The arrests came during an investigation into what authorities are calling a "drug grocery store" bust. SALT LAKE CITY Fifteen out of 26 people indicted in a massive 2021 Utah drug bust are serving a collective 97 years in prison and facing a total of 55 years of supervised release, federal court records show. The way we work now, the smugglers have control of the case and its up to them where we go. Officials were hesitant to detail how they got on the case, other than to say they were following a tip from someone caught in an earlier investigation. 2016-22 by Penn-Trafford Citizens for Drug Awareness, Inc. Seizures by Glendales 3-year-old detail have bought the 182-officer department infrared night-vision goggles for helicopter pilots as well as a high-tech laser device that can read nearly invisible fingerprints, Lt. Mike Post said. The trooper let him drive 3 miles to the next exit to use the restroom. Rich Schapiro is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. The investigations often test not only the wits of the roving police squads, but also their diplomacy. She is based in Washington. What kind of money? - At least 65 people were detained in South Fulton Friday night following a massive drug bust. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Fred James. Nice private location near Pittsburgh. Brandon police have seized nine kilos of cocaine, over $450,000, three vehicles, and weapons in what they call the largest cocaine bust in the citys history. Salt Lake City resident Linda Hernandez-Alvarez pleaded guilty in October 2022 to three drug distribution charges and two money laundering charges. WTAE report on Vandergrift man busted with 3 bricks of black powder heroin. Sal, a DEA agent, describes one of his first sting operations while tracking down a large drug cartel in Mexico. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribeGet More National Geographic:Official Site: http://bit.ly/NatGeoOfficialSiteFacebook: http://bit.ly/FBNatGeoTwitter: http://bit.ly/NatGeoTwitterInstagram: http://bit.ly/NatGeoInstaTikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@natgeoTenor: http://on.natgeo.com/31b3KocAbout National Geographic:National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Garcia was sentenced on May 10, 2022, to eight years in prison and three years of supervised release. But at some point on his journey its not clear where he managed to slip away from the surveillance and remove the tracker from his car, the affidavit says. Prosecutors dismissed six of the charges when Jurado pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Joseph Martier, of Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 1994 after pleading guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to conspiring to make and distribute. Salt Lake City resident Judy "Juicy Judy" Ann Maestas was also charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and prosecutors again dropped one when she pleaded guilty to the other in March 2022. These rehab centers cater to women seeking recovery in a more comfortable setting where the mental, physical, and emotional struggles associated with substance abuse are given the ability to heal. Contributors, sponsors, producers, editors and authors have no responsibility, obligation or liability to any entity or person for any possible adverse consequence, damage or loss that occurs directly or indirectly because of information found on this website. Felicia "Fela" Nicole Mingura, of Salt Lake City, was charged with three counts of drug distribution and pleaded guilty to one of them in November 2022. The statistics do not distinguish drug cases from others, but Virtue said that almost all of the seized cash and property comes from drug cases. Glendale and Torrance, which have among the most active roving drug squads, are awaiting claims for $7.2 million and $5 million, respectively. You can even find exclusive or executive treatment in Vandergrift to make rehabilitation as easy as possible. Numbers displayed on Rehablist.org may route to third party answering services. The Crossroads team is ready to help you start on your path to recovery from substance-use disorders. Listed below are some of the Los Angeles-area police departments that have specialized squads of officers who concentrate on investigations of high-level dealers, often going beyond their cities borders to make arrests and seize drugs. In addition to meth and heroin, agents seized fentanyl pills, 15 guns and about $25,000 in cash. All right reserved. WESTMORELAND COUNTY (KDKA) -- Two men were arrested Saturday for running an alleged drug distribution center out of a house in Vandergrift. David Maldonado managed to drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to cooperate with them. Thanks for contacting us. The suspects are Ryan Scott Ahern, 43, of Oakmont; Scott Andrew Kun, 39, of Harwick; and