Lock The biggest drug busts in U.S. history seized billions of dollars worth of narcotics. LAFAYETTE, La. Pointe Coupee coroner Donald Doucet said the increasing numbers are impacting the health care system. Operation Crystal Shield involved 893 pounds of cocaine, 13 pounds of heroin, and around 2,224 pounds of methamphetamine, making it the biggest meth bust in U.S. history. In April, the officers agreed to protect a drug shipment, then stunned an agent posing as a big-time cocaine dealer by showing up in uniform, Gallagher said. Liberty County officials were asked to assist in a search warrant led by the DEA out of Houston to seize what they estimated to be $500,000 worth. The investigation remains ongoing. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. (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). Some of the narcotics found stashed on the lorries were hidden in children's juice boxes, police say. English: Le Pont-de-Claix. A search warrant was also executed in the 1600 block of Charbonnet Street. Authorities confirmed Edwards was distributing narcotics throughout the Pointe Coupee area, and on Thursday, Aug. 4, they executed multiple search warrants. We're not going to tolerate it, " Morial said. The other police officers were arrested Wednesday. ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. Meth continues to be a problem in the state at large. Chief Serpas says all of the people involved in this operation have a lengthy rap sheet. The NOPD released surveillance pictures Friday. Feds bust 127 in biggest mob sweep in US history (video) By. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. Appointed in October, he acknowledged that he inherited a department riddled with corruption and vowed to weed out bad officers through aggressive internal investigations. Next: A bust that saved the equivalent of 26 million lives. 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. They were cryptic and they did not take on significance until compared with other events. Massive drug ring operated out of lavish lakeside home in Baton Rouge for years. One of the biggest drug busts Florida has ever seen was straight out of a movie. . The telephone also was used to monitor the telephone calls in which Davis allegedly ordered Groves' murder. 1097 0 obj <>stream h2405U0P0405S0 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. 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. La. 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. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking marijuana. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. City leaders say that gang is responsible for 15 murders since 2008. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. January 21, 2011 5:00am. NEW ROADS, La. 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. They chose to be drug dealers, they chose to be gun-toters, they chose to put children at risk. At various times, the police officers conducted counter-surveillance of the undercover agents. Last month, the DA's office announced a 51-count indictment against 15 members of the 110er's. 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. Well, a 2011 raid in San Diego originated the idea. Handy was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation S.W.A.T. Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborate to make largest drug bust in Pointe Coupee history. After the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, OxyContin became an even bigger problem in New Orleans. They say the drug dealers had no regard for children in the area or people who lived nearby. He and his Medellin cartel cohorts made an estimated $420 million each weeksupplying 80% of the cocaine in the United States in the 1980s. h{oFJ'Sn. In the world of drug enforcement, it pays to be patient. The Government and WILLIAMS have agreed that WILLIAMS was responsible for possessing with intent to distribute between 50 kilograms and 150 kilograms of cocaine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy. During the investigation, Strasser said authorities recovered 85 pounds of meth, more than 20 pounds of cocaine and 18 AK-47s. "The undercover agent was very clever, however, and stripped before the police officers to show that he was not wired at the time, " Jordan said. 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 $3 million through Baldwin County. A*HABAA$,Ms`i@LH){s$6V$H A:*qh@AA#XE$ On Monday, Lafayette police seized 23 pounds$2 million worthof meth in what's being called the largest drug bust in Lafayette Police . You have permission to edit this article. "asked Serpas at a news conference Friday. There's no question that perhaps as many as 15 to 20 more officers could have been apprehended, " Jordan said. Two men described as violent drug traffickers - Paul "Cool" Hardy and Damon Causey - have been charged in the Oct. 13 murder. 24 of the biggest Tulsa-area drug busts since 2014. biggest drug bust in new orleans - bullies2buddies.com Largest Heroin Drug Bust In Baton Rouge Credited To K-9 (WAFB . She had been accused of stealing $5,000 from a man she'd been staying with. The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force says Xavier . 1957(a) by purchasing and then developing these seven real estate properties with profits generated from his cocaine sales. 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. 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. A%@F~HeA~@bzj\)L!D94`; (d>AM3f 1 DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerly said the investigation started over a year ago. 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. For all of the caution exercised by Davis and the other suspects, the officers sometimes acted with a bravado that shocked federal authorities. Published Feb 25, 2021 3:23 PM by The Maritime Executive. Led by Davis, the officers proceeded cautiously at first, suspecting a possible set-up by authorities, Jordan said. Next: Lets head down the coast for No. "The police officers did the same, and this was captured on videotape.". A Louisiana man was sentenced Friday to 19 years in federal prison and five years supervised release for his leadership role in a large-scale cocaine and marijuana drug trafficking organization. "6"f6C0%`{0fb9YY>y X,Czy9|:85Ci:=yvSnt1(juUZVD m@?