In addition to the conspiracy-related charges, various defendants have been charged with 16 drug-trafficking counts. (As an extra incentive, a cartel employee working in the United States realizes breaking the rules might cost the lives of any family members back in Mexico. Of Meth Seized. The opioid class of drugs include heroin, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, oxycodone and many other prescription and non-prescription pain relievers. Dan Cummings is proud of the work the Jackson County Drug Task Force has done during his tenure as the Officer-In-Charge, but as a former undercover officer he prefers staying out of camera range. MSHP said K-9 Pelle will be getting an extra treat for his work on the drug bust. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Agents also seized $73,960.00 in drug proceeds as a part of the investigation. Hawley grills Garland for DOJ attacks on people of faith, Mar-a-Lago raid, Area AGs urging court to protect religious liberty rights, free speech of Kentucky wedding photographer. The DOJ reported that the following defendants were each charged in an 86-count indictment unsealed on March 1 and were residents of Kansas City, besides Deone D. Gardner, 28, also known as "Twin," who was from Belton, Missouri: Kevin C. Cokes also known as "Big K" and "Uncle," 60; Mercedez M. Gardner, also known as "Twin," 36; November D. Gardner, also known as "October" and "Nuttie," 23; Idella Gardner, also known as "Lupi," 34; Delmar L. Hatcher, 51; Nathaniel B. Chapple, 24; Treandre R. Walker, 24; Hazel M. Berymon, 64; Carlton L. Burns, also known as "Pooder," 24; Christopher J. Hicks-Berry, 35; Kyeir C. Theus, 35; Tony L. Davis, 52; Michael R. Parks, 62; Brian T. Boxly, 45; Parris J. Walker, 27, Jachobette J. Gardner, 42; Reginald L. Mitchem, 42; Eliot E. Cox, 32; Martell C. Cratch, 30; Anthony D. Stuckey, 66; Matthew Rogers, 59; Gloria Hutchinson, 37; Eddie L. Nicholson, Jr., also known as "Junior," 54; Toneisha R. Blackmon, 29; Shania N. Bailey, 23. Hollywood appeared beforeU.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on August 24, in Cape Girardeau. By selecting a language from the Google Translate menu, the user accepts the legal implications of any misinterpretations or differences in the translation. The affidavit also cites previous instances in which Alihodzic was confronted by law enforcement. Theyre recklessly doing this to increase their profits, with a wanton disregard for the fact fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the Kansas City metro have increased 149%. ABOUT A 50-50 CHANCE OF GETTING A LETHAL PILL, April 10, 2021Drug Task Force Honored By PeersThe Jackson County Drug Task Force has earned high praise from its peers in law enforcement yet again. Official websites use .gov Ortega also is charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. The transnational organized criminals trafficking drugs in Jackson County 90 years later are no less ruthless. Drug overdoses, both fatal and nonfatal, have become an epidemic in Missouri over the past decade. These international cases have had the Task Force working with federal authorities on a regular basis, making the Task Force a logical fit for this initiative targeting drug trafficking organizations that are making the streets of metro Kansas City less safe and more violent. MORE, October 18, 2019Equivalent Of More Than 250,000 'Doses' (144lbs.) Thats just a big fancy way of saying Mexican cartels bringing their drugs across the border, points out Dan Cummings, Officer-In-Charge of the Jackson County Drug Task Force. The drug epidemic affects all genders, races and many age groups in rural and urban Missouri communities. A federal. 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Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the Task Force and other local law enforcement agencies concentrated on shutting down meth labs operating inside the county. Of Meth SeizedThe COMBAT-Funded Jackson County Drug Task Force seized 144 pounds of methamphetamine during a recent search of a Kansas City property. Several of the defendants had been stopped by law enforcement officers in the past with drugs and firearms on them. Texas County deputies noticed a vehicle parked just off U.S. Route 63 on Saturday and went to check on the driver to see if assistance was needed. Additional items are still being logged into evidence. In connection to the investigation, officers have seized 27 firearms, 1,877 rounds of ammunition, more than 11.1 kilograms of marijuana, 300.9 grams of cocaine, 278.91 grams of other illegal drugs and $34,439 in cash so far. Methamphetamine is still our No. Noose, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Taurus .38-caliber revolver on Feb. 11, 2019. He asks, Should we just give up fighting and trying to make drugs as limited as possible? This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. The Missouri Narcotic Officers Association has named the Jackson County Drug Task Force the Law Enforcement Unit Of The Year four times in the last eight years. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. St. Louis drug trafficking leader pleads guilty Drug Enforcement Administration Michael A. Davis Special Agent in Charge St. Louis July 09, 2020 Contact: Andree Swanson Phone Number: (571) 362-5149 For Immediate Release St. Louis drug trafficking leader pleads guilty Seizures included cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and $2 million ST. According to an affidavit filed in the original criminal complaint, Alihodzic made arrangements with a confidential source to pilot an airplane to California to purchase 40 kilograms of methamphetamine from a Mexican national who is wanted by federal law enforcement for drug trafficking. Hollywood has a criminal history, which includes convictions for armed robbery and a prior federal conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in 2006. Lock When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Investigators also executed a search warrant at Alihodzics residence and seized additional methamphetamine and firearms. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Arizona authorities targeting the Sinaloa drug cartel have seized narcotics estimated to be worth more than $13 million, including more than 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,100 pounds of . Officers located approximately a quarter-of-a-pound. Alihodzic was the driver of a Ford F250 pickup from which law enforcement officers seized two firearms. In a 1997 article, The New York Timesdescribed a typical lab in Blue Springs as a mom-and-pop operation, set up to support mom and pops own addictionswith whatever they didnt ingest themselves then being sold. Two people from California have been arrested and charged with trafficking after The Missouri State Highway Patrol found 320 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle, according to the Highway Patrol. It was investigated by the South Central Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Howell County, Mo., Sheriffs Department, the West Plains, Mo., Police Department, and the Mountain View, Mo., Police Department. Troopers had stopped a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu for speeding before K-9 officer . They manage their cash flow, supply lines, distribution centers and employees. Kansas City, MO 64106, Telephone:(816) 426-3122
Attorneys for federal prosecution. Download the FOX4 News app to stay updated on the go. Especially alarming was the amount of fentanyl also seized: 10.4 kilograms (22.9 pounds), enough for millions. 2020 / 03:23 PM CST. Contact Local Troop Headquarters Information on this site is preliminary information relating to arrests performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Before those deals are finalized, buyers will often text photos of their cash to confirm they have the necessary funds to purchase the methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine or marijuana. I cant give you a statistic for it, but I can guarantee we prevent some peoplekidsfrom having an opportunity to try these drugs for the first time., March 8, 2022149% Increase In Overdose Deaths Linked To Fentanyl Just a speck of fentanylseven hundred thousandths of an ounce (0.00007)can kill a person, but drug dealers are using the synthetic opioid more and more to manufacture counterfeit pills or to mix it with other drugs (like a fentanyl-meth combo being distributed in baggies with a "red lips" logo). Theres 455 grams per pound and a dose of meth is just a quarter of gram. A Kansas City, Mo., man who was arrested last night during the police standoff in the 2300 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard has been charged in federal court for offenses A Joplin and Webb City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. The content of State of Missouri websites originate in English. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri, 17 Defendants Indicted for $10 Million Conspiracy to Distribute 1,000 Kilos of Meth, KC Man Charged with Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearm After Arrest During Police Standoff, Joplin, Webb City Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearms, KC Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Heroin, Cocaine Conspiracy, 17 Defendants Indicted For $10 Million Conspiracy To Distribute 1,000 Kilos of Meth. The emergence of the cartels has changed the way the Jackson County Drug Task Force goes about conducting its business. "After a nearly yearlong investigation, our law enforcement partners worked together to take down a significant drug-trafficking organization and reduce the threat of violent crime in our neighborhoods.". Mo. Andrew B. Lewis, 31, of Licking; Melissa Neal, 39, Licking; and Stephanie M. Hawkins, 35 . As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Of Meth Seized, Case Illustrates Cartel Activity In Jackson County & Beyond, 'Demand' For Meth Remains High In Jackson County, Jackson County Drug Task Force Changes With The Times. Ortega, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Jennings (Bryco) .380-caliber pistol, a Ruger 9mm pistol, and a Jennings (Jimenez Arms) 9mm pistol on May 7, 2018. Investigators found 3 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 20 grams of suspected heroin and 256 pills that were determined to be schedule II and IV drugs. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri, Nine Southern Missouri Residents Indicted for Meth Conspiracy, KC Man Charged with Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearm After Arrest During Police Standoff, Joplin, Webb City Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearms, KC Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Heroin, Cocaine Conspiracy, Nine Southern Missouri Residents Indicted For Meth Conspiracy. Missouri ranked 32nd among all states and DC for drug overdose death rates in 2020 and is the #1 leading cause of death among adults age 18-44 in Missouri. Now theyre wanting to see if the front-line dealer who sold us the stuff sold as much as he told them he did and for how much money. On Nov. 5, 2019 the day of the trip Alihodzic and the confidential source went inside Alihodzics residence. After a buy, well get follow-up calls from someone higher up in the organization, says Cummings. Acting Director
It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. K-9 Pelle was a very good boy today. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The FBI and Drug Enforcement Administrations (DEA) goal is to get the head of the snake, according to Cummings. An official website of the United States government. According to the DEA, counterfeit pills are widely available and more lethal than ever before. Seizures of phony pills containing fentanyl have increased 420% since 2019. translation. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org page for information or education and linkage to care programs. The Task Force is striving daily to stop these cartels from feeding Jackson Countys meth addictionstill the countys No. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Lets say in that 150 pounds of meth we got off the streets, theres the quarter of a gram that might have been your daughters first taste of methamphetamine. We now just have a new supply line meeting the demand.For the Task Force, following the supply line across county lines, into other states and beyond national borders has required partnering with federal agencies on more and more in-depth investigations that might take multiple months or even years to unfold. Western District of Missouri FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, January 13, 2020 Eleven Area Residents Indicted for $1.7 Million Meth, Heroin Conspiracy, Numerous Firearms Officers Seized 77 Firearms, Large Amounts of Illegal Drugs During the Investigation He will get a little extra treat today for his good work!! ST. LOUIS Willie Bernard Hollywood, 42, of Caruthersville, Missouri, was sentenced to 262 months of incarceration on one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. We shouldnt be because a lot of what we do is undercover. A search warrant was served by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and the CNET Drug Task Force early Wednesday morning at a hotel in Nevada Missouri. Updated: Dec. 23, 2016 at 6:51 AM PST. The drug trafficking organization was believed to be mainly operating in east Kansas City, Missouri. Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher said they had information about the distribution of large quantities of illegal narcotics coming from that location. It really is like getting a call from customer service.Among the weapons the Jackson County Drug Task Force has confiscated this spring include a flame thrower, fully automatic pistols and an arsenal of 46 long rifles found in one home. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. 400 East 9th Street
Steve Scott November 27, 2020. Find out who's a rat by searching our snitch list containing information about known confidential informants, state's witnesses, and other snitches from our database. Project Safe Neighborhoods Friday, March 13, 2020 17 Defendants Indicted for $10 Million Conspiracy to Distribute 1,000 Kilos of Meth KANSAS CITY, Mo. For years the Jackson County Task Force has been seizing drugs that can be traced to Mexican cartels, including 144 pounds of methamphetamine during one recent search. Charged Wednesday were 53 year old Harry Foreman and 33 year old Beth Highley with Trafficking Drugs in the second degree, 7 counts of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and other charges. For example, a federal grand jury in Kansas City indicted 12 residents from the KC and St. Louis areas last December for their roles in an $8.5 million conspiracy to distribute more than 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine over a two-year period. 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