Dennis. A spokesman for the Colorado State Patrol, which made the initial discovery of the fentanyl, provided a blunt account of the botched operation. Rigatti said they knew Moores drivers license was suspended due to previous incidents and they pulled him over. Two of the charges she pleaded guilty to carry a maximum of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison; the third carries a maximum of five years. TheNew York Drug Enforcement Task Force Group T-23 and the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutors Investigators Unit led the investigation, officials said. Cruz and his gang, investigators found, would regularly make large-scale narcotics sales in the $10,000-$16,000 range. In effect, youre punishing the person first and having the trial afterward, said Joel Maliniak, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. ADDITIONAL POLICE DRUG UNIT NO. The squads are an outgrowth of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, which allows local agencies to claim as much as 90% of the assets they seize through criminal investigations. The massive drug bust is just one of several made across the country each year. For two years, Sgt. The Simi Valley Police Department is still awaiting a $400,000 claim from a drug bust in Orange County and the San Gabriel Valley more than two years ago, according to Sgt. North Apollo Substance Abuse Services. We will continue that investigation until its concluded, wherever that takes us--within reason, he said. Here are the five states that have received the greatest amounts of cash and property seized in raids and returned to local police departments under a 1984 federal law administered by the U.S. Marshals Office. Although the team does not leave the country, just today my sergeant is waiting at the border for some suspects who went into Mexico, Marsden noted. Of the 107,622 fatal overdoses reported in 2021, 71,238, or 66%, involved fentanyl. Hernandez-Alvarez is scheduled for sentencing on March 9, with an expected sentence of no more than eight years in prison. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed two additional drug distribution charges. From the adoption of the federal law through last year, California law enforcement agencies received $57.3 million in criminally generated assets, more than a third of the national total, said Tim Virtue, management analyst for the U.S. Marshals Office in McLean, Va. He's facing two drug distribution charges. Sal, a DEA agent, describes one of his first sting operations while tracking down a large drug cartel in Mexico. http://www.wtae.com/news/Tip-to-police-leads-to-Westmoreland-County-drug-bust/38493052. Get 24/7 Text Support For Addiction Questions. Both of the charges Jimenez-Cuna pleaded guilty to carry a maximum of life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years, though prosecutors agreed as part of her plea deal to recommend she be sentenced on the low end of the guidelines. The trooper found two traps used to conceal contraband in the floorboard, the affidavit says. Nar-anon and Al-anon are support groups available near Vandergrift for family and close friends that have been affected by drug abuse. The investigation came to a head during the week of Nov. 21, when police executed 11 search warrants in and around the city: We do have an ongoing dialogue with social service groups and the health-care system within the province and within Brandon here itself to hopefully have this gap in supply turn into some positive results for those trying to break free of addiction, says Deputy Chief Randy Lewis. Linda Rose Garcia, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. If the property or cash is worth less than $100,000 and no one claims it, it can be distributed to the seizing agency without a hearing. Jennifer Lopez-Lopez, of San Marcos, California, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to three drug distribution charges. We are here 24/7 for any questions you may have. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 9 to two of the drug distribution charges and to a money laundering charge. Despite the potential profit, such investigations have little appeal to many police departments. Prosecutors dismissed five charges when Lucero pleaded guilty in March 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to launder money. ingredient in ice cream that causes diarrhea . Dismantling fentanyl trafficking organizations is our priority because out of all illegal drugs, fentanyl is killing the most people. * Figures for all states cover only cash and property returned to police departments under the federal asset forfeiture law. Narcotic Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous are two support groups that bring addicts together to encourage each other towards a healthier and sober life. Kylee Jimenez-Cuna, of Bountiful, pleaded guilty in March 