The other police officers were arrested Wednesday. (Louisiana State Police). "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. Neel left the building without police officers speaking with her, according to the arrest report. Drug smuggling isnt a very wholesome father and son activity, but here we are. "The police officers did the same, and this was captured on videotape.". U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, Hammond Police Department, New Orleans Police Department, and Slidell Police Department in investigating this matter. "I will not tolerate it, " Pennington said. All three are facing several narcotic charges, including conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. Two men described as violent drug traffickers - Paul "Cool" Hardy and Damon Causey - have been charged in the Oct. 13 murder. If you factor in the two pounds of methamphetamines, cash, and guns, the DEA bust was probably closer to $7 million. "Lennie Davis asked for a cellular telephone, " Gallagher said. 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 . 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. 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. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking marijuana. These fake pills typically replicate real prescription opioid medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and alprazolam (Xanax); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall).. endstream endobj 1100 0 obj <>stream by | Jun 5, 2022 | sundowner low pro trailers for sale | philly restaurant week 2022 | Jun 5, 2022 | sundowner low pro trailers for sale | philly restaurant week 2022 One of the biggest drug busts Florida has ever seen was straight out of a movie. Police seized drugs from each of their rooms. team without incident Tuesday, April 6 in the 1800 block of Andry Street. The Georgia State Patrol pulled over a car that contained drugs. 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. Authorities confirmed Edwards was distributing narcotics throughout the Pointe Coupee area, and on Thursday, Aug. 4, they executed multiple search warrants. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. A lock ( Among their charges were conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing meth. 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. Border agents in San Diego arrested an 81-year old woman after they found 34 heroin packages weighing 92 pounds. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Each faces up to life in prison, while Davis could face the death penalty in connection with Groves' murder. 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. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo will sentence WILLIAMS on August 11, 2021. These fake pills are designed to look like real prescription pills right down to the size, shape, color and stamping. Agents also identified multiple addresses associated with WILLIAMS in the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana area. Ronal Serpas says this investigation is the result of good police work and concerned citizens who refused to let drug dealers take over their neighborhood. Chief Serpas says all of the people involved in this operation have a lengthy rap sheet. Next: Lets head down the coast for No. They even sold drugs in the rain, every day from early morning till night. You have permission to edit this article. 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 undercover agent was very clever, however, and stripped before the police officers to show that he was not wired at the time, " Jordan said. In 1991, police officers seized 59 boxes containing 1080 pounds of Heroin, with a street value ranging from $2.7 billion to $4 billion. The seizure also helped police shut down business specializing in selling marijuana horticulture supplies. One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. Pennington said he immediately suspended the nine officers. 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 . 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. Next: Proof that you cant hide anything from the authorities. NOPD arrests 15 in undercover drug bust - fox8live.com 1957(a) by purchasing and then developing these seven real estate properties with profits generated from his cocaine sales. Feds bust 127 in biggest mob sweep in US history (video) By. They were contemplating taking an act of violence against the primary undercover agent. (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). Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborate to make largest drug bust 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. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. h{oFJ'Sn. In the biggest drug bust in Liberty County's history, the DEA seized $1 million worth of methamphetamine in a home at County Road 2191 off FM 787. Officials say additional arrests are expected. Biggest drug bust in Halton police history announced. Officials also reportedly seized one AR-15 rifle, and two semiautomatic handguns, one of which was stolen out of Pointe Coupee. Any defense by officers that they didn't know what was stored at the site will be countered with hours of taped conversations, they said. Thats a big bust in a big city, but its far from being one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. "Where are the consequences for these men who use drugs and weapons as their business? ,8N;?Z,w]pIaw^;QJa1'FDQ9D$q The . Agents spent the following weeks investigating the murder, U.S. Attorney Eddie Jordan Jr. said. Australia's biggest ever drug bust made as police - dailymail.co.uk Next: Not the kind of father and son activity most people do. Ill say to you that this is mid-level cities type of drug drugs. Ff 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. New Orleans, La. A%@F~HeA~@bzj\)L!D94`; (d>AM3f 1 NEW ORLEANS, La. The DEA offices in Los Angeles seized approximately three million fentanyl pills in 2021 -- close to three times the amount seized in 2020. Published Nov. 1, 2022 12:46 p.m. PDT. 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. Have a question about Government Services? On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's office in Baton Rouge announced half-a-dozen arrests for various . h2405U0P0405S0 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. Next: We remain in the 20th century the rest of the way. 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. Well, the Drug Enforcement Agency aided the Edmonton police force as it made itslargest cash seizure to that point. From Wall Street to the underworld, if theres one thing weve learned its that crime pays and pays big. . [via Rolling Stone, 1970] [Originally published 1/31/17] In The Pharmacist, Dan recalls his own home being destroyed, with the exception being his recordings and files that were kept in the attic. Which Politicians Had Terrible Diseases Like John McCain. 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. One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. Led by Davis, the officers proceeded cautiously at first, suspecting a possible set-up by authorities, Jordan said. Meanwhile, he said, agents kept a close eye on Davis and were prepared to arrest him at "any time of the day or night. A locked padlock 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. 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. You will see that in every parish were dealing with the harmful effects of these drugs, Pointe Coupee Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux said. Gretna Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing 66 Kilograms of Cocaine and 18 massive drug busts - CBS News Appointed in October, he acknowledged that he inherited a department riddled with corruption and vowed to weed out bad officers through aggressive internal investigations. The drug trafficking organization was responsible for the distribution of heroin and other controlled dangerous substances in St. Tammany Parish, Orleans Parish and in south Mississippi. 