~UAm1qXfG?A tX"|u `. Police arrested 22 peopleand confiscated more than $700,000 in cash along with the drugs. More than 107,000 Americans have died as a result of fentanyl overdose or poisoning, according to the CDC. "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. 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. 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. These fake pills are designed to look like real prescription pills right down to the size, shape, color and stamping. Meanwhile, he said, agents kept a close eye on Davis and were prepared to arrest him at "any time of the day or night. This investigation into the drug trafficking organization is ongoing. Largest Settlements: Place Population; Le Pont-de-Claix: 11,963 (2016) Other Languages: View 78 more. Agents conducted surveillance on two of these properties WILLIAMSs stash house (Stash House) and home, both in Gretna. Local and federal agencies said they worked together to make 18 arrests and secure nine indictments for individuals in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. Just last week, the District Attorney's office issued indictments against 20 people in the "3NG" gang on charges including racketeering and murder. That led to a decision to shut down the operation, even as agents were gathering evidence on additional officers. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that yesterday, TATUM DARDAR, 26, from Terrebonne Parish, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent Cruz Lopez-Acevedo was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Following the advisement of his Miranda Rights, which he waived, WILLIAMS provided verbal and written consent to search his Stash House and home. }N|Q ~#'~B# ~CY0t:_=SuLGk*|"-3]$SfwrAgm* L 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. And in this drug bust, all five of the top drugs were involved.. Nearly a quarter 22% . 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. At times, he said, the lives of undercover agents posing as drug traffickers were in danger. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Acting on a tip, authorities searched a house and discovered nearly 18,000 pounds of wrapped cocaine estimated to be worth $1 billion. After the killing was officially logged as a murder by police, Davis and Williams were overheard celebrating the murder with Hardy, they said. Police started investigating back in September of 2012 after receiving a federal grant. The seizure also helped police shut down business specializing in selling marijuana horticulture supplies. lX$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 Gallagher said the yearlong investigation involved more than 60 federal agents from across the country and was conducted with utmost secrecy. The Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain geographically divide this area. They don't want to go get training and do something positive in this community. 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. LSP and Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriffs Office held a joint news conference about a major drug bust in Pointe Coupee Parish following a 7-month investigation. Maybe there wasn't enough evidence. 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. 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 lock ( 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. Len Davis, eight other New Orleans police officers, charged in drug sting. 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. PART OF AUDACY NEWS. Well, the Drug Enforcement Agency aided the Edmonton police force as it made itslargest cash seizure to that point. 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. 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. NOPD arrests 15 in undercover drug bust. 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 . A subsequent cavity search by an officer turned up $6,233, and a clear bag of containing one gram of meth secreted within Rolland's vagina. An official website of the United States government. In 1989, authorities seized more than 21 tons of cocaine worth roughly $6.9 billion on the street sitting in a nondescript warehouse. The conversations simply did not alert us to what would occur. New Orleans is a New York with nearly 5,000 murders a yearan unlivable place. 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. German, Belgian, and Dutch authorities working in concert completed what they are calling Europe's largest cocaine seizure and one of . The investigation and bust were carried out on a decree from the Naples public prosecutor, the statement added. French: Le Pont-de-Claix, Grenoble, Isre, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France. 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. 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. 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. woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond. 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. Next: The biggest bust this city has ever seen. THE GANG'S ALL HERE: Suspects busted in yesterday's sweep are booked by FBI agents at the Army . U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana, Gretna Resident Pleads Guilty to Possessing 66 Kilograms of Cocaine and $3.9 Million In Drug Proceeds Seized at His Stash House and Home, williams_dorian_factual_basis_redacted.pdf, Santa Rosa Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession of Child Pornography and Manufacturing Methamphetamine on Tohono Oodham Nation, Terrebonne Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Controlled Substances Act, Mexican drug trafficker sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, Gretna Resident Pleads Guilty To Possessing 66 Kilograms of Cocaine and $3.9 Million In Drug Proceeds Seized At His Stash House and Home. You can call this one the mole-man drug bust, in a sense. "One in law enforcement may consider that a gift from heaven. On November 19, 2020, agents conducted an investigatory stop on WILLIAMSs vehicle. They estimated the drugs to be worth at least $870,000 on the street. 