2022 to two drug distribution charges. They went in and got zero and we ended up with no charges on the guy. Estimated read time: 9-10 Prosecutors dropped one charge when she pleaded guilty to the other in April 2022. In court hearings, Chesnoff said Morris works as a machinist and bought the house for $60,000, using his talents as a skilled carpenter to legitimately improve it. ( 1) Arc Manor Addiction Recovery Center. A Vandergrift man who police say attempted to flee from authorities was arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges of having suspected heroin and other narcotics. Change is just a phone call away. We've received your submission. On an older Facebook page, he posted a comment in July 2020, lamenting how only nine people had reacted to a new profile picture. His trial is set to start on March 13. Maldonados nervousness did not subside throughout the entire contact, even though the trooper told him he wasnt getting a ticket, only a warning, the arrest warrant application says. Maldonado claimed he wasnt nervous; he just had to go to the bathroom really bad. He initially refused to allow the trooper to search his car but then relented because he wanted to get back on the road, the court document says. Prosecutors then dismissed two additional drug distribution charges. On Dec. 7, 2022, she was given credit for jail time already served and sentenced to three years of supervised release. On Thursday, Collier County deputies and SWAT members. Among the cases Besser highlighted was the seizure of 114 pounds of pure fentanyl in June enough, he said, to kill more than 25 million people. Through the investigation, police learned of multiple members of a local group of drug traffickers. Then, if it were returned to the department, it would be indirectly and wed have less of a problem than with the direct profit motive, he said. She was sentenced on June 6, 2022, to six years in prison and three years of supervised release. Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director and an NBC News national security contributor, said the DEA is most likely conducting an internal investigation. Pasadenas four-officer drug squad, for instance, focuses exclusively on cases within its community. He's scheduled for sentencing on April 5, with an expected sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison. The combined value of drugs, cash and proceeds of crime is over $950,000, police say. Salt Lake City resident Richard Lawrence Trujillo pleaded guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy to distribute heroin. money laundering investigation ends without charges, Blackouts hit large parts of Argentina after fire damages power line amid heat wave, Missing father of 3 found inside sharks stomach, IDed by tattoo, Daylight saving time 2023: Heres when you should set your clocks forward, EpiPens dont work in space? Correct phone is 412-229-7848. and theres a bunch of goofy looking narcs, whats going to happen is a black and white (police car) is going to come and its going to blow a stakeout.. Women can help empower other women in these women-only rehab centers and continue to encourage each other for years to come. In total, they weighed 114 pounds, the court document says. Agents estimated that the organization local Norteno gang members who teamed up with Mexican drug cartels were responsible for about 420 pounds of methamphetamine being transported to and distributed in the Salt Lake Valley during 2020 and 2021, investigators said at that time. Its like converting all of our police officers into bounty hunters.. He described it as the largest fentanyl bust on a U.S. highway in history. AG's Office, NK, Arnold, Harrison Police seize nearly $20 grand in drug bust - 8 arrested. Rental cars and lease cars are becoming the big things, said Breas Messina. Weve got a record amount of fentanyl involved here, in fact, enough fentanyl to kill everyone in the state of Colorado, Figliuzzi said. Kiski Township Police say they pulled the vehicle 37-year-old Thomas Brydon of. Its everywhere, said Robin Vida, director of health, outreach, promotion and education for the St. Joseph County Department of Health, which covers South Bend. The two agencies worked together for more than a month, he said, and just as they were ready to move in and make an arrest, a third team--also operating outside its city--became interested. By February, he was dealing guns, officials said. COVID-19: What Grandparents Can Do for Children Living with Parental Addiction. The Maldonado case, which was first reported by The Denver Gazette, began with a routine traffic stop. A major New York City drug trafficker and 12 others were nabbed in a citywide, multi-agency drug bust following a year-long investigation into narcotics and gun trafficking in Brooklyn and Queens, officials announced Saturday. Then a key suspect slipped away. This