biggest drug bust in new orleans

In the following months, the FBI orchestrated an elaborate sting and watched in amazement as Davis and Williams recruited seven other cops to protect drug shipments and guard a cocaine-filled warehouse on Franklin Avenue, sometimes while on-duty and in uniform, Gallagher said. After the killing was officially logged as a murder by police, Davis and Williams were overheard celebrating the murder with Hardy, they said. (BRPROUD) - Three men are . You will see that in every parish were dealing with the harmful effects of these drugs, Pointe Coupee Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux said. What surprised authorities most, however, was the ease at which new officers were brought into the sting. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 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. New Orleans Man Found Guilty of Drug and Weapons Violations NEW ORLEANS, LA - United States Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that DERRICK ESTES, age 42, of New Orleans, was found guilty as charged on September 21, 2022 after a two-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey. He said police believe Reynolds and Coronado distributed to Kenner street-level drug dealers and he hopes the arrests will have an effect on drug activity. A subsequent search of her home uncovered a plastic container containing suspected methamphetamines labeled with the word "dope.". The Georgia State Patrol pulled over a car that contained drugs. endstream endobj 1098 0 obj <>stream DEA agents identified Southern California narcotic couriers and stash house managers who were responsible for distributing narcotics to other drug distributors in the area, the DEA said in a press release regarding the seizure. They even sold drugs in the rain, every day from early morning till night. New Orleans, La. 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. When the main players had their cases go to trial, the warehouse owner received a life sentence, according to the Los Angeles Times. Remember when we discussed a secret drug tunnel in Arizona that authorities discovered in 2018? In the world of drug enforcement, it pays to be patient. Federal agents caught two men with 86 pounds of heroin, which was worth roughly . Agents also identified multiple addresses associated with WILLIAMS in the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana area. Published Nov. 1, 2022 12:46 p.m. PDT. They chose to be drug dealers, they chose to be gun-toters, they chose to put children at risk. Acting on a tip, authorities searched a house and discovered nearly 18,000 pounds of wrapped cocaine estimated to be worth $1 billion. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking marijuana. A locked padlock A search warrant was also executed in the 1600 block of Charbonnet Street. "6"f6C0%`{0fb9YY>y X,Czy9|:85Ci:=yvSnt1(juUZVD m@?~UAm1qXfG?A tX"|u `. The . An official website of the United States government. 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. NEW ORLEANS, La. 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. 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. (WAFB) - Twelve suspected drug dealers believed to be part of a large drug ring are locked up after a joint investigation between the Pointe Coupee Sheriffs Office, New Roads Police Department, and Louisiana State Police. One California raid in 2014 remains one of the biggest drug busts the U.S. has ever seen. ORLEANS COUNTY, N.Y. A man from Medina faces numerous drug and weapons charges following a raid at two locations in Orleans County. The China white heroin recovered -- worth approximately $3 billion on the street -- was described, at the time, as the largest heroin bust in U.S. history, according to U.S. Customs. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized approximately one million pills laced with fentanyl allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in what authorities say is the biggest bust for the drug in California history on July, 5, 2022, in Inglewood, California. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized approximately one million pills laced with fentanyl allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in what authorities say is the biggest bust for the drug in California history. ]Rs$%ooED Agents conducted surveillance on two of these properties WILLIAMSs stash house (Stash House) and home, both in Gretna. This is the largest metropolitan area of Louisiana, with approximately 1.2 million residents. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. Drug trafficking is probably the most lucrative illegal money maker, which the richest drug dealers of all time can attest to. There's no question that perhaps as many as 15 to 20 more officers could have been apprehended, " Jordan said. MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- In the biggest drug bust recorded in Mesa Police Department history, officers uncovered over 700,000 fentanyl pills and more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin. Chief Serpas says 15 people were using that corner to sell drugs. Agents discovered approximately twenty-one (21) kilograms of cocaine in hidden drawer compartments inside a wooden TV cabinet in the Stash House, and approximately forty-five (45) kilograms of cocaine and $3.9 million in drug proceeds in WILLIAMSs home. NEW ORLEANS, La. Minutes before the slaying, Davis was heard giving Hardy a description of Groves' clothing, prosecutors said. Authorities confirmed Edwards was distributing narcotics throughout the Pointe Coupee area, and on Thursday, Aug. 4, they executed multiple search warrants. A month of surveillance and a coordinated law enforcement effort produced one of the biggest drug busts weve ever seen. Next: Proof that you cant hide anything from the authorities. Neel left the building without police officers speaking with her, according to the arrest report. The NOPD says 15 people were . A staggering number of teens and young adults are unaware that they are ingesting fentanyl in these fake pills and are being poisoned.. 