biggest drug bust in new orleans biggest drug bust in new orleans

2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Assistant United States Attorney David Howard Sinkman is in charge of the prosecution. In The Pharmacist, Dan recalls his own home being destroyed, with the exception being his recordings and files that were kept in the attic. We're going to be in a holy war. 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. 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. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. All three are facing several narcotic charges, including conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo will sentence WILLIAMS on August 11, 2021. The other police officers were arrested Wednesday. Then, authorities discovered how the suspect got all those drugs via a 600-foot tunnel that crossed the border to Mexico. 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. Many of them are believed to be part of a gang known as the 89er's or T-Blocc. They even sold drugs in the rain, every day from early morning till night. that they were contemplating ripping off the couriers. Next: The U.S. helps with an international drug bust. 1097 0 obj <>stream The investigation was initiated in 2004 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI . 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. Through the investigation, officials identified numerous members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) with Edwards as its leader. Police started investigating back in September of 2012 after receiving a federal grant. We preempted those acts of violence with suggestions to people that they may not want to stay in a particular location.". 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. h2405U0P0405S0 This is the second methamphetamine-related arrest to go viral from West Monroe this year. Officials say additional arrests are expected. Police discovered more than 300 pounds of drugs worth $1 million during a traffic stop in southwestern Arizona. 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. 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. Major drug bust in local parishes related to Mexican drug cartel, prosecutors say, La. 1.San Francisco is home to the crown of the world largest ever recorded drugs bust. 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. A month of surveillance and a coordinated law enforcement effort produced one of the biggest drug busts weve ever seen. 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. Investigators said they confiscated heroin, cocaine, meth, pressed pills, marijuana, and synthetic marijuana worth $600,000. From Wall Street to the underworld, if theres one thing weve learned its that crime pays and pays big. 5 on the list to read about the U.S. Coast Guards big bust in 2007. She had been accused of stealing $5,000 from a man she'd been staying with. The nine officers indicted Wednesday were among 12 officers reassigned to desk jobs this week in the wake of the investigation. This individual was a major source of illegal and dangerous drugs in the Fifth District, NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said. Authorities seized nearly 500 pounds of methamphetamines worth roughly $18 million. 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. Federal agents caught two men with 86 pounds of heroin, which was worth roughly . It will end because we are never going to stop going after these people.". 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. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. They estimated the drugs to be worth at least $870,000 on the street. 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 . La. 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. 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. The seizure also helped police shut down business specializing in selling marijuana horticulture supplies. . 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. Gallagher said he was particularly concerned with the possibility of danger to undercover agents. One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. endstream endobj 1100 0 obj <>stream 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. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. .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! 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. 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. h{oFJ'Sn. "I will not tolerate it, " Pennington said. 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. ", "We were concerned that he may engage in acts of violence. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. endstream endobj 1099 0 obj <>stream Seven of them are believed to be members of the 89er's gang. hXmo8+"HX1Elk#6QYJT_3K`o"r8/saL'"c?$14"$FLXPBXq#,TZ|! j\6JB1"A ~GD 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS And were here to tell you that were not sleeping. Agents conducted surveillance on two of these properties WILLIAMSs stash house (Stash House) and home, both in Gretna. "6"f6C0%`{0fb9YY>y X,Czy9|:85Ci:=yvSnt1(juUZVD m@?~UAm1qXfG?A tX"|u `. . team without incident Tuesday, April 6 in the 1800 block of Andry Street. 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. DEA agents identified Southern California narcotic couriers and stash house managers who were responsible for distributing narcotics to other drug distributors in the area, the DEA said in a press release regarding the seizure. 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 . 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 $100,000 in bribes to protect a large-scale cocaine operation run by undercover FBI agents. }N|Q ~#'~B# ~CY0t:_=SuLGk*|"-3]$SfwrAgm* L ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item. Ill say to you that this is mid-level cities type of drug drugs. NEW ROADS, La. What surprised authorities most, however, was the ease at which new officers were brought into the sting. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Officials also reportedly seized one AR-15 rifle, and two semiautomatic handguns, one of which was stolen out of Pointe Coupee. Two 29-year-old men from Gray, Louisiana -- Hakeam Drane and Spencer Rounds, Jr. -- along with 28-year-old Larry Chatman of Thibodeaux, were charged on May 20, in a four-count indictment by a federal grand jury. Have a question about Government Services? ,8N;?Z,w]pIaw^;QJa1'FDQ9D$q June 1, 2021, 11:02 PM. Continue reporting this criminal activity. 