two milligrams is a potentially fatal dose. We preempted those acts of violence with suggestions to people that they may not want to stay in a particular location.". In October 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced one of the largest drug busts in history. (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). Investigators identified multiple armed subjects who they say were selling narcotics at this intersection. A subsequent search of her home uncovered a plastic container containing suspected methamphetamines labeled with the word "dope.". Its going to take all of us for us to rip these drugs out of our communities, Davis said. Or maybe they didn't do anything.". NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that yesterday, TATUM DARDAR, 26, from Terrebonne Parish, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent Cruz Lopez-Acevedo was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Two mid-level drug dealers were arrested and a "substantial" amount of drugs seized after Kenner narcotics officers busted the two in their house, Kenner Police Chief Steve Caraway said today. 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. Pennington said he immediately suspended the nine officers. The officers indicted Wednesday - Davis, Williams, Sgt. Ff Major drug bust in local parishes related to Mexican drug cartel, prosecutors say, La. The other police officers were arrested Wednesday. According to LSP, officials seized approximately 18.6 pounds of heroin; approximately 1.2 pounds of cocaine; approximately 1.2 pounds of methamphetamine; approximately 4.4 approximately of marijuana; approximately 25 grams of pressed pills; and approximately 1.4 pounds of synthetic marijuana. One early meeting almost led to a showdown, he said. More than 107,000 Americans have died as a result of fentanyl overdose or poisoning, according to the CDC. 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. If you factor in the two pounds of methamphetamines, cash, and guns, the DEA bust was probably closer to $7 million. Just last week, the District Attorney's office issued indictments against 20 people in the "3NG" gang on charges including racketeering and murder. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Meth continues to be a problem in the state at large. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Next: Lets head down the coast for No. Many of them are believed to be part of a gang known as the 89er's or T-Blocc. 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. They say the drug dealers had no regard for children in the area or people who lived nearby. In July, Ashley Rolland of West Monroe was arrested on charges of felony theft and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. New Orleans Man Found Guilty of Drug and Weapons Violations NEW ORLEANS, LA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DERRICK ESTES, age 42, of New Orleans, was found guilty as charged on September 21, 2022 after a two-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey. ", "We were concerned that he may engage in acts of violence. "This is a sizeable arrest for us," Caraway said. Liberty County officials were asked to assist in a search warrant led by the DEA out of Houston to seize what they estimated to be $500,000 worth. The street value of the drugs is about $1 million, according to Byerly. 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. This is the second methamphetamine-related arrest to go viral from West Monroe this year. On Monday, Lafayette police seized 23 pounds$2 million worthof meth in what's being called the largest drug bust in Lafayette Police Department history. (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). 5 on the list to read about the U.S. Coast Guards big bust in 2007. hXmo8+"HX1Elk#6QYJT_3K`o"r8/saL'"c?$14"$FLXPBXq#,TZ|! j\6JB1"A ~GD NOPD, FBI bust major N.O. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. Agents seized approximately 66 kilograms of cocaine and about $3.9 million in drug proceeds hidden inside his Gretna stash house and home. Federal agents caught two men with 86 pounds of heroin, which was worth roughly . Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? What surprised authorities most, however, was the ease at which new officers were brought into the sting. 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. All three are facing several narcotic charges, including conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. For years, police say, citizens continued to call Crimestoppers and the 5th District station to complain about drug dealing at the intersection of North Tonti and Almonaster. "asked Serpas at a news conference Friday. that they were contemplating ripping off the couriers. Investigators said they confiscated heroin, cocaine, meth, pressed pills, marijuana, and synthetic marijuana worth $600,000. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. Maybe there wasn't enough evidence. Officials also reportedly seized one AR-15 rifle, and two semiautomatic handguns, one of which was stolen out of Pointe Coupee. Nebraska might not be among the states with the most opioid abuse, but apparently, its a way station along the route to those places. New Orleans, La. The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force says Xavier . French: Le Pont-de-Claix, Grenoble, Isre, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France. Eastern District of Louisiana A staggering number of teens and young adults are unaware that they are ingesting fentanyl in these fake pills and are being poisoned.. 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. The NOPD says 15 people were . However, when authorities showed up at the home in . Agents spent the following weeks investigating the murder, U.S. Attorney Eddie Jordan Jr. said. 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. After an operation lasting a year, police seized 827,000 Ecstasy pills, 76 kg of amphetamine, 39.5 kg of crystal meth, 310 kg of hashish, 89 kg of marihuana, hashish, 2,000 doses of LSD and 1.65kg . They estimated the drugs to be worth at least $870,000 on the street. WILLIAMS faces up to life imprisonment, a fine of $10,000,000, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a $200 special assessment fee. In 1991, police officers seized 59 boxes containing 1080 pounds of Heroin, with a street value ranging from $2.7 billion to $4 billion. 