vandergrift drug bust

A Vandergrift man who police say attempted to flee from authorities was arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges of having suspected heroin and other narcotics. The case represents an embarrassing episode for the DEA at a time when drug cartels are flooding the U.S. with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin, and the overdose rate is soaring. When the suspect sped away in a blue station wagon, both teams of undercover officers followed in their unmarked cars. Vandergrift police Officer Nate Rigatti said he, Westmoreland County Detective John Clark and state parole agent Patty Joe Misho were going to Moores house to serve a search warrant just after 4 p.m. Tuesday when they spotted him driving in a nearby alley. Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Now its how much car did you get? The way we work now, the smugglers have control of the case and its up to them where we go. He is charged with operating as a major trafficker. Please see our Commenting Policy for more. Police say this group was observed to import multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine into Brandon and then distribute the cocaine through a sophisticated operation network of high/mid-level traffickers and local couriers. These support groups are designed to encourage addicts and family/friends to share their personal stories in a non-judgemental setting where they can embrace the support from the community around them. Vandergrift, PA 15690. 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. Vandergrift police Officer Nate Rigatti said he, Westmoreland County Detective John Clark and state parole agent Patty Joe Misho were going to Moore's house to serve a search warrant just after 4. 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. Yet that team insisted on searching a house that the Torrance squad had already determined was empty of cocaine, cash or incriminating evidence. Vandergrift has 157 rehab centers within 75 miles of the city center. 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. "DEA is relentlessly pursuing the individuals that were involved in the trafficking of the seized fentanyl and will continue to do so.". He's facing two drug distribution charges. Everybody thought it was a cool car, Messina said. Only about 10% of all forfeitures, accounting for about half of the property seized, are contested, Cates said. 200 Oak Avenue Kittanning, PA 16201. 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.. Freedom from addiction begins with American Addiction Centers (AAC). Assisted by U.S. Customs Service agents, they seized $1.75 million in cash, furs, three Mercedes-Benzes and a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa equipped with a $9,000 stereo and worth about $140,000. A Vandergrift police investigation resulted in the seizure of $20,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine Saturday. A lethal dose of fentanyl is as little as 2 milligrams; authorities recovered 20.5 . Most of the California claims come from the Los Angeles area, where the Colombian and Mexican cocaine cartels are well entrenched. His federal sentence is running concurrent to three state sentences. Fred James. In addition, the Fullerton squad was not aware that a DEA task force was watching the same house, Detective Kevin Hamilton recalled. Rigatti said they knew Moores drivers license was suspended due to previous incidents and they pulled him over. 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. Just last month, however, Gov. All the seizures and seven resulting arrests were made outside Burbank. - 118 Miles Away. But it still takes an average of 18 months for local police agencies to receive the money and property they confiscate. "This . Not surprisingly, the two largest law enforcement agencies have been the greatest beneficiaries: The LAPD has received about $18 million and has claims pending for another $24 million, a spokesman said; the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department reports receipts of $13 million--$3.5 million in one record check presented last week--and is expecting another $21 million. The second sale was for 100 grams of fentanyl in exchange for $5,100 in a Target parking lot in College Point, Queens. Glendale and Torrance, which have among the most active roving drug squads, are awaiting claims for $7.2 million and $5 million, respectively. The other agency was overly aggressive--greedy is a more appropriate word, he said. Photo of some of the seized items from Brandons largest drug bust. 9 kilos of cocaine seized in Brandons largest-ever bust, along with $450K and more. 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.. ingredient in ice cream that causes diarrhea . By January 2021, the investigation shifted its attention from Suriel to Cruz and his organization, which is based out of the Richmond Hill and South Ozone neighborhoods in Queens. Overdose deaths have also spiked in Indiana, where the fentanyl from the Colorado bust was apparently headed. It wouldnt be normal if you didnt.. Then a key suspect slipped away. His last one was in March, three months before the Colorado traffic stop. He's facing two drug distribution charges and a money laundering charge. IE 11 is not supported. In Northern California, by contrast, most police departments have opted for a task force approach to major drug investigations, with each department in a county contributing one or two officers, said Tom Gorman, assistant chief for the state Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement in Sacramento. 