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. hXmo8+"HX1Elk#6QYJT_3K`o"r8/saL'"c?$14"$FLXPBXq#,TZ|! j\6JB1"A ~GD Minutes before the slaying, Davis was heard giving Hardy a description of Groves' clothing, prosecutors said. We're not going to tolerate it, " Morial said. "We were able to intercept some conversations among the police officers who were on the protection detail . 17 of the Biggest Drug Busts in U.S. History Are Worth Billions La. 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. You can call this one the mole-man drug bust, in a sense. In April, the officers agreed to protect a drug shipment, then stunned an agent posing as a big-time cocaine dealer by showing up in uniform, Gallagher said. A subsequent search of her home uncovered a plastic container containing suspected methamphetamines labeled with the word "dope.". 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. Neel has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and is being held in jail on a $3,000 bond. 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. The officers indicted Wednesday - Davis, Williams, Sgt. The Biggest Drug Busts in Texas | Banyan Treatment Centers - Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Arnold Devonne Butler, 54, today in Casper. Gallagher said the yearlong investigation involved more than 60 federal agents from across the country and was conducted with utmost secrecy. Many of them are believed to be part of a gang known as the 89er's or T-Blocc. "The unsupervised, unregulated detail system practically encourages police officers to break the law, " Jordan said. 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 on July, 5, 2022, in Inglewood, California. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. %PDF-1.6 % The street value of the drugs is about $1 million, according to Byerly. lX$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 NOPD released surveillance pictures Friday. 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. Remember when we discussed a secret drug tunnel in Arizona that authorities discovered in 2018? 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. 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. 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. Investigators identified multiple armed subjects who they say were selling narcotics at this intersection. 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. Meth continues to be a problem in the state at large. NEW ROADS, La. The Grateful Dead Were "Busted Down On Bourbon Street," On - L4LM ", In the days after the murder, the FBI overheard Davis and others planning other violent acts, Gallagher said. Authorities seized nearly 500 pounds of methamphetamines worth roughly $18 million. Next: The U.S. helps with an international drug bust. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Next: A bust that saved the equivalent of 26 million lives. 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. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product -- with or without the users knowledge -- to increase its euphoric effects.. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. Next: Where have we heard this one before? The suspect, Candyce Neel, 41, was found hiding behind her apartment building after a search of the residence was completed. Forget talking about just drug dealers, Pablo Escobar is one of the richest criminals who ever lived. On November 19, 2020, agents conducted an investigatory stop on WILLIAMSs vehicle. Well, a 2011 raid in San Diego originated the idea. Watson's bond is currently set at $3,100,000, according to KATC. 0W[AscR woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond. It will end because we are never going to stop going after these people.". They chose to be drug dealers, they chose to be gun-toters, they chose to put children at risk. This individual was a major source of illegal and dangerous drugs in the Fifth District, NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said. For all of the caution exercised by Davis and the other suspects, the officers sometimes acted with a bravado that shocked federal authorities. Weve been on the case this whole time.. DEA Launches 'Largest Ever' Synthetic Drug Bust - US News & World Report 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. Kingpins can make billions when their drugs hit the street, but the authorities do their best to prevent that from happening. The DEA, however, has been getting more successful year on year at stopping and seizing drug shipments. English: Le Pont-de-Claix. Or maybe they didn't do anything.". 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 NOPD says 15 people were . Next: The biggest bust this city has ever seen. New Orleans is a New York with nearly 5,000 murders a yearan unlivable place. She has a long history of prior arrests, with previous charges including possession of stolen goods, driving without a license, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and failure to appear in court. (BRPROUD) - Three men are . Assistant United States Attorney David Howard Sinkman is in charge of the prosecution. P:. hT And in this drug bust, all five of the top drugs were involved.. Nebraska might not be among the states with the most opioid abuse, but apparently, its a way station along the route to those places. Michael Perlstein and Walt Philbin wrote this report. In the following months, the FBI orchestrated an elaborate sting and watched in amazement as Davis and Williams recruited seven other cops to protect drug shipments and guard a cocaine-filled warehouse on Franklin Avenue, sometimes while on-duty and in uniform, Gallagher said. 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. She had been accused of stealing $5,000 from a man she'd been staying with. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Biggest drug bust in Halton police history announced 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. . Louisiana Woman Arrested After Police Discovers Her Meth Stash in There's no question that perhaps as many as 15 to 20 more officers could have been apprehended, " Jordan said. Copyright 2022 WAFB. A staggering number of teens and young adults are unaware that they are ingesting fentanyl in these fake pills and are being poisoned.. We're going to be in a holy war. 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 says 15 people were arrested. Nearly a quarter 22% . This is the largest metropolitan area of Louisiana, with approximately 1.2 million residents. 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. Watch on. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. "It tells us that corruption in the Police Department is pervasive, rampant and systemic.". Some of the narcotics found stashed on the lorries were hidden in children's juice boxes, police say. Gallagher said he was particularly concerned with the possibility of danger to undercover agents. German, Belgian, and Dutch authorities working in concert completed what they are calling Europe's largest cocaine seizure and one of . 20 people charged, $61M worth of drugs seized in largest bust in A*HABAA$,Ms`i@LH){s$6V$H A:*qh@AA#XE$ . j"0C0ed "The police officers, not the FBI, brought in all of these bad, corrupt cops.". After the killing was officially logged as a murder by police, Davis and Williams were overheard celebrating the murder with Hardy, they said. 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. 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. They say the drug dealers had no regard for children in the area or people who lived nearby. A month of surveillance and a coordinated law enforcement effort produced one of the biggest drug busts weve ever seen. Major drug bust in local parishes related to Mexican drug cartel, prosecutors say, La. NOPD, FBI bust major N.O. heroin dealer in Lower Ninth Ward - Audacy