November 11, 2021 / 11:37 AM / CBS Texas NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) A variety of methamphetamine drugs, valued at some $16,000,000, was seized during several multi-agency North Texas drug busts . Copyright 2021 KWTX. Members of the ring tried to trade drugs for firearms ones they could transport to Mexico contributing to terrible violence south of the border. During the initial roundup, the Drug Enforcement Agency were able to arrest over 15 people for . In that time, DPS seized a staggering 95 pounds, enough to administer 21.5 million lethal doses. If convicted, Oliphint faces up to 20 years in federal prison. This drug organization trafficked two of the deadliest substances we are seeing in our community fentanyl and methamphetamine, said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Texas criminalizes fentanyl amid drug surge from border crisis The Biden administrations undoing of former President Donald Trumps border policies has prompted a flood of Central American and Mexican illegal migrants at the US border, including thousands of unescorted children. At the time, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said it was the second-largest bust ever, behind only a 5,000-pound bust in December 2019 in Laredo, Texas. Federal, state and local officials held a news conference in Punxsutawney Tuesday to announce charges against several area residents allegedly connected . On March 27, 2020, Guthrie was convicted in Bell County for possession of a controlled substance less than one gram and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to court documents. Oliphint was arrested Thursday, April 15, 2021. The separate but related investigations were conducted by the FBI, Temple Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Division and Drug Enforcement Agency. 4 men arrested after DPS troopers announce fentanyl bust in NW Houston. The others face between five years and 40 years in federal prison if convicted because the quantity level charged is at least 50 grams. It is important to note that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. Chavez is charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance (penalty group 1) over 400 grams, a first-degree felony. 25 kilograms of meth seized in Cloverleaf area, Texas DPS says. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Kimberly Lee, age 26 of Gatesville; During a traffic stop involving a refrigerated tractor-trailer, law enforcement found 1,950 pounds of drugs (worth about $45 million), making it the biggest methamphetamine seizure in North Texas. Fentanyl-laced pills blamed as overdose deaths rise in central Texas The U.S. Attorney's Office said both amounts would be the largest seizures of either drug in the U.S. in both 2020 or 2021. . Billion-Dollar California Drug Bust July 2021: The Details - LaJolla.com The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. As of 15 December 2021 the Drug Seizures dashboard now includes seizures of all drug types. The giant haul had been divided into 633 packages that were stashed in a hidden compartment, each of which would have been repackaged for distribution in Texas, Chicago, St. Louis, and Atlanta. 15 arrested in massive drug bust in west Georgia - FOX 5 Atlanta Showing 1 - 10 of 10953 results. Carlos Avila, age 38 of Buckholts; (KWTX) - Federal agents swept through Central Texas on Thursday and Friday and arrested 15 area residents named in sealed drug trafficking and firearms indictments, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a press release Friday. Tip leads to largest drug bust in Liberty County; at least $500K - KPRC The seizure took place on October 8, but the DEA is only now sharing the details. Cocaine, Meth, & Firearm Drug Bust in Dallas. Last week, it was revealed that the the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Dallas division had made a major drug bust in October, resulting in more than $45 million worth of methamphetamine being seized. . ", Chavez added: "I see a lot of lives saved when we can stack up kilograms of drugs like this on a table. BRADY, TX - Nearly 30 people were arrested in Brady Friday morning during a drug trafficking sting operation led by the Drug Enforcement Agency. And while they were at it, they grabbed 65 vehicles, nearly 200 animals, and close to . Federal agents arrest more than a dozen local residents named in drug trafficking and firearms indictments, Assistant district attorney from Williamson County suspended after DWI wreck in Hewitt, New non-profit coming to Bell County in fight against homelessness, Change was like night and day: Mother testifies in retrial of ex-Waco day care owner charged in childs overdose death, Impacts of four-day week on school support staff. It is between 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Man charged in record-breaking drug seizure at U.S. border Several area residents charged in connection to alleged drug pipeline 2:00 AM on Feb 3, 2021 CST. The second