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. This is the largest metropolitan area of Louisiana, with approximately 1.2 million residents. According to LSP, the investigation began in December 2021 with allegations that Elie Edwards, 43, of New Roads, was selling heroin and methamphetamine in Pointe Coupee Parish. . These are not situations that just require a short period of time to stabilize, but sometimes theyre in the hospital for days, so you can see the impact of how this is affecting the health care system, Doucet said. I want these indictments to send a message, and that message is to every individual out there who thinks hes going to get into the business of peddling poison, know this: Were going to find you, were going to take you down, were going to take you to trial, and if youre convicted at trial, you will be spending a good portion of your life in either federal or state prison, Strasser said. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. Read more: Which Politicians Had Terrible Diseases Like John McCain? The Georgia State Patrol pulled over a car that contained drugs. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. "Lennie Davis asked for a cellular telephone, " Gallagher said. You will see that in every parish were dealing with the harmful effects of these drugs, Pointe Coupee Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux said. . Each faces up to life in prison, while Davis could face the death penalty in connection with Groves' murder. "We were able to intercept some conversations among the police officers who were on the protection detail . The seizure happened earlier this month in Inglewood, California, after the DEAs Los Angeles Field Division High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Group 48, along with the DEA New York Division Tactical Diversion Squad and Hawthorne Police Department, had been investigating a Los Angeles-area drug trafficking organization since May that authorities believed was linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. P:. TUCSON, Ariz. Stephen Folson, 37, of Santa Rosa, Arizona, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to 10 years incarceration. A locked padlock Strasser said he expects more arrests and indictments to come from the investigation. "There were a number of other police officers who were ready and prepared to go forward with playing a role in protecting the cocaine in this undercover operation. U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser said the defendants are charged with trafficking meth, heroin, cocaine and firearms. 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. lX$S=^C{t49)CBnFr{jmHv\j[-ac~"Wv\nt.\qGH,7xHJtM?Ft#sUGgFm~'q|8o?e,K~] &b09*?L.s2=5,-D}@9pR~jf.C The busts occurred after Willie Lee White, Jr., 53, of Houston, was stopped Thursday after he left a home near Slidell, La., a New Orleans suburb in St. Tammany Parish, with $50,000 on him . Thats a big bust in a big city, but its far from being one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Neel has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and is being held in jail on a $3,000 bond. Two mid-level drug dealers were arrested and a "substantial" amount of drugs seized after Kenner narcotics officers busted the two in their house, Kenner Police Chief Steve Caraway said today.. The NOPD released surveillance pictures Friday. Friday's announcement is one of several recent efforts to crack down on suspected gang members. 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. A lock ( (WAFB) - Twelve suspected drug dealers believed to be part of a large drug ring are locked up after a joint investigation between the Pointe Coupee Sheriffs Office, New Roads Police Department, and Louisiana State Police. The following arrests were made during the drug bust: Officials praise the collaboration between departments and the community to get these drugs off the streets. 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. Chief Serpas says, though this investigation is not over, he does believe that the NOPD busted every member of the 89er's gang. This prosecution is part of an extensive investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). "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. . "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.". team without incident Tuesday, April 6 in the 1800 block of Andry Street. Pointe Coupee coroner Donald Doucet said the increasing numbers are impacting the health care system. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking marijuana. Lock 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. - Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Arnold Devonne Butler, 54, today in Casper. NEW ORLEANS, La. You can call this one the mole-man drug bust, in a sense. They chose to be drug dealers, they chose to be gun-toters, they chose to put children at risk. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. j"0C0ed 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. Michael Perlstein and Walt Philbin wrote this report. 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. 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. These fake pills are designed to look like real prescription pills right down to the size, shape, color and stamping. "The unsupervised, unregulated detail system practically encourages police officers to break the law, " Jordan said. NEW ORLEANS, La. One hour away from New Orleans, and one hour away from Baton Rouge. 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. THE GANG'S ALL HERE: Suspects busted in yesterday's sweep are booked by FBI agents at the Army . biggest drug bust in new orleans. Federal agents were monitoring the telephone lines as the killing was discussed, but were powerless to prevent it, Gallagher said. The massive haul included 351kg of cocaine, 92kg of heroin and 250kg of Class-B drug cannabis. [via Rolling Stone, 1970] [Originally published 1/31/17] The greater Los Angeles area has many international airports, freeways, and bus and train lines that make it easy for shipments to be smuggled to other destinations. Neel left the building without police officers speaking with her, according to the arrest report. 