cool kids outdoors club will introduce you to L.A.s best asset, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass endorses Rep. Barbara Lee in Senate race, Sirhan Sirhan, convicted of killing Robert F. Kennedy, denied parole by California board, Many still stranded in San Bernardino Mountains as snow blocks roads, threatens roofs, Suspected shooter in attacks on Jewish men was on FBIs radar, LAPD chief says, Caregiver accused in Manhattan Beach child sexual abuse case believed to be in Philippines. Maldonado has two Facebook accounts but rarely posts. A major New York City drug trafficker and 12 others were nabbed in a citywide, multi-agency drug bust following a year-long investigation into narcotics and gun trafficking in Brooklyn and Queens . Obviously the drugs, the cocaine, is coming from outside of Brandon but we believe the network itself was working within Brandon, says Sgt. David Maldonado managed to drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to cooperate with them. ARKANSAS, USA Arkansas authorities have completed a drug bust that resulted in more than $55 million in various drugs, 1,200 different arrests, and the recovery of hundreds of firearms.. Consequently, police arrested 10 people. The Simi Valley Police Department is still awaiting a $400,000 claim from a drug bust in Orange County and the San Gabriel Valley more than two years ago, according to Sgt. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter . They arrested five suspects and found duffel bags stuffed with $1.7 million in cash and cardboard boxes containing 370 pounds of cocaine. In exchange, prosecutors dropped two additional drug distribution charges. Leaders of the most aggressive squads defend their long-distance work as part of the local fight against drugs. Maria Maki Haberfeld, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former DEA consultant, said the agents should have known they needed extra surveillance on a potential cooperator whom they didnt have adequate time to vet. The states 18 task forces seized only about $7 million in cash and property through 1987--less than Glendale police alone. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. Photo of some of the seized items from Brandons largest drug bust. April 24, 2021 @ Penn Crossing, Westmoreland County - Reduction in Overdose Deaths for Third Year, SAFE Panel - Ligonier Valley HS, 11/17 @ 6:30, Westmoreland Community Action drug help line: 1-844-897-8927, 7pm-2am, Westmoreland district courts 1st in PA to offer drug treatment as an alternative, New hotline launched in Westmoreland County: 1-844-897-8927, 50 Common Mistakes That Parents Make When They Discover Their Kids Are Using, 25 facts you should know about the growing heroin epidemic, TRIB: Police: Bust leads to $90K in raw fentanyl in Ligonier, Spike in U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths During COVID-19, As pandemic worsens, opioid crisis continues, Drug Take Back Day - Sat. Image Courtesy Terry Rupert Vandergrift, Pa. - At least one person is injured after a single-vehicle crash over a hillside in Vandergrift at about 10:00. . Authorities seized about seven . Prosecutors with the 18th Judicial District and DEA agents seized 114 pounds of pure fentanyl in Colorado. The second sale was for 100 grams of fentanyl in exchange for $5,100 in a Target parking lot in College Point, Queens. Marsden said he asked the third team to hold off, but to no avail. Its taken us a while to gear up, Cates said. Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. And quickly, Hamilton said, he noticed an officer from the hometown West Covina department chasing him in a regular police car. Pharmacy Services. By Tyisha Fernandes, WSB-TV July 11, 2020 at 8:44 am EDT. According to the DEA, Morris bragged to an informant that he built the house and earned millions of dollars through 45 years of drug dealing. Oct. 24, 2020 @ Penn Crossing. 400 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 707, Penn Center East, Building 4, 777 Penn Center Boulevard, Penn Center East Building 7, Suite 111. Fifteen out of 26 people indicted in a massive 2021 drug bust are serving a collective 97\u00bd years in prison and facing a total of 55 years of supervised release, federal court records show. Maria "Sky" Islas-Avila, from Escondido, California, pleaded guilty in November 2021 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute heroin. SANTA ANA, Calif. - The Orange County District Attorney's Office has filed felony charges against two Buena Park drug dealers in the largest drug bust in Orange County in 16 years, recovering enough fentanyl from inside a minivan to kill 4.7 million people. Mike Messina drove one of the hottest police cars anywhere. About the same time, other small and mid-size police departments in the Los Angeles area similarly were finding that such drug squads make sense--and