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. The Government and WILLIAMS have agreed that WILLIAMS was responsible for possessing with intent to distribute between 50 kilograms and 150 kilograms of cocaine. Authorities seized nearly 500 pounds of methamphetamines worth roughly $18 million. "We're on a crusade. Len Davis, eight other New Orleans police officers, charged in drug sting. 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. Published Nov. 1, 2022 12:46 p.m. PDT. 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. "Where are the consequences for these men who use drugs and weapons as their business? "asked Serpas at a news conference Friday. One early meeting almost led to a showdown, he said. Next: Another 2018 raid is among the biggest drug busts ever. New Orleans, La. 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. LAFAYETTE, La. 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. NEW ORLEANS, La. The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item. After the killing was officially logged as a murder by police, Davis and Williams were overheard celebrating the murder with Hardy, they said. The investigation was initiated in 2004 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI . Its going to take all of us for us to rip these drugs out of our communities, Davis said. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. 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. 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. 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. (BRPROUD) - Three men are . Lafourche is conveniently [located] for a drug dealer," Hendrix said. Sylmar is something of a sleepy town northwest of Los Angeles, but its the site of what might be the biggest drug bust ever. Police started investigating back in September of 2012 after receiving a federal grant. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. Officials say additional arrests are expected. So far this year, there have been six. 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. NOPD arrests 15 in undercover drug bust. For all of the caution exercised by Davis and the other suspects, the officers sometimes acted with a bravado that shocked federal authorities. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Eastern District of Louisiana According to the DEA, Los Angeles is a major transport and shipment hub for illegal drugs coming from the U.S.-Mexico border and are often stored in warehouses, storage units and residential properties in the region. This is the second methamphetamine-related arrest to go viral from West Monroe this year. Investigators identified multiple armed subjects who they say were selling narcotics at this intersection. In six months, agents out of the New Orleans DEA office made 411 arrests and seized 723 pounds of the drug and $4 million in cash and other assets, including 23 guns. The NOPD says 15 people were . La. On Monday, Lafayette police seized 23 pounds$2 million worthof meth in what's being called the largest drug bust in Lafayette Police Department history. Some of the narcotics found stashed on the lorries were hidden in children's juice boxes, police say. LSP Col. Lamar Davis says getting these drugs off the streets saves countless lives. "One in law enforcement may consider that a gift from heaven. United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo will sentence WILLIAMS on August 11, 2021. lX$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 NEW ROADS, La. Or maybe they didn't do anything.". Heroin is responsible for . 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. Thats a big bust in a big city, but its far from being one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. . 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. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. Massive drug ring operated out of lavish lakeside home in Baton Rouge for years. 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. A month of surveillance and a coordinated law enforcement effort produced one of the biggest drug busts weve ever seen. 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 . 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. They were cryptic and they did not take on significance until compared with other events. 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. 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. 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. German, Belgian, and Dutch authorities working in concert completed what they are calling Europe's largest cocaine seizure and one of . Official websites use .gov The operation involved around 80 investigators from nine . . WILLIAMS sold six of these seven properties for a profit. In The Pharmacist, Dan recalls his own home being destroyed, with the exception being his recordings and files that were kept in the attic. French: Le Pont-de-Claix, Grenoble, Isre, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France. Next: A bust that saved the equivalent of 26 million lives. 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. After the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, OxyContin became an even bigger problem in New Orleans. 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. 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 following arrests were made during the drug bust: Officials praise the collaboration between departments and the community to get these drugs off the streets. Weve been on the case this whole time.. All rights reserved. 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. This is the largest metropolitan area of Louisiana, with approximately 1.2 million residents. Feds bust 127 in biggest mob sweep in US history (video) By. Next: Proof that you cant hide anything from the authorities. If you factor in the two pounds of methamphetamines, cash, and guns, the DEA bust was probably closer to $7 million. Well, the Drug Enforcement Agency aided the Edmonton police force as it made itslargest cash seizure to that point. 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. Authorities obtained a federal arrest warrant for Wayne Handy on weapons violations and drug trafficking charges. Forget talking about just drug dealers, Pablo Escobar is one of the richest criminals who ever lived. On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's office in Baton Rouge announced half-a-dozen arrests for various . Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Minutes before the slaying, Davis was heard giving Hardy a description of Groves' clothing, prosecutors said. "Concerned citizens" passed on the tip about Reynolds and Coronado, who were the only people living in the single-story house on Connecticut Avenue. January 21, 2011 5:00am. 66y% The officers indicted Wednesday - Davis, Williams, Sgt. 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. 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. Neel left the building without police officers speaking with her, according to the arrest report. And were here to tell you that were not sleeping. 650 Poydras Street, Suite 1600 Attorney Frank DeSalvo, who represents the Police Association of New Orleans, said Wednesday, "I just left three happy officers who didn't get indicted. You can call this one the mole-man drug bust, in a sense. "This is a sizeable arrest for us," Caraway said. Agents also identified multiple addresses associated with WILLIAMS in the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana area. 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. A%@F~HeA~@bzj\)L!D94`; (d>AM3f 1 These fake pills are designed to look like real prescription pills right down to the size, shape, color and stamping. "We put everyone on notice today. [via Rolling Stone, 1970] [Originally published 1/31/17] Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. The DEA, however, has been getting more successful year on year at stopping and seizing drug shipments. In October 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced one of the largest drug busts in history. Local. A dozen people are facing charges after a months-long . Kingpins can make billions when their drugs hit the street, but the authorities do their best to prevent that from happening. 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. NOPD, FBI bust major N.O. They even sold drugs in the rain, every day from early morning till night. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. In 1989, authorities seized more than 21 tons of cocaine worth roughly $6.9 billion on the street sitting in a nondescript warehouse. These fake pills typically replicate real prescription opioid medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and alprazolam (Xanax); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall).. 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. New Orleans Police and the FBI announce theyve arrested of a heroin dealer in the Lower Ninth Ward. 0W[AscR Davis has been in custody since Monday, when he was charged with ordering the murder of Kim Groves near her Alabo Street home. "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. The warehouse protection was run almost like a paid detail - a moonlighting job like the kind many officers hold - except the pay scale was much higher than the usual $15 an hour, authorities said. 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. They estimated the drugs to be worth at least $870,000 on the street. biggest drug bust in new orleans. 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. Sting Operations - Drug Busts | Cops TV Show COPSTV 645K subscribers Subscribe 2.8K Share 172K views 8 months ago Watch our officers going undercover as drug dealers to clean up the streets. There's no question that perhaps as many as 15 to 20 more officers could have been apprehended, " Jordan said. Authorities subsequently obtained a federal search warrant and executed the drug bust on July 5 at a residence in Inglewood which resulted in the seizure of approximately one million fake pills laced with fentanyl that were intended for retail distribution with an estimated street value of between $15 to $20 million. As part of his guilty plea, WILLIAMS agreed to forfeit nearly $5 million in drug proceeds, real estate properties in New Orleans purchased with drug proceeds, and two cars. ,8N;?Z,w]pIaw^;QJa1'FDQ9D$q 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 covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. Investigators said they confiscated heroin, cocaine, meth, pressed pills, marijuana, and synthetic marijuana worth $600,000. "I will not tolerate it, " Pennington said. Officials also reportedly seized one AR-15 rifle, and two semiautomatic handguns, one of which was stolen out of Pointe Coupee. Maybe there wasn't enough evidence. The NOPD released surveillance pictures Friday. Major drug bust in local parishes related to Mexican drug cartel, prosecutors say, La. 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. 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. ORLEANS COUNTY, N.Y. A man from Medina faces numerous drug and weapons charges following a raid at two locations in Orleans County. P:. June 1, 2021, 11:02 PM. The investigation and bust were carried out on a decree from the Naples public prosecutor, the statement added. New Orleans is a New York with nearly 5,000 murders a yearan unlivable place. endstream endobj 1099 0 obj <>stream All rights reserved. She later admitted that the suspected dope belonged to her after being read her rights. She had been accused of stealing $5,000 from a man she'd been staying with. An official website of the United States government. (Louisiana State Police). 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. 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. 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. Strasser said he expects more arrests and indictments to come from the investigation. . Nearly a quarter 22% . "It tells us that corruption in the Police Department is pervasive, rampant and systemic.". Australia's biggest ever drug bust made as police reveal how they thwarted a Mexican drug cartel and prevented $1billon worth of cocaine entering the country Twelve arrested as part of. Roughly enough Heroin to supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month. Pennington said he immediately suspended the nine officers. Chief Serpas says 15 people were using that corner to sell drugs. 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. ` ;6 That led to a decision to shut down the operation, even as agents were gathering evidence on additional officers. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. 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 . 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. . 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.