The KCKPD said the pills are nearly identical to those dispensed by pharmacies, but are cut with potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. KANSAS CITY, Ks. Gold and silver coins found at drug bust, Florida cops say | Miami Herald Save; Police Bust Drug Ring Responsible For Selling More Than 2600 Kilos Of Cocaine. . Federal agents heard popping noises similar to that of a firearm and the screaming sound of human voices. Right now, the DEA lab is testing these pills. Law enforcement arrested two immigrants who had . KCK police seize $100,000 in fentanyl during sweep of shipping facility, KU student found dead at sorority house, no foul play suspected, Woman found dead after officers respond to a welfare check, Two men charged with stealing jerseys from Nike Room at NFL Draft, Three dead in pair of overnight shootings, police believe incidents are related, Fatal two vehicle crash in KCK leaves one dead, FORECAST: Gusty winds and cooler air Sunday, warmer air on the horizon. Four Springfield, Mo., men were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The indictment also alleges that Aurelio Jimenez-Cimental arranged a meeting between an undercover law enforcement officer of the Jackson County Drug TaskForce and Oscar Lopez-Perez and Victor Castillo-Soto to discuss moving money to California. U.S. Justice Department. November D. Gardner, also known as October and Nuttie, 24. U.S. Attorney's Office March 23, 2023. Ramon Soto-Garcia, along with Missael Soto-Vejar, allegedly distributed the drugs to other members of the conspiracy, including Aurelio Jimenez-Cimental, brothers Jesus and Ricardo Hernandez-Mujica, Antonio Arroyo-Cardenas, Alejandro Salas, Dennys Sermeno-Campos, Jose Bernardo-Vasquez, Ivan Rueda-Simental and Iriarte Tadeo-Sosa. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron H. Black and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie C. Bradshaw. The indictment also charges various other defendants in the remaining counts with illegally possessing firearms and with possessing and distributing methamphetamine. For example, the indictment alleges that Dennys Sermeno-Campos attempted to ship $76,000 that had been wrapped in eight bundles in duct tape, carbon paper and dryer sheets and concealed within a hollowed-out computer tower from Raytown, Mo., to Sun Valley, Calif., on July 15, 2013. Families at Kansas City school learn how to prevent more, Antiquated thinking: Effort to prevent fentanyl overdoses stalls in Kansas Capitol, Missing 22-year-old Kansas City man has been found safe: police, Thanks to Missouris voter ID law, Kansas Citians must pay to vote. In addition to transporting the drugs themselves, conspirators also paid couriers to deliver drugs to the Kansas City area. However, the Clark County (Nev.) coroner's office has ruled Bonnar died due to an accidental drug overdose. Police encouraged the public to immediately call 911 if someone exhibits overdose. He is diagnosed with autism, is non-verbal and has medical conditions that require care. U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore said Thursday in a release that 14 federal, state and local agencies participated in the effort to charge 39 defendants for their role in a $4.7 million methamphetamine and heroin conspiracy. The three suspects were charged in the incident with the following: WATCH LIVE: The Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office gives an update on Wednesday's shooting that left three KCK officers injured. A man identified as Matthew Carrell was discovered dead inside. The seizure occurred during a routine sweep of a local shipping distribution center, although police have not said exactly where the bust happened. The ledger showed that during a four-month period of time this drug trafficking organization distributed more than 800 kilograms of cocaine and received $10 million in drug proceeds. Kansas City police are asking for help finding 22-year-old Kevontay Watson who is missing. Because Ramon Soto-Garcia did not communicate well in English, the indictment says, he employed his girlfriend, Rosalia Avila, to help translate for him and also to transfer funds to pay for the narcotics. More than two dozen people have been charged in connection to a violent drug trafficking operation in the Kansas City metro. Drug U-47700 Poses Risk to Kansas Citizens: 6/2/2016 #6-2016: Grant County Missing Persons Investigation: 4/22/2016 #5-2016: Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. The seizure occurred. Western District of Missouri According to the attorney general's office, it is the largest seizure in the 46 year history of New York's Organized Crime Task Force. This operation took a significant amount of illegal drugs off the street, and disrupted a large Mexican drug-trafficking organization in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Moore said in the release. Brown, 36, of Leavenworth; and Amy S. Janish, 44, of Lincoln, Missouri. Anthony D. Harris, 40, Latrell O. Dunn was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. All rights reserved. A weekly compilation of engaging digital content. Corredor also admitted that he was involved in plans to assassinate two men in the Kansas City area in April and June 2009. According to court documents, ATF began investigating the drug trafficking organization in April 2021. A DEA report states that investigators in the 1990s traced fentanyl-laced heroin to two clandestine labs in Wichita, where 40 pounds of the drug were seized. Investigators also recovered cash, five firearms and a 3D printer with manufactured ghost gun parts. Edited by Anita Badejo and Marc Georges . Tactical officers later found her hiding behind a basement couch. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com. approached the home to execute a search warrant, Three police officers shot during east Kansas City drug raid released from hospital, Man died by suicide after Kansas City drug raid where 3 cops were shot: Authorities, Missing 22-year-old Kansas City man has been found safe: police, Thanks to Missouris voter ID law, Kansas Citians must pay to vote. Wednesday, April 05, 2023. . Operation Signed and Sealed was a two-year, multi-agency investigation into a drug-trafficking organization that sold over 700 pounds of methamphetamine, 250 kilograms of cocaine and multiple kilograms of heroin in the Kansas City metropolitan area, with an estimated total value of more than $16 million. When we get them, we send them to them. Davis is set to appear in court on Wednesday. Federal court documents show agents arrested four people Tuesday . 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. Estimates show the 22 pounds of fentanyl, worth about $200 million, would be enough for nearly 5 million fatal doses. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images). How Two Generals Led Sudan to the Brink of Civil War All three KCK police officers injured during undercover drug sting A big drug bust along the interstate in western Kansas found enough of a deadly drug to kill everyone in the state. Kansas City police intercept massive fentanyl brick in bust The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department served a warrant at a home on June 1, where they found approximately 6,000 counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl along with eight firearms and other drugs, department spokeswoman Nancy Chartrand said. A lock ( We suspect that a new batch of this has hit Wichita, WPD Capt. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy. Today, the Department of . The vast majority of those were related to fentanyl, police said. The counterfeit pills are designed to look like medication from a pharmacy, but they contain potentially lethal amounts of fentanyl, which has opiate properties. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean T. Foley. Federal prosecutors have charged a 34-year-old woman with transporting over 3,700 grams of fentanyl after she was found hiding at the scene of a Kansas City police standoff where three officers were injured. 39 Defendants Indicted in $4.7 Million Meth, Heroin Conspiracy Copyright 2023 KCTV. Kansas City police intercept massive fentanyl brick. The bonds for the three suspects have been set at $250,000. One man escaped and another was recaptured after a drug bust in western Kansas was followed by a failed sting in Kansas City, Kansas. The charges stem from a year-long investigation. KANSAS CITY, Mo. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force. The Stars Glenn E. Rice, Luke Nozicka, Bill Lukitsch, Robert A. Cronkleton and Katie Moore contributed to this report. They also seized $80,025 that was hidden inside a microwave oven on Sept. 17, 2013, and $70,000 that was hidden inside a CD player on Sept. 26, 2013. Davis was aware law enforcement officers were attempting to gain entry into the residence and clear the residence of subjects inside, the motion reads. . The federal indictment alleges that all of the defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Sept. 1, 2018, to Nov. 5, 2019. Kansas City Field Division News. The next day, officers found an additional 9,000 pills, cocaine, marijuana and two more firearms in vehicles on the property, police said. The KBI reported finding more than 4.5 lbs. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that the leader of the conspiracy, co-defendant Alejandro S. Corredor, aka "Lou Lou," "Rolo," and "Alex," 36, a citizen of Colombia residing in Kansas City, Mo., had connections with a Mexican drug cartel. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied journalism and English. A total of 17 defendants, primarily from the Kansas City metropolitan area, have been indicted for their roles in a nearly $10 million conspiracy to distribute almost 1,000 kilograms of methamphetamine. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. After they pulled into the garage of the residence on Blue Ridge Boulevard, Davis said she heard a loud noise outside and was told to run inside and hide by Lewis and Carrell. Among several other cash seizures, officers seized nearly $654,000 in a traffic stop on May 9, 2009, and more than $50,000 from another vehicle on May 19, 2009, all of which was proceeds from the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Two Kansas City, Kansas, Residents Indicted for Fentanyl Conspiracy. Room 5510 The Department of Justice estimated in 2017 that 1 kilogram of fentanyl is enough to create 1 million counterfeit pills that would sell for more than $20 million. Upon a search of the vehicle, officers found over 3,700 grams of fentanyl, 155 grams of methamphetamine and 28 grams of powder cocaine hidden inside. KBI - Kansas Bureau of Investigation - Media Releases The 10 blue packages contained about 22 pounds of fentanyl. The FDA approved Narcan for over-the-counter use late last month - a welcome move, particularly when the drug market is full of fentanyl, a synthetic and powerful opioid.. U.S. drug overdose . Four more packages were wrapped in gray tape and vacuum sealed. The injured officers were transported with non-life threatening injuries. Ashley Davis is charged with possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. The additional two were treated as a result of scrap metal. Dean, 19, and Seville S.. Whether its a short vacation or theyre jetting off to begin their career, show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. He is diagnosed with autism, is non-verbal and has medical conditions that require care. The metro area continues to experience record numbers of overdoses involving the highly potent drug, KCK police said. The second murder resulted in the death of Steven James in April 2009. Grand Island Man Sentenced for Firearm and Drug Trafficking Crimes. Court documents allege she picked up the drugs in February after taking a trip to Lynwood, California, with 50-year-old Jimmie Lewis, Jr., who also