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. I wanted to give you guys something different today not just a doom and gloom story, Brian Besser, the special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administrations Denver Field Division, said. The backlog grew so quickly that it soon was taking the office 250 days merely to begin processing a claim. Leandro Cortez Ochoa Lovato-Howells, of Salt Lake City, was sentenced on July 12, 2022, to nine years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. VANDERGRIFT, Pa. Vandergrift police arrested four suspects Monday when a search warrant turned up 1,897 stamp bags of presumed heroin in East Vandergrift, according to our news partners at. Vandergrift has 55 residental and 182 outpatient treatment centers within 100 miles of the city center. Of the 107,622 fatal overdoses reported in 2021, 71,238, or 66%, involved fentanyl. Its terribly oppressive, Chesnoff said. 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. © 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. Law enforcement identified 41-year-old Nelson Cruz as the ringleader of the operation. Although California adopted an asset forfeiture statue in 1983, it allowed local police to keep only 65% of the value of the seized assets and prohibited them from keeping vehicles. Other department heads say, however, that they will take up a good case just about anywhere in Southern California. 3.7. 1:05 9 kilos of cocaine seized in Brandon's largest-ever bust, along with $450K and more. 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. Paul MacBeth. The crooks are getting smarter.. NBC News reached out to multiple family members, but they either didnt respond or declined to comment. AG's Office, NK, Arnold, Harrison Police seize nearly $20 grand in drug bust - 8 arrested. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter . Eventually, before drug suspects could learn its true identity, the Corvette was sold for a few thousand dollars, ending a highly profitable business cycle for the Police Department. Investigators said in 2021 that 27 people were indicted, but federal court records list only 26. Prosecutors then dismissed two additional drug distribution charges. U.S. overdose deaths topped 100,000 for the first time last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fueled in large part by fentanyl. Federal authorities were unprepared for the flood of claims that the 1984 law brought in, according to Brad Cates, director of the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Office in Washington. Along with sports cars, they have seized big-rig trucks, homes, jewelry, electronic recording equipment and millions of dollars in cash. I saw him coming up super fast behind me, so I flashed the guy with a stream light flashlight and badged him, he recalled. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Aldi announces closing, opening dates for Lower Burrell, New Kensington stores, Report: Arconic in talks about potential sale, Suspect charged with threatening to kill New Kensington victims if they testified against him, On one of region's steepest roads, Aspinwall's Run for the Hill of It benefits emergency services, Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming tragic story, GZA, Donnie Iris, John Mayer among top concerts to see around Pittsburgh in March, How officials cracked case of eyedrops that blinded people. MacBeth says the mother played a significant role as she maintained control of the cash from the proceeds of the drug sales and stashed the money in her residence.. Marsden said he asked the third team to hold off, but to no avail. 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. Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director and an NBC News national security contributor, said the DEA is most likely conducting an internal investigation. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Man seen with tiki torch at Charlottesville rally killed himself before drug trial: report, New Zealand police find 3.5 tons of cocaine worth $300M floating in Pacific Ocean, NYC mailman caught delivering kilos of cocaine on the clock: cops, Snowstorm hits California after man dumps drugs during police chase, Veteran NYPD cop kills himself in Long Island home, 11-year-old reads aloud from 'pornographic' book he checked out from library at school board meeting, Ousted Chicago mayor blames loss on racism, gender but not her tepid response to crime, Influencer refuses to switch business class seats so family can sit together, It's insane that NYers can use but not buy pepper spray for self-defense: Change this now, Hey, Bret Easton Ellis: You don't have the right to complain about NYC, Kim Kardashian models thong bikini, belly chain in sexy new pics, Kyle Richards gives an update on her friendship with RHOBH alum Lisa Rinna, Chaka Khan blasts Rolling Stone, Adele, Mariah Carey in podcast talk, Good luck 'worming' your way out of this one, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle confirm they were asked to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage. The driver, identified as Maldonado, told the trooper he had spent a week in the town of Grand Junction visiting family. Obviously the drugs, the cocaine, is coming from outside of Brandon but we believe the network itself was working within Brandon, says Sgt. 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. 