Cruz and 12 others were arrested in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx on charges contained in two indictments and two criminal court complaints that were filed on Saturday. David Maldonado managed to drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to cooperate with them. Due to the sensitive nature of our investigation, we are unable to provide any additional information at this time to prevent compromising any aspect of our case, the agency said in a statement. He's facing three drug distribution charges and a money laundering charge. In Simi Valley, drug money bought a mobile crime lab, updated equipment for the SWAT team, 9-millimeter handguns for all officers and $200,000 to upgrade and expand the police computer system. My client is on bail and cannot live in his house . 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. They went in and got zero and we ended up with no charges on the guy. In addition, the Fullerton squad was not aware that a DEA task force was watching the same house, Detective Kevin Hamilton recalled. Actual name is Rio Health Clinic. In total, 33 pounds of cocaine and 25 pounds of fentanyl mixtures were seized along with an assault weapon and three guns. 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. The ultimate irony is not only are they stripped of their ill-gotten gains, said Sgt. How bad is it? The newcomer team, by contrast, had been tailing the suspect for only part of that day after buying 2 kilograms of cocaine from him, he said. Disclaimer : RehabList.org presents educational information, not medical advice. Youve got to remember what our primary role is--to get the dope dealers off our street in our city, explained Lt. Jerry Schultze, head of the unit. Glendale and Torrance, which have among the most active roving drug squads, are awaiting claims for $7.2 million and $5 million, respectively. During the lengthy investigation, an undercover officer purchased large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin with a street value of more than $3 million, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. The suspect, David Maldonado, 27, had agreed to cooperate with federal agents and help them arrest the drug traffickers in South Bend, Indiana, where he said the fentanyl was headed, according to the Colorado State Patrol. For three months in early 1986, the Simi Valley officers worked in 12- to 14-hour shifts watching the suspects houses from parked cars, then followed the drug dealers to what later turned out to be drug stash pads., It was a long and tedious investigation, James recalled. Only about 10% of all forfeitures, accounting for about half of the property seized, are contested, Cates said. Brian Michael Fioravanti, of Salt Lake City, is scheduled for a preliminary revocation hearing on Feb. 13 and a final pretrial conference on March 6. Its everywhere, said Robin Vida, director of health, outreach, promotion and education for the St. Joseph County Department of Health, which covers South Bend. He was sentenced on June 3, 2022, to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. Although the specialized officers know the advantages of going it alone--the less you rely on other agencies, the more the pie is yours, Messina noted--the quest for the big raid inevitably requires some coordination with other police departments. Officials said Suriel introduced several other alleged drug traffickers to a co-representative of Cruz about selling narcotics in Queens and Brooklyn. Under the federal law, confiscated property is held by federal marshals while the U.S. attorneys office notifies potential claimants of the seizure and places public notices in newspapers. Some police agencies report, however, that suspects are beginning to adjust to the rules of the game in an attempt to make seizures more difficult. Show more Show more Making a Deal With a Cartel Boss | Locked Up Abroad National. In total, they weighed 114 pounds, the court document says. Drug Abuse & Addiction Centers (559) 825-8288. To best serve your overall health needs, we offer convenient, personalized pharmacy and healthcare services right at your fingertips. Proudly created with Wix.com. 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. Rich Schapiro is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. Suboxone; recovery from substance abuse; addiction medicine; drug rehab; Subutex; Buprenorphine. He is charged with operating as a major trafficker. WESTMORELAND COUNTY (KDKA) -- Two men were arrested Saturday for running an alleged drug distribution center out of a house in Vandergrift. On an older Facebook page, he posted a comment in July 2020, lamenting how only nine people had reacted to a new profile picture. The Canadian Border Services alone made about 9,611 drug seizures in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which valued more . North Apollo Substance Abuse Services. AG's Office, NK, Arnold, Harrison Police seize nearly $20 grand in drug bust - 8 arrested. West Valley City resident Jeffrey Kraig Ellis pleaded guilty in December 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. A search of