indictment charges 35-year-old Cory Joe Barton of Gatesville with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Insisting that the border was not facing a crisis, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in early March that the problems the agency faced should be blamed on the previous administration. Central Texans among 21 arrested on federal drug trafficking - KXXV Biggest bust: More than $500K in meth off Central Texas streets, Assistant district attorney from Williamson County suspended after DWI wreck in Hewitt, New non-profit coming to Bell County in fight against homelessness, Change was like night and day: Mother testifies in retrial of ex-Waco day care owner charged in childs overdose death, Impacts of four-day week on school support staff. To access the data used to build this dashboard, please visit the CBP Data Portal. ", Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Today, law enforcement made additional arrests of the distribution network: Angelique Marie Easton, 51, Bremerton, WA, Douglas Bryan Healer, 47, Port Orchard, WA. Federal agents arrest more than a dozen local residents named in drug Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Wesley Warrick, age 50 of Cameron; document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Let's put the drug bust into perspective. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lewis is accused of possessing a .380 caliber pistol on December 21, 2021. Later that evening, officers encountered a daily express consignment truck hauling a shipment of vinyl samples arriving from Mexico. They were arrested and charged with drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute. Young, unsuspecting Texans are buying drugs that are laced with fentanyl. A total of 50 people were arrested following one of the largest drug busts in south Texas in recent years, according to Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of . If you or a loved one are struggling with drugs or alcohol, call us now! Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Jose Gutierrez, Crigger and Lewis were already in custody prior to yesterday. Anthony Gutierrez, Jose Gutierrez, Crigger, Gentile, Sutton and Warrick would each face 10 years to life in federal prison if convicted because the quantity level charged is at least 500 grams, authorities said. The seizure totaled out to $3.4 million of meth. Amid an 800 percent surge in seizures of fentanyl statewide due to porous borders, Texas will create a new criminal offense for the manufacture or delivery of the drug, the governor has announced. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. She has produced a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. According to records filed in the case, the investigation began in February 2020. Barton is accused of possessing at least 500 grams of methamphetamine on November 11, 2020. Updated: Jan. 6, 2021 at 1:53 PM PST. Aware of some of the groups trafficking, law enforcement seized 10 pounds of methamphetamine in a traffic stop on May 16, 2020. All the suspects were charged with drug crimes, with most in connection to a wide-scale trafficking ring in Leon and Gadsden counties. Lesleigh Arianne Bittner, age 33 of Belton; 3. Sixteen indicted in multi-state drug distribution ring - DEA The White House did not immediately respond to The Posts request for comment on the matter. A locked padlock 'Biggest bust': More than $500K in meth off Central Texas streets The amount of drugs seized was so large, a hazmat crew from the Houston Police Department were called in to assist.4, Investigators with Homeland Security Investigations conducted what they claimed to be the largest meth seizure in Houstons history. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said its Dallas division made the biggest methamphetamine seizure in North Texas history after finding the drugs in a hidden compartment of an 18-wheeler off Interstate 35 in Denton County. Teams from the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and Dallas, Fort Worth, Mansfield and River Oaks police departments were a part of the joint operation. Other drugs seized within that area include marijuana . Authorities seize record 1.7 million fentanyl pills in Arizona FBI-police operation targeted twin drug operations in gang-controlled If convicted, Oliphint faces up to 20 years in federal prison. AUSTIN (KXAN) More than 20 people from in and around Austin were arrested Thursday on federal drug trafficking charges, according to the Department of Justice. In 2019, DEA fentanyl seizures reached a record high since 2015, with DEA record seizures totaling 3,138 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl-related compounds.1 As a result of the opioid epidemic, the use of heroin and fentanyl has significantly increased. This is a highly addictive drug that can lead to mental illness, increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and more. Marshals returned to Brady on Tuesday morning in an attempt to stop the gigantic drug ring that is supplying narcotics across Texas according to sources with the federal court system. 