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. From Wall Street to the underworld, if theres one thing weve learned its that crime pays and pays big. Authorities seized 46 pounds of pot and $300,000 in cash in 2014 during a big bust in the smallest state in America. The DEA, however, has been getting more successful year on year at stopping and seizing drug shipments. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? One of the largest under cover drug busts in New Orleans history - YouTube 0:00 / 1:10 One of the largest under cover drug busts in New Orleans history 10,320 views Aug 14, 2018 Kinsey. Published Nov. 1, 2022 12:46 p.m. PDT. So far this year, there have been six. 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. Many of them are believed to be part of a gang known as the 89er's or T-Blocc. endstream endobj 1098 0 obj <>stream Police seized drugs from each of their rooms. It will end because we are never going to stop going after these people.". Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters, A Louisiana woman has been arrested after a tip led police to her apartment on suspicion of drug possession - and they subsequently found what they believed to be meth in a box in her home labeled "dope. team without incident Tuesday, April 6 in the 1800 block of Andry Street. I want to thank our partners at the FBI for working so hard to remove this dangerous drug dealer from the streets., Civilians flee embattled town as Ukrainian pullout looms, Ukraine plant builds 6-person bunkers for war's front lines, Texas congressman's breaks with GOP could lead to censure, UN nuclear head meets with Iranians amid enrichment concerns, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18, over dozen missing, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, Election conspiracies fuel dispute over voter fraud system, South Sudan's president dismisses political rival's wife, China: Defense boost to meet 'complex security challenges', Doctor in embattled Somaliland city says at least 145 dead. Michael Perlstein and Walt Philbin wrote this report. 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 on July, 5, 2022, in Inglewood, California. Next: Proof that you cant hide anything from the authorities. Authorities made one of the largest drug busts in Los Angeles County history recently, seizing meth and cocaine with a street value of nearly $60 million, officials say. Its going to take all of us for us to rip these drugs out of our communities, Davis 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Remember when we discussed a secret drug tunnel in Arizona that authorities discovered in 2018? New Orleans, La. Next: The U.S. helps with an international drug bust. Two people are still wanted. As a result of this, we had to increase significantly the security of the FBI undercover agents.". Ff Agents spent the following weeks investigating the murder, U.S. Attorney Eddie Jordan Jr. said. "Where are the consequences for these men who use drugs and weapons as their business? "This is a sizeable arrest for us," Caraway said. Local. These fake pills typically replicate real prescription opioid medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and alprazolam (Xanax); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall).. Neel left the building without police officers speaking with her, according to the arrest report. 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. In 1991, police officers seized 59 boxes containing 1080 pounds of Heroin, with a street value ranging from $2.7 billion to $4 billion. This massive seizure disrupted the flow of dangerous amounts of fentanyl into our streets and probably saved many lives, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner. The NOPD says 15 people were arrested. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product -- with or without the users knowledge -- to increase its euphoric effects.. A warehouse raid in Hayward in the east bay seized 1,200 pounds of heroin worth roughly $3 billion. June 1, 2021, 11:02 PM. - Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Arnold Devonne Butler, 54, today in Casper. One early meeting almost led to a showdown, he said. 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. Of those, three Terrebonne and Lafourche men were indicted for distribution of more than 500 grams of meth, three Texas men were indicted for intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and two Houma men were indicted for intent to distribute 500 grams or more of meth. are spent on heroin than any other drug. However, when authorities showed up at the home in . The NOPD says 15 people were . New York man busted 3 times in 1 day on different drug charges, state police say. "The pertinent conversations were spread out over a 10-hour period and were intermingled with many other discussions concerning their protection activity at the warehouse. "It tells us that corruption in the Police Department is pervasive, rampant and systemic.". 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 . When will this end? All rights reserved. "We put everyone on notice today. One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. According to court documents, Drug Enforcement Administration agents from the New Orleans Field Division identified WILLIAMS in early 2020 as a supplier of kilogram quantities of cocaine to other drug dealers in the New Orleans metropolitan area. 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. 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.