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. 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 "In September, a disturbing development occurred, " Gallagher said. A warehouse raid in Hayward in the east bay seized 1,200 pounds of heroin worth roughly $3 billion. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. 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. Another 2018 haul is one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. endstream endobj 1098 0 obj <>stream Following the advisement of his Miranda Rights, which he waived, WILLIAMS provided verbal and written consent to search his Stash House and home. Chief Serpas says 15 people were using that corner to sell drugs. Michael Perlstein and Walt Philbin wrote this report. 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. 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. Among their charges were conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing meth. New Orleans is a New York with nearly 5,000 murders a yearan unlivable place. The estimated street value of the pills is between $15 to $20 million. "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.". The Government and WILLIAMS have agreed that WILLIAMS was responsible for possessing with intent to distribute between 50 kilograms and 150 kilograms of cocaine. ", In the days after the murder, the FBI overheard Davis and others planning other violent acts, Gallagher said. 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. More than 107,000 Americans have died as a result of fentanyl overdose or poisoning, according to the CDC. January 21, 2011 5:00am. 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. 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 GANG'S ALL HERE: Suspects busted in yesterday's sweep are booked by FBI agents at the Army . Published Feb 25, 2021 3:23 PM by The Maritime Executive. 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. "The police officers, not the FBI, brought in all of these bad, corrupt cops.". 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. The street value of the drugs is about $1 million, according to Byerly. 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. . Pennington said he immediately suspended the nine officers. NEW ORLEANS, La. "They don't want to be rehabilitated. )` 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. 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. You can call this one the mole-man drug bust, in a sense. A subsequent search of her home uncovered a plastic container containing suspected methamphetamines labeled with the word "dope.". During the investigation, Strasser said authorities recovered 85 pounds of meth, more than 20 pounds of cocaine and 18 AK-47s. As a result of this, we had to increase significantly the security of the FBI undercover agents.". Cocaine Bust Seizes $77 Million In Biggest New York-Area . Chief Serpas says all of the people involved in this operation have a lengthy rap sheet. Hfrk3Q+uY`!fSl^SrWJ|gmx1~3&`jnh\"h,o-Q !1 "One in law enforcement may consider that a gift from heaven. There's no question that perhaps as many as 15 to 20 more officers could have been apprehended, " Jordan 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). Copyright 2022 WAFB. Weve been on the case this whole time.. And in this drug bust, all five of the top drugs were involved.. So far this year, there have been six. Copyright 2019 WVUE. NOPD arrests 15 in undercover drug bust. 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. The investigation and bust were carried out on a decree from the Naples public prosecutor, the statement added. "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. "The police officers did the same, and this was captured on videotape.". The DEA, however, has been getting more successful year on year at stopping and seizing drug shipments. Police are looking for Gerald Chambers Sr. and Eddie Dokes. New Orleans continues to be a heroin source city for Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. 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. 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. 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. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. 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. Led by Davis, the officers proceeded cautiously at first, suspecting a possible set-up by authorities, Jordan said. Watson's bond is currently set at $3,100,000, according to KATC. 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Twelve suspected drug dealers believed to be part of a large drug ring are locked up after a joint investigation. 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 biggest drug busts in U.S. history seized billions of dollars worth of narcotics. A lock ( WILLIAMS sold six of these seven properties for a profit. Minutes before the slaying, Davis was heard giving Hardy a description of Groves' clothing, prosecutors said. "Unfortunately, we were not provided on Oct. 13 with enough information to allow us to prevent it, " he said. The NOPD says 15 people were arrested. New York man busted 3 times in 1 day on different drug charges, state police say. Eastern District of Louisiana Agents discovered approximately twenty-one (21) kilograms of cocaine in hidden drawer compartments inside a wooden TV cabinet in the Stash House, and approximately forty-five (45) kilograms of cocaine and $3.9 million in drug proceeds in WILLIAMSs home. Meth continues to be a problem in the state at large. He and his Medellin cartel cohorts made an estimated $420 million each weeksupplying 80% of the cocaine in the United States in the 1980s. Neel left the building without police officers speaking with her, according to the arrest report. They don't want to go get training and do something positive in this community. 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. On Monday, Lafayette police seized 23 pounds$2 million worthof meth in what's being called the largest drug bust in Lafayette Police . "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. Authorities obtained a federal arrest warrant for Wayne Handy on weapons violations and drug trafficking charges. After the killing was officially logged as a murder by police, Davis and Williams were overheard celebrating the murder with Hardy, they said. 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.