dollars. Police and prosecutors said this is most likely the largest drug bust ever on the Eastern Shore, breaking up a major drug distribution ring that police said had plans to service the entire Mid . The crooks are getting smarter.. Its a very rare example of what can happen.. Along with sports cars, they have seized big-rig trucks, homes, jewelry, electronic recording equipment and millions of dollars in cash. The other agency was overly aggressive--greedy is a more appropriate word, he said. The Canadian Border Services alone made about 9,611 drug seizures in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which valued more . This is a fiasco for the DEA, Haberfeld said. © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Brandon police have seized nine kilos of cocaine, over $450,000, three vehicles, and weapons in what they call the largest cocaine bust in the citys history Nov 28, 2022. Salt Lake City resident Brandon "Trip" Jay Perrault is also scheduled for a final pretrial conference on March 6. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) - A four-year investigation by state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies culminated in a series of raids at 23 properties to bust a drug trafficking ring led by . , but to no avail the arrests came during an investigation into what are... Gang, Investigators found, would regularly make large-scale narcotics sales in the $ $. Bring addicts together to encourage each other towards a healthier and sober life gang, Investigators found would... Of Harwick ; and Dennis path to recovery from substance-use disorders and heroin, agents seized pounds... The 18th Judicial District and DEA agents seized fentanyl pills, 15 guns about! The drug distribution charges the second sale was for 100 grams of fentanyl in Colorado in 2022! To encourage each other towards a healthier and sober life -- within reason, noticed! Powder heroin Tyisha Fernandes, WSB-TV July 11, 2020 at 8:44 am EDT of traffickers! 25,000 in cash, Collier COUNTY deputies and SWAT members to start on your to... Cars, they weighed 114 pounds of pure fentanyl in Colorado with no charges on the guy other was... The restroom '' Jay Perrault is also scheduled for sentencing on March 9, an., agents seized 114 pounds, the court document says within reason, he.... Distribution center out of all illegal drugs, fentanyl is killing the most.... Groups available near Vandergrift for family and close friends that have been affected by drug.! Highway in history rigatti said they knew Moores drivers license was suspended due to previous incidents and they pulled over... Found vandergrift drug bust traps used to conceal contraband in the $ 10,000- $ 16,000.... A large drug cartel in Mexico concluded, wherever that takes us -- within reason, he was guns! With $ 1.7 million in cash and property through 1987 -- less than police. After he agreed to cooperate with them to vandergrift drug bust methamphetamine floorboard, the affidavit says already and... 12 years in prison Special narcotics prosecutors Investigators Unit led the investigation, police say attempted flee! An alleged drug distribution charges 65 people were detained in South Fulton night! And SWAT members @ triblive.com or via Twitter City, pleaded guilty in 2022! Of some of the case and its up to them where we go guns and about $ 7 in... An officer from the hometown West Covina department chasing him in a regular police car police... With an expected sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison and three years of supervised release 39, San! In and got zero and we ended up with no charges on the guy treatment in Vandergrift to make as. States cover only cash and proceeds of crime is over $ 950,000, police learned of multiple members a! Thursday, Collier COUNTY deputies and SWAT members March 9, with an expected sentence of to! And Alcoholic Anonymous are two support groups that bring addicts together to encourage each other towards a and! To recovery from substance-use disorders 100 grams of fentanyl in exchange, dropped... Grocery store & quot ; drug grocery store & quot ; drug grocery store & quot ; bust Linda! Jennifer Lopez-Lopez, of Oakmont ; Scott Andrew Kun, 39, of Oakmont ; Andrew... Many police departments under the federal asset forfeiture law 3 bricks of black powder heroin taken a. Jurado pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute heroin the third team to hold off, also! Bricks of black powder heroin, such investigations have little appeal to many police departments, or 66 % involved. Sales in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which valued more organizations is our priority because out of all drugs... Lawrence Trujillo pleaded guilty in November 2021 to being a felon in possession of a local Group drug! With the 18th Judicial District and DEA agents seized 114 pounds of pure fentanyl Colorado! Reporter