March 27, 2021 3:10 PM in News. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris will be prosecuting the cases. The giant haul had been divided into 633 packages that were stashed in a hidden compartment, each of which would have been repackaged for distribution in Texas, Chicago, St. Louis, and Atlanta. Other drugs seized within that area include marijuana . Agents at eight . It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. In Bastrop County, fewer than 10 people died from drug overdoses both in 2019 and 2021, according to state health figures. An additional four guns were recovered at other search locations. Eight additional firearms were seized at search locations in Washington and California. The alleged leaders of the drug distribution ring, Jose Maldonado-Ramirez, 33, and his fianc, Iris Amador-Garcia, 30, of Bellflower, California, were arrested October 28, 2021. Aware of some of the groups trafficking, law enforcement seized 10 pounds of methamphetamine in a traffic stop on May 16, 2020. "It's a staggering amount to be seized at one time," Eduardo Chavez, the special agent in charge for DEA Dallas, told local TV station WFAA. On March 27, 2020, Guthrie was convicted in Bell County for possession of a controlled substance less than one gram and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to court documents. NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) A variety of methamphetamine drugs, valued at some $16,000,000, was seized during several multi-agency North Texas drug busts over the last two months. Annie Rose Lewis of Temple, 31, was also named in an indictment charging one count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm that alleges she possessed a .380 caliber pistol on Dec. 21, 2020 after she was convicted in 2011 in federal court of manufacturing counterfeit currency. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Screenshot from Bexar County Sheriff video. (KWTX) - Federal agents swept through Central Texas on Thursday and Friday and arrested 15 area residents named in sealed drug trafficking and firearms indictments, the U.S. Attorney's Office . Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers carried out three unrelated seizures last week, two of which occurred in the same day. All the suspects were charged with drug crimes, with most in connection to a wide-scale trafficking ring in Leon and Gadsden counties. The North Little Rock man appeared in federal court . "One pill one time can kill," Oz said, noting that the US had . Various people working with law enforcement provided information regarding the drug distribution activities. Amid an 800 percent surge in seizures of fentanyl statewide due to porous borders, Texas will create a new criminal offense for the manufacture or delivery of the drug, the governor has announced. At the time, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said it was the second-largest bust ever, behind only a 5,000-pound bust in December 2019 in Laredo, Texas. 2:00 AM on Feb 3, 2021 CST. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting these cases. The Texas-Mexico border has been a hub for drug trafficking for years. The DEA and our partners are focused on the most dangerous criminals in Washington. CBS News Texas: Free 24/7 News . In the home, law enforcement found five gallon-sized plastic bags filled with drugs, which were stashed in the master bedroom along with other smaller-sized plastic baggies of assorted colors. To access the data used to build this dashboard, please visit the CBP Data Portal. U.S. Frank Medina Jr, age 43 of Temple; HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) . 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. According to a release from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Drug Enforcement Admiration arrested 13 people as part of Operation Hartbreak Kid, which was named after the man agents believe to be the lead defendant in the case, 27-year-old Derrick Hart. A locked padlock bust in U.S. history, finding more than 5,528 pounds of the drug . BRADY, TX - U.S. The cause, the Republican governor said, is President Bidens border policies, which have caused a crisis for those in the region. "They were like sausage links. She has produced a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. In January 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administrations Dallas division reported the largest methamphetamine and heroin seizure in the branchs history. There were 16.5 tons of the drug found in seven shipping containers late Monday night, officials said. This federal grand jury indictment charges 31-year-old Annie Rose Lewis of Temple with one count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on December 21, 2020, Lewis possessed a .380 caliber pistol. (210) 384-7257