'Don't Mistake Kindness For Weakness,' Dallas Police Chief Praises The DEA and our partners are focused on the most dangerous criminals in Washington. Im just proud of our officers and the work they put together with other agencies We want to make it as difficult as we can for them to get their dope.. 6 arrested in cocaine bust at Jacksonville home - News4JAX U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 200 pounds of illegal drugs and arrested 23 fugitives last week. 54 Individuals Indicted for Roles in Distributing Heroin, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine "Dangerous drugs have devastated too many communities throughout our state and claimed too many lives," said Attorney General James.. "As New Yorkers and Americans across the country witnessed the greatest number of drug overdose deaths in history in 2020, the defendants here were allegedly . 30 pounds of cocaine, $330,000 in cash seized, 27 charged in North Liberty County meth bust could be biggest in county history - KHOU During a search of the residence where Iris Amador-Garcia was living with her brother and co-conspirator, Mario Amador-Garcia, 31, and co-conspirator, Bayron Eberto . Twenty central Texas residents face federal drug trafficking and firearms charges stemming from five separate, but related, federal grand jury indictments unsealed today in Waco, announced U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff; FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division; Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw; Temple Police Chief Shawn Reynolds; Killeen Police Chief Charles Kimble; and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division. Earlier this month, the DEA arrested 11 alleged traffickers in Amarillo, Texas, on suspicion of conspiring to deal hundreds of grams of meth and cocaine. In total, more than 1,930 pounds of meth stuffed into 663 packages were pulled from the vehicle. It happened this week at . Authorities have seized nearly 200 pounds of drugs valued at more than $1.6 million following three separate searches at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas. If convicted, Beck, Penaloza-Calderon, Neely, Hale, Peterson, Loza and Thomas could face from 10 years to life in federal prison based on the amount of methamphetamine involved. Authorities believe the drugs may have come from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. OVer the past two days, federal, state and local authorities arrested 13 of the above defendants. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers carried out three unrelated seizures last week, two of which occurred in the same day. Investigators did not reveal the name or location of the business or say where the alleged meth lab was located. According to a release from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Drug Enforcement Admiration arrested 13 people as part of Operation Hartbreak Kid, which was named after the man agents believe to be the lead defendant in the case, 27-year-old Derrick Hart. Bexar County Deputies arrest 3 people in a drug bust on San - KTSA If convicted, Anthony Gutierrez, Jose Gutierrez, Crigger, Gentile, Sutton and Warrick face between 10 years and life in federal prison because the quantity level charged is at least 500 grams. The amount of heroin seized by DEA Field Divisions increased by 30% from 2018 to 2019, with the largest amounts of heroin seized in Texas, California, Arizona, and New York. "[This] city-wide, cooperative law enforcement efforts to disrupt the methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking in our city was a tremendous success," Chavez said at the time. The Waco Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Unit has been around for a few years here in McLennan County, and since their existence theyve been constantly working to remove drugs out of the area and remove gang members, and make the city and the county a little bit safer, so this just part of the operation they did, said Sgt. Lewis was arrested on Friday, April 16, 2021. Authorities believe the drugs may have come from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. All rights reserved. DEA Takes Down Major Drug Ring in the Heart of Texas - San Angelo LIVE! PDF Drug Trends in Texas 2021 FINAL 16July21 - Steve Hicks School of Social A seizure like this, he most likely got a phone call," Chavez said. Barton was already in custody when the indictment came down. The six indictments, returned by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on August 24, 2021,were unsealed today (August 31, 2021). Drug Bust. This federal grand jury indictment charges 21-year-old Kayli Marie Guthrie of Temple with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A man named Hector Manuel Castro-Quirino, 47, and his girlfriend Vanesa Ann Cervantes, 38, were residents of the two-bedroom home. NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) A variety of methamphetamine drugs, valued at some $16,000,000, was seized during several multi-agency North Texas drug busts over the last two months. Drugs Texas DEA Crime. Authorities have seized nearly 200 pounds of drugs valued at more than $1.6 million following three separate searches at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office has announced the largest marijuana grow and distribution operation ever busted in Escambia County. "They were like sausage links.". 