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. "Concerned citizens" passed on the tip about Reynolds and Coronado, who were the only people living in the single-story house on Connecticut Avenue. City leaders say that gang is responsible for 15 murders since 2008. Officials also reportedly seized one AR-15 rifle, and two semiautomatic handguns, one of which was stolen out of Pointe Coupee. Next: Another 2018 raid is among the biggest drug busts ever. WILLIAMS sold six of these seven properties for a profit. However, when authorities showed up at the home in . 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. 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. Were right off of the Highway 90 interchange, so that if youre moving drugs through, its quite easy to think that they could stop in a sleepy little parish. Rafael Molina, 43, Gustavo Balderas, 32, and Michael Garza, 34, all from Texas, were charged this February in a six-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury with several narcotic offenses. 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. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. Police are looking for Gerald Chambers Sr. and Eddie Dokes. Eastern District of Louisiana Feds bust 127 in biggest mob sweep in US history (video) By. The seizure happened earlier this month in Inglewood, California, after the DEAs Los Angeles Field Division High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Group 48, along with the DEA New York Division Tactical Diversion Squad and Hawthorne Police Department, had been investigating a Los Angeles-area drug trafficking organization since May that authorities believed was linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. LSP Col. Lamar Davis says getting these drugs off the streets saves countless lives. He and his Medellin cartel cohorts made an estimated $420 million each weeksupplying 80% of the cocaine in the United States in the 1980s. Official websites use .gov Maybe there wasn't enough evidence. Criminal drug networks in Mexico are mass-producing illicit fentanyl and fake pills pressed with fentanyl in filthy, clandestine, unregulated labs, the DEA warned in their statement. New Orleans Police and the FBI announce theyve arrested of a heroin dealer in the Lower Ninth Ward. Next: Where have we heard this one before? NOPD arrests 15 in undercover drug bust. After the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, OxyContin became an even bigger problem in New Orleans. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. . So, while a 1984 raid in Colombia (with the help of the DEA) seizing 13.8 metric tons of cocaine worth $1.2 billion represents one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history, that was just a good month for Escobars clan. The seizure also helped police shut down business specializing in selling marijuana horticulture supplies. The estimated street value of the pills is between $15 to $20 million. Carlos Rodriguez, Adam Dees, Christopher Evans of the 5th District; Keith Johnson and Sheldon Polk of the 2nd; Bryant Brown, assigned to public housing; and Larry Smith, assigned to the juvenile division - all face charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and use of firearms while drug trafficking. These fake pills are designed to look like real prescription pills right down to the size, shape, color and stamping. They don't want to go get training and do something positive in this community. - A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police. are spent on heroin than any other drug. "I will not tolerate it, " Pennington said. Biggest drug bust in Halton police history announced. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. In October 2020, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced one of the largest drug busts in history. Meanwhile, he said, agents kept a close eye on Davis and were prepared to arrest him at "any time of the day or night. 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. Nearly a quarter 22% . Roughly enough Heroin to supply an estimated 500,000 heroin users for a month. June 1, 2021, 11:02 PM. 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. This isnt a comprehensive list of the biggest drug busts, but it gives you an idea of how much money is at stake. 1957(a) by purchasing and then developing these seven real estate properties with profits generated from his cocaine sales. 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. They were contemplating taking an act of violence against the primary undercover agent. January 21, 2011 5:00am. 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. h2405U0P0405S0 - Chief Federal District Court Judge Scott W. Skavdahl sentenced Arnold Devonne Butler, 54, today in Casper. She had been accused of stealing $5,000 from a man she'd been staying with. "The police officers did the same, and this was captured on videotape.". (Louisiana State Police). The other police officers were arrested Wednesday. It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. "We put everyone on notice today. (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). The bulk shipments of drugs are usually broken down into smaller quantities and transported to other states or distributed to local dealers, the DEA said. 