his bedroom turned up more than 21 grams of marijuana in 23 bags, along with a scale, the paper reported. We also have available information on Vandergrift support groups that will aid your journey towards sobriety. Joe "Jojo" Robert Rael, of Salt Lake City, faced six charges, including drug possession, drug distribution and money laundering. Law enforcement identified 41-year-old Nelson Cruz as the ringleader of the operation. I wanted you to see that behind the scenes there is aggressive and tenacious police work being done and prosecution being done to save lives and to bring people to justice.. The way we work now, the smugglers have control of the case and its up to them where we go. By February, he was dealing guns, officials said. Spawned by federal legislation that allows local law enforcement agencies to claim assets they seize from criminals, nearly a dozen departments have created squads of up to eight officers who specialize in high-stakes drug investigations, often well beyond their communities boundaries. 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. Of the 107,622 fatal overdoses reported in 2021, 71,238, or 66%, involved fentanyl. 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 information does not count as actual medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat any disease or health issue. Its just a different philosophy., But when one of the roving drug units appears into his area and makes a splashy raid, Schultze conceded: You get a little jealous. But Maldonado began running afoul of the law while he was still in his teens. This is a fiasco for the DEA, Haberfeld said. Here are 10 you cant miss, Randall Emmett, Ambyr Childers settle domestic violence restraining order dispute, 12 reasons why Sycamore Avenue is L.A.s coolest new hangout, Ask your barista! As part of the plea deal, prosecutors have agreed to recommend that Lopez-Lopez be sentenced on the low end of sentencing guidelines. In August 2013, he was pulled over by police who allegedly found a marijuana pipe in his car as well as a handgun wrapped in a pillowcase, according to a report in The Muscatine Journal in Iowa. 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. The treatment center helps addicts who are on the way to recovery, embrace God and reconnect w. YP, the YP logo and all other YP marks contained herein are trademarks of YP LLC and/or YP affiliated companies. 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. Of the remaining 11 defendants, five are scheduled for sentencing; one is expected to take a plea deal; one is scheduled for trial; and four have cases pending at various points in the legal system. * Figures for all states cover only cash and property returned to police departments under the federal asset forfeiture law. Marshals confirmed that its Colorado Violent Offender Task Force is hunting for Maldonado, who was described in the affidavit as being 6-foot-2 and weighing 245 pounds. Madeleine McCann: Polish police dispute womans claims she is missing girl, Canadian cities cutting transit services could cause death spiral, researcher warns, Winnipeg police announce massive $6 million drug bust, Massive, multi-year B.C. The law not only put up for grabs property used directly in a crime, such as cars that transported cocaine, but also any assets bought with illegal proceeds, such as homes or yachts. 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. We specialize in medication-assisted treatment, and we are dedicated to providing the most accessi. 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. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? But after this story was published, a DEA official confirmed the seizure of 114 pounds of fentanyl. The driver, identified as Maldonado, told the trooper he had spent a week in the town of Grand Junction visiting family. Attorneys for people who have had property seized argue that the law erodes basic rights. Weve got a record amount of fentanyl involved here, in fact, enough fentanyl to kill everyone in the state of Colorado, Figliuzzi said. A lethal dose of fentanyl is as little as 2 milligrams; authorities recovered 20.5 . Suriel and the Cruz co-rep made their first sale to an undercover cop in October 2021. A wiretap investigation revealed Cruz was conspiring with other defendants to distribute narcotics throughout the city. Additionally, upon release, he'll be remanded to ICE. He was charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and prosecutors dropped one when he pleaded guilty to the other in December 2021. Salt Lake City resident Celina "Baby G" Alexandra Garcia pleaded guilty in February 2022 to distribution of a controlled substance. Salt Lake City resident Victor Jurado pleaded guilty in February 2022 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The federal law requires that confiscated property and cash be used for law enforcement. And quickly, Hamilton said, he noticed an officer from the hometown West Covina department chasing him in a regular police car. Salt Lake City resident Jesus Avila-Garcia is scheduled for a final pretrial conference on March 6. 