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. Texas seized enough fentanyl to kill 200 million people this year alone Eduardo A. Chvez, a special agent in charge of the DEAs Dallas office, said that the meth was smuggled across the border by traffickers working with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which is led by Nemesio Oseguera-Cervantes, who is nicknamed El Mencho.3. This story has been shared 154,083 times. 20 Indicted on Meth Trafficking and Firearms Charges If convicted, Lewis faces up to 10 years in federal prison. These arrests are a significant step for community safety.. DEA Takes Down Major Drug Ring in the Heart of Texas. Traffic stop leads to major drug bust in Cibola County by: KRQE Staff. Approximately four kilograms of cocaine, roughly seven kilograms of methamphetamine and half a dozen firearms were seized during the investigation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Kayli Marie Guthrie of Temple, 21, is named in an indictment charging possession of a firearm by a convicted felon that alleges she was in possession of a .45 caliber Colt handgun on May 21, 2020 after she was convicted on March 27, 2020 in Bell County of possession of a controlled substance and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Tulare County Sheriff's Office via AP, File. DEA agents arrest 13, seize drugs & gun in North Little Rock - KARK Drug Trends in Texas 2021: A Report to the National Drug Early Warning System Jane Carlisle Maxwell, Ph.D., Research Professor Emeritus Highlights Texas has 254 counties and, as of 2020, a population of 28,995,881 with 42% White, 40% Hispanic, 12% Black, and 5% Asian. Federal officials make meth bust - San Diego Union-Tribune Homeland Security said the bust was part of a joint operation that included the DEA, ATF, Houston police and fire, Texas DPS and Harris County Pct. Packages containing 114 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge. On Feb. 16 around 2:15 p.m. a DPS trooper stopped a 2021 . Click to reveal Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Anthony Gutierrez, aka Cuzzo, age 34 of San Juan, Jose Francisco Gutierrez, age 33 of Killeen, Sarah Elizabeth Crigger, age 30 of Nolanville, Lesleigh Arianne Bittner, age 33 of Belton. The alleged leaders of the drug distribution ring, Jose Maldonado-Ramirez, 33, and his fianc, Iris Amador-Garcia, 30, of Bellflower, California, were arrested October 28, 2021. According to this CBS News report, law enforcement officials busted the perps with nearly 375,000 marijuana plants, plus over 30,000 pounds of weed that was already harvested. The Mexican cartel is largely responsible for drugs like cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine in Texas and the rest of the United States. Aug 31, 2021 Updated Dec 7, 2021. Stimulant abuse involving cocaine and meth has also remained high. Jose Gutierrez, Crigger and Lewis were already in custody prior to yesterday. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop the widespread harm these illicit substances cause our friends, families, and neighbors.. Drug Bust - ABC13 Houston Alyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. In the biggest drug bust in Liberty Countys history, the DEA seized $1 million worth of methamphetamine in a home at County Road 2191 off FM 787. Note: Internet Explorer has problems displaying the following charts. The DEA has been contacted for further comment. Annie Rose Lewis of Temple, 31, was also named in an indictment charging one count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm that alleges she possessed a .380 caliber pistol on Dec. 21, 2020 after she was convicted in 2011 in federal court of manufacturing counterfeit currency. Washington, D.C. Man Convicted After Nine-Day Trial for Use of a Firearm in Connection with a Murder and a Robbery, and for a Drug Distribution Conspiracy. In the fourth federal grand jury indictment, 21-year-old Kayli Marie Guthrie of Temple is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The DEA is offering a $10 million reward for the capture of the cartels leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho. We knew there was a possibility there would be quite a bit of dope there, but that is a huge quantity of methamphetamine, said McNamara. First published on November 11, 2021 / 11:37 AM. "We continue to seize these large amounts of drugs, and what we want our constituents to know and the