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 . 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. 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. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Pennington said he immediately suspended the nine officers. There were seven overdose deaths last year in Pointe Coupee Parish. A dozen people are facing charges after a months-long . 1.San Francisco is home to the crown of the world largest ever recorded drugs bust. Next: Lets head down the coast for No. LAFAYETTE, La. Agents seized approximately 66 kilograms of cocaine and about $3.9 million in drug proceeds hidden inside his Gretna stash house and home. 9P!r=zi4/`Xh\rI|v-tsu3I|P34X{}/u4Cj)*JSM(^cuYB/MC|YC2y~%EY2b s0 \?V&!qk/.pC2DP3qpwEN/Qo=I;.[kKo,Il_3J>rg\%k6{8O?bw),!l|E3DxgP 6{tEG`3>@dO!Zh{gv~E?F?6;6g.*VGj(O/xq_G?ru$~vfs!TwT}{6Wmi{)f7Z$Jwq7YMb&Y$:gGq6}x3HJf=.}h4gc)jC[]!65koPJVQWjf v(Io j2> A warehouse raid in Hayward in the east bay seized 1,200 pounds of heroin worth roughly $3 billion. It will end because we are never going to stop going after these people.". Appointed in October, he acknowledged that he inherited a department riddled with corruption and vowed to weed out bad officers through aggressive internal investigations. Rhode Island has some of the loosest marijuana laws in the country, but you avoid trouble only when you have a little bit. Many of them are believed to be part of a gang known as the 89er's or T-Blocc. United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo will sentence WILLIAMS on August 11, 2021. La. French: Le Pont-de-Claix, Grenoble, Isre, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, France. The investigation remains ongoing. "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. "One in law enforcement may consider that a gift from heaven. You have permission to edit this article. "The police officers, not the FBI, brought in all of these bad, corrupt cops.". Sylmar is something of a sleepy town northwest of Los Angeles, but its the site of what might be the biggest drug bust ever. A%@F~HeA~@bzj\)L!D94`; (d>AM3f 1 ", Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. One of the biggest drug busts ever in Atlanta happened in 2012, and it remains one of the largest in U.S. history. For years, police say, citizens continued to call Crimestoppers and the 5th District station to complain about drug dealing at the intersection of North Tonti and Almonaster. One happened in Harlingen in southeast Texas in 1989. 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. Two 29-year-old men from Gray, Louisiana -- Hakeam Drane and Spencer Rounds, Jr. -- along with 28-year-old Larry Chatman of Thibodeaux, were charged on May 20, in a four-count indictment by a federal grand jury. Any defense by officers that they didn't know what was stored at the site will be countered with hours of taped conversations, they said. Next: The biggest bust this city has ever seen. On Monday, Lafayette police seized 23 pounds$2 million worthof meth in what's being called the largest drug bust in Lafayette Police Department history. "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. And were here to tell you that were not sleeping. TORONTO -. 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 . On November 19, 2020, agents conducted an investigatory stop on WILLIAMSs vehicle. 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. The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force says Xavier . 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. 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. The operation involved around 80 investigators from nine . More than 107,000 Americans have died as a result of fentanyl overdose or poisoning, according to the CDC. Handy was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation S.W.A.T. A lock ( P:. Federal agents caught two men with 86 pounds of heroin, which was worth roughly $6 million at the time. that they were contemplating ripping off the couriers. Thats a big bust in a big city, but its far from being one of the biggest drug busts in U.S. history. Gallagher said he was particularly concerned with the possibility of danger to undercover agents. 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. They estimated the drugs to be worth at least $870,000 on the street. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. 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. We're going to clean this department up.". Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Attorney Frank DeSalvo, who represents the Police Association of New Orleans, said Wednesday, "I just left three happy officers who didn't get indicted. Its going to take all of us for us to rip these drugs out of our communities, Davis said. Jordan, at a news conference with Gallagher and Police Superintendent Richard Pennington, said more indictments could follow in the coming weeks. Police tape is shown in Toronto on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Two men described as violent drug traffickers - Paul "Cool" Hardy and Damon Causey - have been charged in the Oct. 13 murder. 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.