When you see a little small city, like New Roads with this, we got a problem, District Attorney Tony Clayton said. Authorities confirmed Edwards was distributing narcotics throughout the Pointe Coupee area, and on Thursday, Aug. 4, they executed multiple search warrants. The bulk shipments of drugs are usually broken down into smaller quantities and transported to other states or distributed to local dealers, the DEA said. (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). One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. 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. 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. Drug trafficking is probably the most lucrative illegal money maker, which the richest drug dealers of all time can attest to. German, Belgian, and Dutch authorities working in concert completed what they are calling Europe's largest cocaine seizure and one of . 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. 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. - Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Arnold Devonne Butler, 54, today in Casper. 1 on the countdown. "One in law enforcement may consider that a gift from heaven. Eastern District of Louisiana )` ORLEANS COUNTY, N.Y. A man from Medina faces numerous drug and weapons charges following a raid at two locations in Orleans County. Agents conducted surveillance on two of these properties WILLIAMSs stash house (Stash House) and home, both in Gretna. Following the advisement of his Miranda Rights, which he waived, WILLIAMS provided verbal and written consent to search his Stash House and home. Largest Settlements: Place Population; Le Pont-de-Claix: 11,963 (2016) Other Languages: View 78 more. One early meeting almost led to a showdown, he said. 18 massive drug busts - CBS News At various times, the police officers conducted counter-surveillance of the undercover agents. 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. 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. The DEA, however, has been getting more successful year on year at stopping and seizing drug shipments. The Biggest Drug Busts in Texas | Banyan Treatment Centers The conversations simply did not alert us to what would occur. According to Strasser, Harris Henderson, 43 of Schreiver, Louisiana, was charged last July in a one-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine. 20 people charged, $61M worth of drugs seized in largest bust in UK's biggest drug smuggling bust 19 held as '38m haul found in juice Minutes before the slaying, Davis was heard giving Hardy a description of Groves' clothing, prosecutors said. New Orleans Man Found Guilty of Drug and Weapons Violations The biggest drug busts in U.S. history seized billions of dollars worth of narcotics. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy. Agents seized approximately 66 kilograms of cocaine and about $3.9 million in drug proceeds hidden inside his Gretna stash house and home. Next: Another 2018 raid is among the biggest drug busts ever. Among their charges were conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing meth. During the investigation, Strasser said authorities recovered 85 pounds of meth, more than 20 pounds of cocaine and 18 AK-47s. "The police officers did the same, and this was captured on videotape.". 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. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. Authorities seized 46 pounds of pot and $300,000 in cash in 2014 during a big bust in the smallest state in America. 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. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. She had been accused of stealing $5,000 from a man she'd been staying with. P:. Sting Operations - Drug Busts | Cops TV Show - YouTube Chief Serpas says all of the people involved in this operation have a lengthy rap sheet. Gallagher said the yearlong investigation involved more than 60 federal agents from across the country and was conducted with utmost secrecy. endstream endobj 1099 0 obj <>stream The Government and WILLIAMS have agreed that WILLIAMS was responsible for possessing with intent to distribute between 50 kilograms and 150 kilograms of cocaine. Official websites use .gov Hfrk3Q+uY`!fSl^SrWJ|gmx1~3&`jnh\"h,o-Q !1 The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force says Xavier . Next: We remain in the 20th century the rest of the way. Roughly enough Heroin to supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month. You can call this one the mole-man drug bust, in a sense. ", "We were concerned that he may engage in acts of violence. 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. New Orleans continues to be a heroin source city for Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. So far this year, there have been six. Ill say to you that this is mid-level cities type of drug drugs. The investigation remains ongoing. A warehouse raid in Hayward in the east bay seized 1,200 pounds of heroin worth roughly $3 billion. He and his Medellin cartel cohorts made an estimated $420 million each weeksupplying 80% of the cocaine in the United States in the 1980s. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Attorney Frank DeSalvo, who represents the Police Association of New Orleans, said Wednesday, "I just left three happy officers who didn't get indicted. Major drug bust in local parishes related to Mexican drug cartel The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item. That dealer turned out to be a federal informant. Nebraska might not be among the states with the most opioid abuse, but apparently, its a way station along the route to those places. 