good citizens of Tarrant County to know [is that] this is a clear and present danger to us until we continue this fight," said Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn. These indictments are an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. Jose . Albert Lee, also known as "Mook," 32, of Pawtucket, R.I., was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge. In total, nearly 30 pounds of cocaine, half a pound of meth, more than a pound of brown heroin, three ounces of black tar heroin, two ounces of Fentanyl, $330,000 in cash, nine firearms and three . US-Mexico border drug busts: Increasing number of Americans being |, 2020 Drug Enforcement Administration National Drug Threat Assessment, Cocaine, Firearms, $1.6 Million Cash Recovered In Drug Bust, DEAs Dallas office announces seizure of $45 million in meth, heroin its largest bust ever, $1 million meth bust in Liberty County could be biggest one ever in countys history, More than $3.4 million in methamphetamines, other narcotics seized in north Houston, What You Should Know About Drug Metabolism. March 27, 2021 3:10 PM in News. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The $1.6 million were found in cash stashed in tube socks, shoe boxes, and a large trash bag.2 This is one of the hundreds of cocaine and meth busts that demonstrate how serious drug trafficking is and the role it plays in drug use, addiction, and the increasing need for drug addiction treatment. Denison police make largest drug bust ever - kxii.com OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. If convicted, Barton faces btween 10 years and life in federal prison. During the investigation that led to the indictments, authorities seized about four kilograms of cocaine, seven kilograms of methamphetamine, and a half dozen firearms. An indictment should not be considered evidence of guilty. This story has been shared 144,036 times. Our officers for the McLennan County Sheriffs Office, Waco PD, DPS and other agencies are out there working around the clock overtime to protect them and get these kinds of drugs off the streets, out of the hands of the bad guys, and lock up the perpetrators, said McNamara. The 18-month investigation revealed the drug trafficking organization was also distributing drugs to locations in the Southeastern United States including Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee. If convicted, Lewis faces up to 10 years in federal prison. 24-year-old Jacob Winters is facing numerous drug charges to February 26 . According to new data provided by the Texas DPS on Thursday, Operation Lone Star has seized 160 pounds of fentanyl within its targeted area. This story has been shared 168,313 times. An additional four guns were recovered at other search locations. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) . The data, however, overwhelmingly shows that migrants were flooding the border because they believed Biden would welcome them with open arms. All complaints and concerns are fully investigated by corporate compliance and corrective actions are implemented based on substantiated allegations. See It: Aaron Carter's Mom Releases Graphic Photos of His Death Scene Updated: Jun 22, 2021 / 11:41 AM . SIOUX FALLS, S.D. The agencies within the TAG came together and worked together and were able to find these drugs and get them off the street so McLennan County did great here also working in conjunction with the TAG, and so were just thankful for the work that they did to remove these drugs from getting in childrens hands, or anybody elses hands., Sheriff McNamara said the estimated street value of the methamphetamine seized is in excess of $530,000. The investigation began in June when law enforcement was tipped off about drug dealers operating out of a home in South Acres Drive in Dallas, TX. Deputies confiscate $1.3 million worth of heroin and other narcotics in major drug bust. Unfortunately, methamphetamine is one of the largest threats in North Texas, so we would anticipate that a lot of it was destined for the market here.". Barton was previously arrested. On Tuesday, January 26, CBP officers assigned to the cargo facility encountered a tractor hauling a shipment of toilet paper arriving from Mexico. The Biggest Drug Busts in Texas | Banyan Treatment Centers Marshals Service provided valuable assistance with the arrests. Drug Bust in Eastland County - Fentanyl and Meth Confiscated The first indictment charges 16 Central Texans with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to KNEL, on Apr. The FBI, Temple Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Division and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted this investigation. The Texas-Mexico border has been a hub for drug trafficking for years. When drug overdose deaths are nine or fewer per year, the state does not . An official website of the United States government. 2023 Banyan Treatment Centers. Attorney General James Busts Two Major Drug Trafficking Rings in