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. Such hauls, in turn, have helped create some of the best-equipped police departments around, financing helicopters, computers, night-vision goggles and other high-tech crime-fighting gear. Its terribly oppressive, Chesnoff said. This investigation highlights how drug traffickers are armed and dangerous, selling drugs and guns on our city streets, DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarantino III said in a statement. The payoff came when the team raided rented houses in La Puente, El Toro, Anaheim Hills and an apartment in Hacienda Heights. How did arrests more than 40 miles away tie in to Simi Valley? The arrests came during an investigation into what authorities are calling a "drug grocery store" bust. He was sentenced on Sept. 21, 2022, to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Salt Lake City resident David "Droops" Soto-Acosta pleaded guilty in August 2021 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 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. When the suspect sped away in a blue station wagon, both teams of undercover officers followed in their unmarked cars. Cruz and his gang, investigators found, would regularly make large-scale narcotics sales in the $10,000-$16,000 range. Vandergrift has 30 women only and 21 men only rehab centers within 150 miles of the city center. Prosecutors dismissed five charges when Lucero pleaded guilty in March 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to launder money. Drug Bust; First published on November 11, 2021 / 11:37 AM Vandergrift has 55 residental and 182 outpatient treatment centers within 100 miles of the city center. The first arrest was made on June 7 and the final on June 15 after police executed search warrants at locations in Brooklyn and Queens and the Bronx that yielded the massive amounts of drugs and several guns. Estes was sentenced on Sept. 21, 2022, to three and a half years in prison and three years of supervised release. He ran on them after they worked the case, and that was their debacle.. To some critics, however, the practice is turning police officers into bounty hunters. He was sentenced on Jan. 20, 2022, to two years in prison with credit for time served, followed by three years of supervised release. The Mystery of the $200 Million Drug Bust | The War on Drugs VICE 16.6M subscribers Subscribe 22K Share 2.1M views 1 year ago This is the story of how the biggest cash bust in the history of. Its like converting all of our police officers into bounty hunters.. DEA spokeswoman Katherine Pfaff declined to comment to NBC News, citing the ongoing investigation. All right reserved. Leaders of the most aggressive squads defend their long-distance work as part of the local fight against drugs. Aside from their reliance on officers with checkered pasts, the efficacy of buy-busts is up for debate. Maldonado has family in Mexico, but he grew up in the tiny town of West Liberty, Iowa (population: 3,800), according to the warrant application. Islas-Avila was sentenced on Dec. 6, 2022, to three years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. I saw him coming up super fast behind me, so I flashed the guy with a stream light flashlight and badged him, he recalled. First-person perspectives from traffickers, dealers, users, law enforcement and medical professionals detail how the drugs are processed and moved onto the streets, and the effects they have on the. Suboxone clinic. That almost happened when Fullerton detectives followed a suspect to an expensive home in a secluded West Covina neighborhood, and did not have time to contact local police. Her sentencing is scheduled for April 18. The teams ended up joining forces and arresting several suspects, Hamilton said. A fentanyl courier moving enough to kill millions got busted, then slipped the DEA. 1910 River Rd Unit 3. The highly potent opioid is cheaper than other drugs and comes in the form of a white powder, which allows traffickers to mix it with cocaine and other drugs or stamp it into prescription pills like Xanax to stretch out their supply and increase profits. You are not alone in this process, and admitting yourself into rehab is the first step to recovery. The trooper let him drive 3 miles to the next exit to use the restroom. Support groups are highly encouraged in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania throughout the recovery and healing process of substance abuse. Jerry Moore, 61, of Custer Avenue was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, two counts of possession of controlled substances and two counts of possession with intent to deliver. Prior to the 2021 drug bust, a grand jury returned five federal indictments for defendants related to the operation, investigators said in their original announcement. In addition to telling the agent that the drugs were headed to South Bend, Maldonado said he had picked up the fentanyl in California and had performed a drug run at least once before, the affidavit says. Using information from RehabList.org to diagnose health issues or diseases is not advised. 