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. Acting on a tip, authorities searched a house and discovered nearly 18,000 pounds of wrapped cocaine estimated to be worth $1 billion. That led to a decision to shut down the operation, even as agents were gathering evidence on additional officers. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. Border agents in San Diego arrested an 81-year old woman after they found 34 heroin packages weighing 92 pounds. ` ;6 Strasser said he expects more arrests and indictments to come from the investigation. Gretna Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing 66 Kilograms of Cocaine and Spain police hail biggest ever drug bust after raid on Barcelona gang Twelve suspected drug dealers believed to be part of a large drug ring are locked up after a joint investigation. that they were contemplating ripping off the couriers. 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 $50,000 on him . A*HABAA$,Ms`i@LH){s$6V$H A:*qh@AA#XE$ Police are looking for Gerald Chambers Sr. and Eddie Dokes. When questioned by police, Rolland told the officers that the bag didn't belong to her and she didn't know where the drugs came from. endstream endobj 1098 0 obj <>stream h{oFJ'Sn. 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 . 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Federal agents caught two men with 86 pounds of heroin, which was worth roughly . 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. 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. NEW ORLEANS, La. 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. 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 Just last week, the District Attorney's office issued indictments against 20 people in the "3NG" gang on charges including racketeering and murder. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. Handy was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation S.W.A.T. You will see that in every parish were dealing with the harmful effects of these drugs, Pointe Coupee Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux said. June 1, 2021, 11:02 PM. New Orleans is a New York with nearly 5,000 murders a yearan unlivable place. They don't want to go get training and do something positive in this community. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Officials say additional arrests are expected. Biggest drug bust in Halton police history announced. A lock ( 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 suspect, Candyce Neel, 41, was found hiding behind her apartment building after a search of the residence was completed. One of the largest under cover drug busts in New Orleans history - YouTube 0:00 / 1:10 One of the largest under cover drug busts in New Orleans history 10,320 views Aug 14, 2018 Kinsey. We know what youre thinking Canada isnt the United States, so how come it shows up on our countdown? Have a question about Government Services? j"0C0ed 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. "It tells us that corruption in the Police Department is pervasive, rampant and systemic.". City leaders say that gang is responsible for 15 murders since 2008. The telephone also was used to monitor the telephone calls in which Davis allegedly ordered Groves' murder. ]Rs$%ooED Pointe Coupee coroner Donald Doucet said the increasing numbers are impacting the health care system. A staggering number of teens and young adults are unaware that they are ingesting fentanyl in these fake pills and are being poisoned.. Investigators identified multiple armed subjects who they say were selling narcotics at this intersection. The Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain geographically divide this area. They even sold drugs in the rain, every day from early morning till night. New Orleans Police and the FBI announce theyve arrested of a heroin dealer in the Lower Ninth Ward. It will end because we are never going to stop going after these people.". They estimated the drugs to be worth at least $870,000 on the street. If you factor in the two pounds of methamphetamines, cash, and guns, the DEA bust was probably closer to $7 million. All rights reserved. The street value of the drugs is about $1 million, according to Byerly. Orleans County drug bust nets fentanyl, 14 pounds of marijuana, $156K Special Agent Roberto Bryan, a spokesman for the DEA's New Orleans division, told NOLA.com that the division executed 10 search warrants and seized a "large quantity of synthetic marijuana . . Meth continues to be a problem in the state at large. PDF UNCLASSIFIED Greater New Orleans Situational Drug Report - DEA.gov Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, A Louisiana woman has been arrested after a tip led police to her apartment on suspicion of drug possession - and they subsequently found what they believed to be meth in a box in her home labeled "dope. Maybe there wasn't enough evidence. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. 1097 0 obj <>stream . .Q5G|a *PQ)gSa}t]e$A|pYIbh~Oxw,gI6Gqux;@xjA/*fv>u }ctVNBJFx8St>: CtB?`w6aVV^3QM$SoVpT(k5N1)Fm)JK >bA&U/T4pG._vX lN0 MO=qe%VMgp]UfESC^&Y^&UcbRfy6OVhB*{hu","rb j3Lo9TBk&.