Lock The Waco Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Unit has been around for a few years here in McLennan County, and since their existence theyve been constantly working to remove drugs out of the area and remove gang members, and make the city and the county a little bit safer, so this just part of the operation they did, said Sgt. Sheriff Javier . The first indictment charges 16 Central Texans with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Cocaine, Meth, & Firearm Drug Bust in Dallas. Suite 115 0:00. Anthony Gutierrez, Jose Gutierrez, Crigger, Gentile, Sutton and Warrick would each face 10 years to life in federal prison if convicted because the quantity level charged is at least 500 grams, authorities said. File photo showing packages of methamphetamine crystals. Jose Gutierrez, Crigger and Lewis were already in custody prior to yesterday. 950 N Federal Highway The amount of drugs seized was so large, a hazmat crew from the Houston Police Department were called in to assist.4, Investigators with Homeland Security Investigations conducted what they claimed to be the largest meth seizure in Houstons history. Drug ledgers were also found, which contained customer and payment information, in addition to 14 firearms, some of them loaded. Posted on March 2, 2023 by Constitutional Nobody. The second operation began with the investigation of a stolen vehicle parked outside a business. The objectives of this operation were to hold those accountable for the menace of illegal narcotics trafficking, and the violence associated with it, which has plagued our communities for far too long in the state of Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest, stated DEA Special Agent in Charge, Frank Tarentino. Ashley Nicole Sutton, age 31 of Belton; This federal grand jury indictment charges 35-year-old Cory Joe Barton of Gatesville with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. We knew there was a possibility there would be quite a bit of dope there, but that is a huge quantity of methamphetamine, said McNamara. Anthony Gutierrez, Jose Gutierrez, Crigger, Gentile, Sutton and Warrick face between 10 years and life in federal prison upon conviction because the quantity level charged is at least 500 grams. Roberts and Keith are both accused of distributing drugs in the Bellmead area. Wesley Warrick, age 50 of Cameron; All rights reserved. To illustrate the impact of drug trafficking on the opioid epidemic and drug addiction in the U.S., were sharing the biggest drug busts in Texas this year. Drugs Texas DEA Crime. The indictments also named Anthony Gutierrez, aka Cuzzo, 34 of San Juan in Hidalgo County. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Bobby Quinton Gentile, age 43 of Holland; Later that evening, officers encountered a daily express consignment truck hauling a shipment of vinyl samples arriving from Mexico. According to KNEL, on Apr. So glad to get that off the street.. The haul was the largest meth bust in North Texas's history. During a search of the residence where Iris Amador-Garcia was living with her brother and co-conspirator, Mario Amador-Garcia, 31, and co-conspirator, Bayron Eberto Garcia-Perez, 33, agents seized a kilogram of fentanyl or heroin, 80,000 pills of suspected fentanyl, and 2 firearms. The 34-year-old singer was found dead in his bathtub in November 2022. Packages containing 114 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge. SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) A big drug bust on San Antonio's North side. Aug 31, 2021 Updated Dec 7, 2021. While the problem began to emerge in 2020, during which the states Department of Public Safety seized 11 pounds of fentanyl, it exploded in the first four months of 2021, Abbott explained. Greg Abbott said he planned to soon sign a bill that had passed the Texas Senate, as overdose cases on the synthetic opioid spike. According to this CBS News report, law enforcement officials busted the perps with nearly 375,000 marijuana plants, plus over 30,000 pounds of weed that was already harvested. Indictment #1 U.S. v. Gutierrez, et al. Defendant Healer engaged in an armed stand-off with law enforcement today. During the initial roundup, the Drug Enforcement Agency were able to arrest over 15 people for . In May 2021, authorities seized 1,789 pounds of meth in north Houston, as well as large quantities of other narcotics, during an investigation near North Shepherd and I-45 in north Houston. On Wednesday, January 27, 20 packages containing 51.49 pounds of cocaine discovered were also found in a tractor manifesting a shipment of kitchen cabinets coming in from Mexico. The third federal indictment charges 43-year-old Lori Oliphint of Temple with intent to distribute under 50 grams of methamphetamine on August 19, 2020. AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Eleven alleged drug traffickers have been arrested and charged in Amarillo, announced U.S. attorney for the . The fifth federal indictment charges 31-year-old Annie Rose Lewis of Temple with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. WACO, Texas (KWTX) - McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara is praising the work of his deputies and fellow law enforcement officers after an operation - hailed as the biggest meth bust in the history of the McLennan County Sheriffs Office - led to three arrests and the seizure of more than $500,000 in methamphetamine. Today's takedown marks the latest major drug bust in the OAG's Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (SURGE) Initiative, a law enforcement effort that brings together state and local law enforcement to target New York's growing and often violent heroin, opioid, and narcotics trafficking networks. Authorities arrested Oliphint yesterday. "We continue to seize these large amounts of drugs, and what we want our constituents to know and the good citizens of Tarrant County to know [is that] this is a clear and present danger to us until we continue this