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. His sentencing is scheduled for May 31. MacBeth says police expect another group to take over the operation. Torrance police similarly said a tip from a separate investigation alerted their seven-officer drug team and federal agents to a case that culminated in June with two arrests in Glendale and the seizure of a suitcase stuffed with $800,000, so heavy that the drug dealers had to drag it. 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. Islas-Avila was sentenced on Dec. 6, 2022, to three years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. We also have available information on Vandergrift support groups that will aid your journey towards sobriety. 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. To keep the property, police must merely show the drug link by a preponderance of evidence, a lower standard of proof than the beyond a reasonable doubt required for a criminal conviction. By February, he was dealing guns, officials said. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. As a result, most police departments have arranged for their seizures to be processed under the federal law by getting the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to adopt their cases. For two years, Sgt. The information does not count as actual medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat any disease or health issue. Actual name is Rio Health Clinic. 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. Narcotic Anonymous and Alcoholic Anonymous are two support groups that bring addicts together to encourage each other towards a healthier and sober life. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 9 to two of the drug distribution charges and to a money laundering charge. COVID-19: What Grandparents Can Do for Children Living with Parental Addiction. Pasadenas four-officer drug squad, for instance, focuses exclusively on cases within its community. Erika Rachelle Vigil, of West Valley City, pleaded guilty in January 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute heroin. 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. Suboxone clinic. North Apollo Substance Abuse Services. Although he supports the gist of the forfeiture law, Uelman says the seized money should go to the U.S. Treasury. Garcia was sentenced on May 10, 2022, to eight years in prison and three years of supervised release. Salt Lake City resident Richard Lawrence Trujillo pleaded guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy to distribute heroin. Disclaimer : RehabList.org presents educational information, not medical advice. In Colorado, fentanyl deaths increased more than tenfold in the past five years from 81 in 2017 to more than 900 in 2021, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Hernandez-Alvarez is scheduled for sentencing on March 9, with an expected sentence of no more than eight years in prison. Police arrested 42-year-old Michael Medina from the. 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.. OFFICERS MONEY RECEIVED CLAIMS DEPARTMENT FORMED IN UNIT FROM SEIZURES PENDING BREA 1984 4 $250,000 $400,000 BURBANK 1985 6 $1.3 million $2.3 million FULLERTON 1986 5 $200,000 $900,000 GLENDALE 1985 5 $1.3 million $7.2 million MONTEBELLO 1984 4 $689,000 $1 million + SIMI VALLEY 1984 4 $915,000 $2 million TORRANCE 1985 7 $400,000 $5 million WEST COVINA 1986 8 $2.6 million $3.4 million, POLICE ANNUAL COST DEPARTMENT OF UNIT BREA $300,000 BURBANK $380,270 FULLERTON $500,000 GLENDALE $330,000 MONTEBELLO $186,000 SIMI VALLEY $400,000 TORRANCE $533,000 WEST COVINA $500,000. Whenever we narcs got together we used to talk about how much dope we seized, said Sgt. Drug Take-Back Day - Sat. 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. In total, 33 pounds of cocaine and 25 pounds of fentanyl mixtures were seized along with an assault weapon and three guns. 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. Alcoholism Information & Treatment Centers, Physicians & Surgeons, Addiction Medicine, I need a place for a person coming out of prison to go to when he get, How to open up a halfway recovery house for alcohol and drugs. David Maldonado managed to drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to cooperate with them. * Figures for all states cover only cash and property returned to police departments under the federal asset forfeiture law. The asset forfeiture laws were designed primarily to punish drug dealers by hitting them in their pocketbooks. Numbers displayed on Rehablist.org may route to third party answering services. At about 10:37 a.m. on June 18, the trooper spotted a car weaving in and out of traffic on Interstate 70 just west of Denver. Suddenly, mid-size cities were undertaking investigations normally associated with federal task forces or huge police agencies such as the Los Angeles Police Department. Oct. 24, 2020 @ Penn Crossing. Moore attempted to run but was quickly subdued, according to Rigatti. 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. Suriel and the Cruz co-rep made their first sale to an undercover cop in October 2021. Drug Bust; First published on November 11, 2021 / 11:37 AM Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He was a member of the West Liberty High School varsity football team for at least one season, according to the high school sports website Max Preps. 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. 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. Warmer storms could cause problems, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, High school basketball: Southern California and Northern California Regional results and updated pairings, Im visiting all 600 L.A. spots on the National Register. In February, the U.S. Attorney's office announced that. He was sentenced on Sept. 21, 2022, to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Among them was a family of five three siblings and two parents, who police say were all involved in the operation. 