faces charges. October 6, 2011 Kansas City, MO Narcotics 5 sentenced for international drug smuggling conspiracy in Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. Western District of Missouri Kansas City Field Division News | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms In a news release, the Norton PD said the estimated street value of all the seized drugs combined is about $80,000 to $90,000. According to the indictment, federal agents also seized a total of approximately $180,000 that was similarly hidden in two computer towers on Sept. 10, 2013. District of Kansas (316) 269-6481 KANSAS CITY, KS Sixteen people are charged in a federal indictment alleging they were part of a drug trafficking organization that distributed more than. U.S. officials say they've identified and infiltrated the Mexican drug organization that's largely responsible for the fentanyl crisis killing tens of thousands of . Deone D. Gardner, also known as Twin, 29. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Bags of heroin, some laced with fentanyl, are displayed before a press conference regarding a major drug bust, at the office of the New York Attorney General, September 23, 2016 in New York City. The affidavit also cites previous instances in which Alihodzic was confronted by law enforcement. But there is still a lot of work to do.. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. At the time of arrest, officers 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. During an interview with police, Lewis admitted he and Davis had driven to California to meet with a supplier. Agents were conducting surveillance at a Kansas City residence that day when they observed co-defendants hiding what they learned were bundles of cash inside the door panels of a Jeep Cherokee. "This operation took a significant amount of illegal drugs. 30 people charged in meth bust | News | newspressnow.com A Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman said in a previous statement that MSHP investigators, the Jackson County Prosecutors Office and the Jackson County Medical Examiners Office concluded Carrell died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, though investigators would continue to go through evidence to determine all that occurred inside the house when the police officers fired their service weapons. There have been 61 overdoses and 11 overdose deaths in Kansas City, Kansas, so far this year, police said. A locked padlock Hosted by Michael Barbaro. Deputies: Drugs found stashed in Little Debbie box during Arkansas Officers also found a number of spent shell casings on top of the truck, in the street, and in a nearby residences front yard. The victims were a 19-year-old man who died after taking just one pill, a 16-year-old boy and 23- and 27-year-old men. Official websites use .gov Dean, 19, and Seville S. Gardner, 37, are the latest defendants to be charged in a 112-count indictment unsealed by federal courts Thursday. Terrance M. Harris, aka "T-Nutty," 25, of Independence, Mo., was sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole. Forensic lab testing by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation showed the 29 clear bundles contained about 36 pounds of meth. View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com. There have been 61 overdoses and 11 overdose deaths in Kansas City, Kansas, so far this year, police said. Former Employee Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Molotov Cocktail Attack on St. Charles Restaurant. - A federal judge sentences one of 13 defendants for his role in a drug trafficking case involving . As the door was broken open with a battering ram, an officer was struck by gunfire coming from the area of the door and window, according to court documents. With Mary Wilson and Rikki Novetsky. KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - A shooting following an undercover drug bust Wednesday afternoon resulted in several injuries, including five police officers. Wichita was home to one of the first domestically-produced illicit-fentanyl cases in the United States. Lewis then exited through the basements rear door, as did another man, who was determined not to be involved in the assault, according to court documents. The shooting occurred just after 3 p.m. in the area of North 18th Street and Wood Avenue, south of Parallel Parkway. Police described the drug as 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. Federal prosecutors brought charges against Lewis stemming from a November 2021 arrest in which he was accused of possessing 400 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm. Opioid overdose death climbed to 145 in 2020, an increase of more than 50% from the previous year. The drugs were found in western Kansas, where meth is valued at the high end of the range. The 22 pounds of fentanyl equate to nearly 5 million deadly doses. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On that day, the affidavit says, investigators seized approximately six pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms, including an AK-47 type assault pistol with two high capacity magazines. During a second attempt to enter the home, police found Davis inside, uninjured. Jason Tidd is a reporter at The Wichita Eagle covering breaking news, crime and courts. Report: Stephan Bonnar died from accidental fentanyl drug overdose Many people take the drugs without knowing they contain fentanyl, police said. The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. The following eight additional co-defendants have pleaded guilty and been sentenced: Daoud L. Homes, aka "Bootsie," 33, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in federal prison without parole. Roy D. Murray, aka "Wonderbread," 38, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to three years in federal prison without parole. Five local men were sentenced in federal court last week for their roles in one of the largest cocaine trafficking rings in the Kansas City-area. In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, several defendants are also charged with participating in a money-laundering conspiracy. Five defendants remain on the run. November Gardner and Deone Gardner have been charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with a witness after they allegedly used physical force against an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to prevent the agent from testifying at their trial. Monday, February 27, 2023. KANSAS CITY, Mo. However, Harris and Gardner are the only two to be charged in the drug trafficking conspiracy. Joplin, Webb City Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearms. We fear we are going to have more of these.. Room 5510 KANSAS CITY, Mo. Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department officers were following up on an investigation from a few days prior that involved drug dealers accused of selling large amounts of fentanyl. Five Springfield, Mo., residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for illegally possessing firearms. Lewis said he gave their vehicle to the supplier, and he and Davis slept in a hotel room until they received word that the vehicle had been loaded. The two of them traded off driving on the way back to Kansas City, she told police. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. - Twenty Mexican nationals are among 39 defendants indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a $4.7 million conspiracy to distribute more than 335 kilograms of methamphetamine and 22 kilograms of heroin over the past two years. Kansas City, MO 64106, Telephone:(816) 426-3122 Nationwide, an estimated 105,752 people died of a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending October 2021, according to the CDC Fahrudin F. Fejzic, also known as Frank, 48, Steven M. Lyons, also known as Pops, 60, Shelly Marie Exton, 38, Mary L. Corona, 38, and Jesus Banuelos Jr., 21, all of Kansas City, Missouri; Jessica E. Ashworth, also known as Barbie, 30, of Kansas City, Kansas; Justin D. Warren, 31, and Crystell A. Smith, 34, both of Independence, Missouri; John W. Tatom, 48, of Leavenworth, Kansas; and Lesley A. Wilkerson, 45, of Clinton, Missouri, were charged in a 44-count second superseding indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday, March 11. A 33-count indictment includes charges of conspiracy, distribution and possession that would require a decade or more in prison if convicted. Gleneice Lashawn Phillips, 24, and Kamryne Jahni Wright, 19, are charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Law enforcement officers seized large quantities of cocaine and marijuana and millions of dollars in alleged drug proceeds during the investigation. Then he found 29 bundles that were wrapped in clear plastic bags and vacuum sealed. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Six out of every 10 pills has a lethal amount of fentanyl in it, so you are talking 6,000 of those pills could have been deadly for someone to take.. The Jackson County Drug Task Force received word of the trip on Feb. 23 and obtained a search warrant of Lewis phone to access his location data, according to documents filed in federal court. He can fix it, NFL executive thanks KC for hosting Draft, says attendance slightly exceeded projection, Photos: Travis Kelce, Machine Gun Kelly, a smashed Super Bowl trophy. The charges stem from a year-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The price of meth has hit a 20-year low in the states largest city, according to a member of the Wichita Police Department command staff. Officers returned fire, and two other officers were also shot, authorities said. The gray packages had a cutting agent that by itself is not a controlled substance. 3 officers wounded by gunfire, 2 suffer scrap metal injuries in KCK An affidavit written by a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper who is also a task force officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration details how the suspected drug traffickers were caught during a traffic stop. Jose Soto-Garcia, Jesus Hernandez-Mujica, Ricardo Hernandez-Mujica, Rueda-Simental, Soto-Vejar, Jimenez-Cimental, Tadeo-Soto, Arroyo-Cardenas, Gilberto Castillo-Soto, Victor Castillo-Soto, Zazueta-Valenzuela, Alvarado-Soto and Monica Soto-Garcia are all citizens of Mexico. The U.S. Attorneys Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. The drug bust happened on Jan. 19 in Trego County and led to criminal charges that were filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita on Tuesday. Law enforcement investigators were conducting surveillance at Alihodzics residence on Feb. 19, 2019. After watching him pull in, officers with the Kansas City Police Departments Tactical Response Team approached the home to execute a search warrant. By FBI/DEA. Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Jenna Thompson covers breaking news for The Kansas City Star. Aguilar-Valle is also charged with one count of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Law enforcement officials say theyve busted a Mexican drug-trafficking operation in Kansas City. - Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that 26 defendants have been indicted in a $16 million drug-trafficking conspiracy that involved smuggling large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin from Mexico for distribution in the Kansas City, Mo., metropolitan area. Cowboys Miss On Kicker; Sign Gould? Jerry Reveals Plan In a motion seeking to hold Lewis without bail before trial, federal prosecutors said he is a suspected high-level member of a drug trafficking organization. Officers monitored Lewis location for days, until they observed him pulling into a home on the 2300 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard around 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 28. 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