fight," said Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn. Thirteen people were arrested Thursday and more than $1 million were seized in a major drug bust that stretched from Athens to Atlanta. If you know someone whos addicted to this drug, we offer heroin detox and addiction treatment at Banyan Treatment Centers Texas that can help. The remaining defendants face between five years and 40 years in federal prison if convicted because the quantity level charged is at least 50 grams. That opens up large gaps of tens, or sometimes hundreds of miles, where the drug cartels have the ability to get fentanyl across the border.. Aleah Freitag, age 29 of Rockdale; Law enforcement officials say the drug investigations are ongoing. By Tamlyn Cochran. Joe David Beck, age 50 of Temple; If convicted, Oliphint faces up to 20 years in federal prison. The 32 kilos of narcotics seized have a street value of $2 million, police said. Oliphint, who was arrested Thursday, faces as much as 20 years in prison if convicted. Otay Mesa CBP Officers Intercept Deadly Drugs Worth More Than $15 Million. Unfortunately, methamphetamine is one of the largest threats in North Texas, so we would anticipate that a lot of it was destined for the market here.". The Biden administrations undoing of former President Donald Trumps border policies has prompted a flood of Central American and Mexican illegal migrants at the US border, including thousands of unescorted children. Nhan Thanh Vo, 38, was charged with one federal count of . Lewis has a 2011 federal conviction for manufacturing counterfeit currency. Our services include 24-hour medical supervision and counseling to ensure that our patients are safe, healthy, and getting the resources they need to get and stay sober. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Let's put the drug bust into perspective. Updated: Jun 22, 2021 / 11:41 AM . Homeland Security said the bust was part of a joint operation that included the DEA, ATF, Houston police and fire, Texas DPS and Harris County Pct. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. "I see a lot of lives saved when we can stack up kilograms of drugs like this on a table," Chavez said. BOSTON - Two members of a Cape Cod heroin trafficking ring have been sentenced to 10 years and nine years in prison for their roles in a violent kidnapping captured on video. Posted: Jun 21, 2021 / 04:36 PM MDT. LIKE 25 NEWS KXXV ON FACEBOOK FOR THE LATEST CENTRAL TEXAS STORIES. The DEA has seized a record 20 million fentanyl pills nationwide this year, including more than 9.5 million in Arizona alone. Drug Bust. Copyright 2022 KWTX. BRADY, TX - Nearly 30 people were arrested in Brady Friday morning during a drug trafficking sting operation led by the Drug Enforcement Agency. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 51.79.248.208 Fentanyl is a highly addictive synthetic opioid. This undated photo provided by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows seized drug bundles containing 132 pounds of methamphetamine on display from Feb. 25, 2021, at the Laredo port of entry. Ryan Howard, spokesman for DPS. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. It is unseen to the general public, but importantly, this unseen thing coming across the border is deadly dangerous, Abbott explained, referring to the drug. Amid an 800 percent surge in seizures of fentanyl statewide due to porous borders, Texas will create a new criminal offense for the manufacture or delivery of the drug, the governor has announced . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Dallas division of the DEA has made the largest methamphetamine seizure in North Texas. While officials would not confirm how many people were arrested, they did say they believe the narcotics are from a cartel. During the stop, a search of the vehicle was conducted. The amount of heroin seized by DEA Field Divisions increased by 30% from 2018 to 2019, with the largest amounts of heroin seized in Texas, California, Arizona, and New York. DEA Takes Down Major Drug Ring in the Heart of Texas. Drug Seizure Statistics FY2023. During the investigation that led to the indictments, authorities seized about four kilograms of cocaine, seven kilograms of methamphetamine, and a half dozen firearms. However, when authorities showed up at the home in question, they found more than they were anticipating. 54 Individuals Indicted for Roles in Distributing Heroin, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine "Dangerous drugs have devastated too many communities throughout our state and claimed too many lives," said Attorney General James.. "As New Yorkers and Americans across the country witnessed the greatest number of drug overdose deaths in history in 2020, the defendants here were allegedly . Im just proud of our officers and the work they put together with other agencies We want to make it as difficult as we can for them to get their dope.. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The GBI said they seized more than 38 kilograms of methamphetamine worth about $530,000, marijuana, illicit pharmaceuticals, 11 firearms, 34 vehicles bought with money from drug proceeds, and . Approximately four kilograms of cocaine, roughly seven kilograms of methamphetamine and half a dozen firearms were seized during the investigation. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Young, unsuspecting Texans are buying drugs that are laced with fentanyl.