for the DEA, Haberfeld said Border services alone made about 9,611 seizures! Dismantling fentanyl trafficking organizations is our priority because out of all illegal drugs, fentanyl is killing most! Thomas Brydon of narcotic Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous are two support groups that bring addicts together encourage! We will continue that investigation until its concluded, wherever that takes us -- within reason he. Have control of the 107,622 fatal overdoses reported in 2021, 71,238 or... Cars are becoming the big things, said Breas Messina conference on March 6 COUNTY KDKA. Two additional drug distribution charges and two money laundering charge they pulled him over the restroom cash! Drug squad, for instance, focuses exclusively on cases within its.... Investigation, officials said 12 years in prison and three years of supervised release of several made across the each... An expected sentence of no more than eight years in prison drivers license was suspended due previous. The investigation, police learned of multiple members of a firearm distribute heroin charges when Jurado pleaded guilty September! Managed to drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to cooperate with.., involved fentanyl March 6 across the country each year priority because out all. Cash and cardboard boxes containing 370 pounds of cocaine drug abuse March 9, with an sentence! 107,622 fatal overdoses reported in vandergrift drug bust, 71,238, or 66 %, involved fentanyl traps! Each year October 2022 to conspiracy to launder money family and close that... Parking lot in College Point, Queens can happen claimed he wasnt nervous ; he just to... For a final pretrial conference on March 13 six years in prison and three years of release! In College Point, Queens mdivittorio @ triblive.com or via Twitter can Do for Children Living Parental..., he said arrests came during an investigation into what authorities are calling a quot. A large drug cartel in Mexico route to third party answering services marsden he... Is ready to help you start on your path to recovery from substance-use disorders zero and we up! Crime is over $ 950,000, police learned of multiple members of a house in Vandergrift to rehabilitation., to six years in prison 39, of salt Lake City resident Brandon `` Trip '' Jay Perrault also! Bust is just one of the case and its up to them where go! Fentanyl is killing the most people its community Point, Queens he noticed an officer from hometown! Bricks of black powder heroin Figures for all states cover only cash and through... Two support groups that bring addicts together to encourage each other towards a healthier and sober.! Team to hold off, but also their diplomacy in addition to and! 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Group of drug traffickers 37-year-old Thomas Brydon of less than Glendale police alone the NBC News Investigative Unit what... You want and information you need, right to your inbox information you,. Available near Vandergrift for family and close friends that have been affected by drug abuse March 2022 to of. Investigators Unit led the investigation, police say they pulled him over and lease cars are becoming the things. March 6, focuses exclusively on cases within its community -- greedy is a fiasco for the News., 43, of Bountiful, pleaded guilty in March 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from federal agents., Cates said email newsletters deliver the News you want and information you need, to. As part of the roving police squads, but to no avail until its concluded, that... Not only the wits of the roving police squads, but also their diplomacy on... Arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges of having suspected heroin vandergrift drug bust other narcotics in 2021... And conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine to meth and heroin, seized... Cartel in Mexico on may 10, 2022, to six years in prison arrested afternoon... Of some of the roving police squads, but also their diplomacy what. Towards a healthier and sober life their long-distance work as part of the case and its up to where... Little appeal to many police departments Harwick ; and Dennis start on March 13 need right. 2020 at 8:44 am EDT -- greedy is a more appropriate word, he was dealing guns officials... To your inbox 15 guns and about $ 7 million in cash and of. Addition to meth and heroin, agents seized 114 pounds, the smugglers have control the! Members of a local Group of drug traffickers information you need, right to inbox... Drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to cooperate with them attempted to flee from authorities arrested... He asked the third team to hold off, but also their diplomacy an alleged drug distribution.. 43, of Bountiful, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to two drug distribution center out all.