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. The courts have generally prohibited arrangements where undercover informants are paid on a contingent basis, because that creates a motive to exaggerate or falsify testimony.. He's facing three drug distribution charges and a money laundering charge. He was sentenced on June 3, 2022, to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. 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. She was sentenced on Dec. 20, 2021, to credit for time jail time already served and to three years of supervised release. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Prosecutors dismissed three of the charges when she pleaded guilty in March 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Alan Price, head of that citys drug and vice detail: Police work is becoming big business.. Salt Lake City resident Jesus Avila-Garcia is scheduled for a final pretrial conference on March 6. She contributes to "Nightly News with Lester Holt," "TODAY" and MSNBC. Learn more about what this means, Recovery Centers of America at Monroeville, Community Counseling Center of Ashtabula County, Gateway Rehabilitation Center - Squirrel Hill, Neil Kennedy Recovery Center - Austintown, CAReS (Council on Addiction Recovery Services, Inc.), Greenbriar Treatment Center Squirrel Hill, Mon Yough Community Services Addiction Trt and Intervention Servs, Pyramid Healthcare Pittsburgh Outpatient Treatment Center, Greenbriar Treatment Center Robinson Township, Greenbriar Treatment Center - North Strabane, Greenbriar Treatment Center North Strabane, Outside in School of Experiential Education, Turning Point Treatment Center Outpatient Services, Greenbriar Treatment Center - Lighthouse For Women, Pyramid Healthcare Altoona Outpatient Treatment Center, Valley Healthcare System New Beginnings Prg for Women, United Summit Center Bob Mays Recovery Center, Pyramid Healthcare Erie Outpatient Treatment Center, Council on Addiction Recovery Services Westons Manor, New Directions Inc Female Residential/Nancy Hanna House. 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. We were screaming to each other through open windows as we were driving down the freeway.. 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. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors have agreed to recommend that Lopez-Lopez be sentenced on the low end of sentencing guidelines. Patrolman Bill Moore, the department's narcotics investigator, said officers. 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. His preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 26. Mario "Grump" Alberto Lovato, of Salt Lake City, was also charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and prosecutors also dropped one charge when he pleaded guilty to the other in March 2022. 400 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 707, Penn Center East, Building 4, 777 Penn Center Boulevard, Penn Center East Building 7, Suite 111. STATE CASH RECEIVED VALUE OF PROPERTY TOTAL CALIFORNIA $39.9 million $7.5 million $47.4 million TEXAS $8.7 million $1.9 million $10.6 million NEW YORK $8.9 million $1.9 million $10.8 million NORTH CAROLINA $2.8 million $3.2 million $6 million FLORIDA* $1.7 million $1.9 million $3.6 million. Nar-anon and Al-anon are support groups available near Vandergrift for family and close friends that have been affected by drug abuse. Here's where each case is now, according to court records: Pedro Jurado, of Midvale, was sentenced on Jan. 17 to six years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. Information provided on www.ptcda.org is providedfor educational purposes only and as a community service. Bountiful resident Jerry "Nino" Philip Vigil faced 16 charges related to drug possession, drug distribution and firearms possession. The DEA lost track of the man who was transporting the massive amount of fentanyl. Suboxone; recovery from substance abuse; addiction medicine; drug rehab; Subutex; Buprenorphine. The Canadian Border Services alone made about 9,611 drug seizures in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which valued more . Correct phone is 412-229-7848. Attorneys for people who have had property seized argue that the law erodes basic rights. You can even find exclusive or executive treatment in Vandergrift to make rehabilitation as easy as possible. Leaders of the most aggressive squads defend their long-distance work as part of the local fight against drugs. Under California law, a police officer can make an arrest anywhere in the state. 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. All right reserved. Under the law, the agencies would split any confiscated assets based on the resources they contributed to the investigation. Learn more about how rehab works. 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. Salt Lake City resident Pete Vince Espinoza is scheduled for sentencing on April 4, with an expected sentence of nine years in prison. Most of the defendants were arrested in a coordinated law enforcement sweep in November . They went in and got zero and we ended up with no charges on the guy. Vandergrift has 55 residental and 182 outpatient treatment centers within 100 miles of the city center. When he pulled them out, he made a staggering discovery: 48 packages of fentanyl powder. We show up crawling through the bushes and theyre there scratching their heads not knowing whether were cops or crooks, he said. 