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? Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. This is a fiasco for the DEA, one policing expert said. Learn more about how rehab works. Prosecutors then dismissed two additional drug distribution charges. WTAE report on Vandergrift man busted with 3 bricks of black powder heroin. Recent Arrest Information for Madera County California Prosecutors dropped one charge when she pleaded guilty to the other in April 2022. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed two additional drug distribution charges. 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.. They arrested five suspects and found duffel bags stuffed with $1.7 million in cash and cardboard boxes containing 370 pounds of cocaine. On Dec. 7, 2022, she was given credit for jail time already served and sentenced to three years of supervised release. Fill prescriptions at our pharmacy, shop medicine cabinet needs, get expert nutrition tips, enjoy healthy living inspiration and so much more. Prosecutors dismissed a third charge in exchange. Just last month, however, Gov. We will do our best to discover who they are and take them down as well.. If you speculate that you have a health problem or a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. David Maldonado managed to drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to cooperate with them. Yet that team insisted on searching a house that the Torrance squad had already determined was empty of cocaine, cash or incriminating evidence. Most of the roving units also keep an eye on local street dealers; only the Glendale and West Covina police departments have totally freed their specialized teams from that duty. 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. And it looks like there are no other bad guys in custody, as far as we know, so that is a large-scale failure.. Sept. 1 meeting format, location to be announced. When we have narcotics problems in town, they take priority, Price of Montebello said. We show up crawling through the bushes and theyre there scratching their heads not knowing whether were cops or crooks, he said. Nar-anon and Al-anon are support groups available near Vandergrift for family and close friends that have been affected by drug abuse. Additionally, the authors, editors, sponsors, contributors, and affiliates of RehabList.org hold no liability, obligation, or responsibility to any person or entity for any loss or damage claimed to have happened directly or indirectly as a result of material on this website. A side effect, however, was encouragement of a new mission for some police departments whose anti-drug efforts traditionally focused on street dealers within their municipal borders. What good is it to be born here if my loved ones cant be here? West Covinas eight-officer detail since 1986 has placed $2.6 million into the coffers of the city of 92,000, and its claims for another $3.4 million are being processed. The car helped Messina and a partner make dozens of drug busts as far away as Santa Barbara, resulting in substantial seizures of cash and property. His federal sentence is running concurrent to three state sentences. It was a curious turn of phrase given what had happened just after the record fentanyl seizure a stunning blunder that went unmentioned during the July 6 news conference. Mike Messina drove one of the hottest police cars anywhere. Dismantling fentanyl trafficking organizations is our priority because out of all illegal drugs, fentanyl is killing the most people. A World of Care is In-Store. An application for an arrest warrant, filed in Colorado district court by a state trooper, provides a detailed narrative of the events leading to Maldonados disappearance. But its our chief of polices stance that we aggressively go after major violators dealing in the hundreds of kilos because eventually that dope is coming back into our city. Sandy resident Edward David Lucero initially faced six drug distribution charges and a money laundering charge. He described it as the largest fentanyl bust on a U.S. highway in history. 200 Oak Avenue Kittanning, PA 16201. Today, with the help of a new computer system, the federal office has reduced to 150 days the time it takes to consider a claim, Cates said. Under the new rules, police need merely show in a civil procedure in federal court that the seized cash or property was derived from crime--with a standard of proof that can be met even in the absence of an arrest. On Thursday, Collier County deputies and SWAT members. The Brandon Police Service along with several other agencies, including the Winnipeg Police Service and the Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre, entered into a high-level interprovincial cocaine trafficking investigation called Project Banish in September 2021. But the trooper knew the story was a lie; he had run a check on Maldonados license plate prior to the stop and learned that it had been scanned by a license plate reader in Southern California roughly 24 hours earlier. Moore attempted to run but was quickly subdued, according to Rigatti. 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