\-`w! Through the investigation, officials identified numerous members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) with Edwards as its leader. One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. Before him on a table were almost 9 pounds of marijuana, 7.5 grams of crack cocaine, almost $7,500 in cash, a scale used to weigh drugs and plastic bags used to package them. Cops probing the discovery of drugs worth 38million found concealed on lorries have arrested 19 Brits. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product -- with or without the users knowledge -- to increase its euphoric effects.. Lafourche Parish Special Narcotics Prosecutor Heather Hendrix explained these parishes were used as a thoroughfare both because of their proximity to major cities and their small size. 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. 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. 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. They say the drug dealers had no regard for children in the area or people who lived nearby. Many of them are believed to be part of a gang known as the 89er's or T-Blocc. That led authorities to a house in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where they seized $2 million worth of heroin as well as methamphetamines, a stockpile of cash, and an AK-47. They were cryptic and they did not take on significance until compared with other events. Next: Lets head down the coast for No. And were here to tell you that were not sleeping. (Louisiana State Police). 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. 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. New Brunswick fentanyl bust leads to 5 arrests | CTV News Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. As a result of this, we had to increase significantly the security of the FBI undercover agents.". Led by Davis, the officers proceeded cautiously at first, suspecting a possible set-up by authorities, Jordan said. Louisiana ring leader sentenced to 19 years in prison for drug 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. . So, while a 1984 raid in Colombia (with the help of the DEA) seizing 13.8 metric tons of cocaine worth $1.2 billion represents one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history, that was just a good month for Escobars clan. 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. "This arrest was very sizeable.". 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. Jordan, at a news conference with Gallagher and Police Superintendent Richard Pennington, said more indictments could follow in the coming weeks. Mayor Marc Morial answered questions about the indictments Wednesday, saying that "cavalier" cops would not be tolerated by his administration. Lock This investigation into the drug trafficking organization is ongoing. 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. The NOPD says 15 people were . Published Feb 25, 2021 3:23 PM by The Maritime Executive. We're going to clean this department up.". 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. New Orleans, La. Published Nov. 1, 2022 12:46 p.m. PDT. You have permission to edit this article. Chief Serpas says, though this investigation is not over, he does believe that the NOPD busted every member of the 89er's gang. 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. 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. 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. And in this drug bust, all five of the top drugs were involved.. Next: Proof that you cant hide anything from the authorities. There were seven overdose deaths last year in Pointe Coupee Parish. Sylmar is something of a sleepy town northwest of Los Angeles, but its the site of what might be the biggest drug bust ever. 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. New Orleans, La. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The Georgia State Patrol pulled over a car that contained drugs. The tunnel police found in California was 600 yards long, had lights and a working elevator, and contained 32 tons of marijuana worth roughly $65 million. United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo will sentence WILLIAMS on August 11, 2021. 66y% Massive drug ring operated for years out of lavish home on University Lake Well, the Drug Enforcement Agency aided the Edmonton police force as it made itslargest cash seizure to that point. 14 tons of. From Wall Street to the underworld, if theres one thing weve learned its that crime pays and pays big. 0W[AscR 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. Drug bust in Slidell leads to nearly 40 arrest warrants | WGNO The massive haul included 351kg of cocaine, 92kg of heroin and 250kg of Class-B drug cannabis. . NEW ORLEANS, La. $1 Billion In Illegal Marijuana Seized During Record-Breaking Drug Bust WILLIAMS sold six of these seven properties for a profit. . 1957(a) by purchasing and then developing these seven real estate properties with profits generated from his cocaine sales. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. . Wyoming's largest drug bust leads to two decades in prison Authorities seized nearly 500 pounds of methamphetamines worth roughly $18 million. 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.. That cellular telephone was used to monitor a lot of the details associated with protection of the warehouse.". Feds bust 127 in biggest mob sweep in US history (video) - New York Post An official website of the United States government. 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. "We're on a crusade. "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. 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.