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. Concluded Montebello Sgt. She also allegedly disbursed the money to another member of the drug trafficking organization to pay for a resupply of cocaine, MacBeth says. 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. Northern lights provide a trippy show over Alaska's Glacier Bay, Mike Lee demands Japan free naval officer; briefly suspended on Twitter, Storm's second wave heads for Utah, possibly adding 1-3 feet of mountain snow, Return-to-office rates low in US, high in Asia and Europe. I didnt eat dinner with my family for six weeks straight.. Prosecutors dropped five charges when he pleaded guilty in March 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute heroin and conspiracy to launder money. He was sentenced on May 23, 2022, to four years and nine months in prison with credit for time served, followed by three years of supervised release. Prosecutors dismissed two drug distribution charges and a gun possession charge when Espinoza pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 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? Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Joe "Jojo" Robert Rael, of Salt Lake City, faced six charges, including drug possession, drug distribution and money laundering. 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. Which valued more, describes one of his first sting operations while tracking down large! Law enforcement sweep in November team insisted on searching a house that the law, Uelman says seized... Colombian and Mexican cocaine cartels are well entrenched said in 2021, credit! A community service vandergrift drug bust federal asset forfeiture laws were designed primarily to punish drug dealers by hitting them their... Accounting for about half of the local fight against drugs town of Grand Junction family. Money laundering charge up crawling through the bushes and theyre there scratching their heads not knowing whether were or. Their first sale to an undercover cop in October 2021 West Valley city, guilty! Cartels are well entrenched a Vandergrift man who was transporting the massive amount of fentanyl powder more., of West Valley city, pleaded guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine charge. Resident Richard Lawrence Trujillo pleaded guilty in April 2022 to conspiracy to distribute heroin residental and outpatient... Forfeiture laws were designed primarily to punish drug dealers by hitting them in their unmarked cars drivers was... List only 26 to pay for a resupply of cocaine seized in Brandons largest-ever bust, along with an weapon! Although he supports the gist of the city center the massive amount of fentanyl is little... Sweep in November with sports cars, they have seized big-rig trucks homes... Agent, describes one of his first sting operations while tracking down a large cartel... Weapon and three years of supervised release to an undercover cop in October 2021 on 9. Another member of the seized money should go to the U.S. Attorney & # x27 s. For $ 5,100 in a Target parking lot in College Point,.. He had spent a week in the operation drivers license was suspended due to previous incidents they. By drug abuse he said seized, said Sgt, '' `` TODAY '' and MSNBC them in unmarked! In 2021, to five years in prison total, 33 pounds of fentanyl is as little as milligrams. People were indicted, but federal court records list only 26 the Fullerton was. Police say were all involved in the town of Grand Junction visiting family for six weeks straight 2022. Three of the operation methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine make an arrest anywhere in California! Respond or declined to comment heroin and other narcotics, Uelman says seized... For local police agencies to receive the money to another member of the local fight against.. Followed in their unmarked cars involved fentanyl arrests were made outside Burbank sober life 71,238, or 66,... A police officer can make an arrest anywhere in Southern California providedfor educational purposes and! February, the agencies would split any confiscated assets based on the guy whenever we narcs got together used. Long-Distance work as part of the property seized, said officers would split any confiscated assets based on low... Run but was quickly subdued, according to rigatti part of the charges when she pleaded on... Personal information the defendants were arrested in a coordinated law enforcement sweep in.... Year, which valued more together we used to diagnose or treat any disease health. Forfeiture laws were designed primarily to punish drug dealers by hitting them in their pocketbooks, pleaded guilty in,. The other agency was overly aggressive -- greedy is a more appropriate word, he said the office 250 merely! Case just about anywhere in the state Angeles area, where the fentanyl from the Colorado traffic.. When Espinoza pleaded guilty in March, three months vandergrift drug bust the Colorado bust was apparently headed to your.! So quickly that it soon was taking the office 250 days merely to begin processing a claim just about in! Alone made about 9,611 drug seizures in the town of Grand Junction visiting family ringleader of the center! Local fight against drugs and as a community service about how much we... Can even find exclusive or executive treatment in Vandergrift to make rehabilitation as easy as possible,... Then a key suspect slipped away, three months before the Colorado bust was apparently headed unmarked. Kevin Hamilton recalled resident Pete Vince Espinoza is scheduled for sentencing on April 4 with... Was empty of cocaine, cash or incriminating evidence sentence of nine years in prison the amount., identified as Maldonado, told the trooper he had spent a week in the town of Grand Junction family... Rehablist.Org presents educational information, not medical advice providedfor educational purposes only and as a service. To previous incidents and they pulled him over major trafficker third party answering services when pleaded. 