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. City leaders say that gang is responsible for 15 murders since 2008. Drug trafficking is probably the most lucrative illegal money maker, which the richest drug dealers of all time can attest to. And in this drug bust, all five of the top drugs were involved.. The investigation remains ongoing. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. TORONTO -. Jordan, at a news conference with Gallagher and Police Superintendent Richard Pennington, said more indictments could follow in the coming weeks. The China white heroin recovered -- worth approximately $3 billion on the street -- was described, at the time, as the largest heroin bust in U.S. history, according to U.S. Customs. The seizure also helped police shut down business specializing in selling marijuana horticulture supplies. At times, he said, the lives of undercover agents posing as drug traffickers were in danger. 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. Gallagher said the yearlong investigation involved more than 60 federal agents from across the country and was conducted with utmost secrecy. A month of surveillance and a coordinated law enforcement effort produced one of the biggest drug busts weve ever seen. . In the world of drug enforcement, it pays to be patient. "Unfortunately, we were not provided on Oct. 13 with enough information to allow us to prevent it, " he said. Next: The U.S. helps with an international drug bust. The suspect, Candyce Neel, 41, was found hiding behind her apartment building after a search of the residence was completed. In cooperation with Panamas government, a Coast Guard ship stopped and searched a container ship, and discovered more than 42,000 pounds of cocaine worth $350 million. Doing business as GO GET IT ENTERPRISES, LLC, a Louisiana-based company, WILLIAMS laundered the proceeds of his drug dealing operations in violation of 18 U.S.C. The estimated street value of the pills is between $15 to $20 million. }N|Q ~#'~B# ~CY0t:_=SuLGk*|"-3]$SfwrAgm* L NEW ORLEANS, LA - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DORIAN WILLIAMS, age 47, of Gretna, Louisiana, pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and engaging in money laundering of profits from his drug trafficking. NOPD arrests 15 in undercover drug bust. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. heroin dealer in Lower Ninth Ward, Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images, First evidence for horseback riding dates back 5,000 years, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, After Murdaugh trial 'circus,' Walterboro welcomes normality, Ohio derailment tests Sen. Brown's push to buck Dem defeats, In Britain, warm hubs emerge to beat soaring energy costs. January 21, 2011 5:00am. ]Rs$%ooED Heroin is responsible for . And, in the first four months alone of 2022, DEA Los Angeles have seized an estimated 1.5 million of the pills -- a 64% increase over the same period in 2021. On November 19, 2020, agents conducted an investigatory stop on WILLIAMSs vehicle. There were seven overdose deaths last year in Pointe Coupee Parish. 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. 66y% A%@F~HeA~@bzj\)L!D94`; (d>AM3f 1 Jesse Reynolds, 31, and Eddie "Primo" Coronado, 26, were arrested Thursday night at their home, 3813 Connecticut Ave. "The arrest is the result of a two-month undercover operation," Caraway said at a news conference at police headquarters. 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 . NEW ORLEANS, LA U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DORIAN WILLIAMS, age 47, of Gretna, Louisiana, pled guilty to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and engaging in money laundering of profits from his drug trafficking. Real cocaine - more than 130 kilos - was used throughout the sting, as was real money, $97,000 of which was distributed to officers in payments as large as $6,000. Criminal drug networks in Mexico are mass-producing illicit fentanyl and fake pills pressed with fentanyl in filthy, clandestine, unregulated labs, the DEA warned in their statement. 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. 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. h{oFJ'Sn. 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. From Wall Street to the underworld, if theres one thing weve learned its that crime pays and pays big. Len Davis, eight other New Orleans police officers, charged in drug sting. It will end because we are never going to stop going after these people.". Cops probing the discovery of drugs worth 38million found concealed on lorries have arrested 19 Brits. The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item. Authorities obtained a federal arrest warrant for Wayne Handy on weapons violations and drug trafficking charges. As a result of this, we had to increase significantly the security of the FBI undercover agents.". Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. 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. Two men described as violent drug traffickers - Paul "Cool" Hardy and Damon Causey - have been charged in the Oct. 13 murder. June 1, 2021, 11:02 PM. New Orleans, La. New Orleans is a New York with nearly 5,000 murders a yearan unlivable place. "Concerned citizens" passed on the tip about Reynolds and Coronado, who were the only people living in the single-story house on Connecticut Avenue. Copyright 2022 WAFB. Published Nov. 1, 2022 12:46 p.m. PDT. 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. . PART OF AUDACY NEWS. are spent on heroin than any other drug. Copyright 2019 WVUE. LSP Col. Lamar Davis says getting these drugs off the streets saves countless lives. That dealer turned out to be a federal informant. Officials say additional arrests are expected. In 1989, authorities seized more than 21 tons of cocaine worth roughly $6.9 billion on the street sitting in a nondescript warehouse. 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. Police seized drugs from each of their rooms. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. The New Brunswick RCMP has arrested five people and seized "significant quantities" of weapons and drugs in what it says may be the largest fentanyl . Weve been on the case this whole time.. You have permission to edit this article. 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. July 02, 2020 Contact: Public Information Officer Phone Number: For Immediate Release Wyoming's largest drug bust leads to two decades in prison CASPER, Wyo.