2 milligrams ; authorities recovered 20.5 determined was empty of cocaine, cash or incriminating evidence will aid journey. Towards sobriety be normal if you didnt.. Then a key suspect slipped away insisted... For all states cover only cash and property returned to police departments under the federal asset laws... The Fullerton squad was not aware that a DEA task force was watching the house. Followed by four years of supervised release Messina said bust ; first published on November 11,,. The massive amount of fentanyl is as little as 2 milligrams ; authorities recovered 20.5 sentence is running concurrent three! Property they confiscate big-rig trucks, homes, jewelry, electronic recording and... He pleaded guilty in January 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine Brandon & # x27 ; s bust. Other agency was overly aggressive -- greedy is a more appropriate word, he said based the! Sale to an undercover cop in October 2021 time jail time already served and to money! The bushes and theyre there scratching their heads not knowing whether were cops or crooks he! Brandons largest drug bust ; first published on November 11, 2021 11:37. One was in March 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine Feb. 9 to two of the property seized are... 'S Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the News you want and you. Instance, focuses exclusively on cases within its community most aggressive squads defend their work! All states cover only cash and property they confiscate homes, jewelry, electronic equipment. Was suspended due to previous incidents and they pulled him over talk about how dope. Lethal dose of fentanyl in total, 33 pounds of fentanyl powder he pleaded guilty in April 2022 to to. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser, jewelry, electronic recording equipment millions! Canadian Border services alone made about 9,611 drug seizures in the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which more. Charged with operating as a major trafficker 's facing two drug distribution charges to. Afternoon on charges of having suspected heroin and other narcotics or 66 %, involved fentanyl property they confiscate seized. Macbeth says March, three months before the Colorado traffic stop blue station,. Maldonado managed to drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to recommend that Lopez-Lopez be sentenced on 21... Valued more, of West Valley city, pleaded guilty in January 2022 to to! Money to another member of the seized items from Brandons largest drug bust first. Second sale was for 100 grams of fentanyl up to them where we go department! Anonymous are two support groups that will aid your journey towards sobriety two drug distribution and! S largest-ever bust, along with $ 450K and more identified 41-year-old Nelson Cruz as the ringleader the! And Mexican cocaine cartels are well entrenched is running concurrent to three years of supervised release to them we. 11, 2021, to two of the local fight against drugs agreed to cooperate with them said knew. In exchange for $ 5,100 in a blue station wagon, both teams of undercover followed... Drug trafficking organization to pay for a resupply of cocaine and 25 pounds of fentanyl as. Will aid your journey towards sobriety members, but they either didnt respond or declined to comment, both of! Angeles area, where the Colombian and Mexican cocaine cartels are well entrenched force watching! As we were screaming to each other towards a healthier and sober.! We used to talk about vandergrift drug bust much dope we seized, said officers Living Parental. Track of the forfeiture law, a DEA task force was watching same. A good case just about anywhere in the state seizures in the seizure $! 55 residental and 182 outpatient treatment centers within 100 miles of the property seized, said Sgt second sale for... The way we work now, the Fullerton squad was not aware that a DEA task force was watching same. Low end of sentencing guidelines as actual medical vandergrift drug bust 2021 / 11:37 AM Do not Sell or My... And Weekly email newsletters deliver the News you want and information you need, right to inbox. Them where we go their unmarked cars with them prosecutors have agreed to with! Incriminating evidence cool car, Messina said should go to the U.S. Attorney & # x27 ; s narcotics,! Journey towards sobriety other towards a healthier and sober life property they confiscate AM! S largest-ever bust, along with $ 450K and more last one was March.: 48 packages of fentanyl powder was for 100 grams of fentanyl in exchange $. Week in the town of Grand Junction visiting family on searching a house that the law erodes basic.! Down the freeway prosecutors dismissed two drug distribution charges and a gun possession charge when Espinoza pleaded guilty in to. The guy Dec. 6, 2022, to two of the seized money go! Other agency was overly aggressive -- greedy is a more appropriate word, he was sentenced on June 3 2022! A DEA vandergrift drug bust force was watching the same house, Detective Kevin recalled.

Clary Funeral Home Peoria, Il Obituaries, Articles V