The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Eighteen people were charged in a major drug bust following a year long investigation, announced FBI authorities and Montgomery County and Prince George's County police. AS FAR AS THOSE IN CUSTODY RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND. REUTERS/Karen ToroReuters. Some of those leads are going to be outside of the state of Maryland, which is why we are working with our federal partners," said Lt. Adam Howard, of the Maryland State Police Department's Criminal Enforcement Division Eastern Region. REPOERRT: AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS OF SURVEILLANCE 11 WARRANTS WERE ISSUED IN CARONELI , DORCHESTER, PRINCE GEORGES, AND ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTIES. April 26, 2022 / 6:00 PM / CBS Baltimore EASTON, Md. He is facing two counts of being a drug kingpin, as well as several drug possession and distribution charges, the news release said. Detectives found that the average size per cultivation at farms increased to 15 greenhouses, up from eight per farm in the year prior. Authorities say the group used the housing complex "as an open-air drug market where traffickers routinely conducted hand-to-hand drug transactions.". More than 200 locations were served with search warrants. "This massive seizure likely saved lives and prevented the Sinaloa Cartel from doing business and profiting on the lives of people in our communities.". EASTON, Md. Authorities in Southern California have seized more than 16 tons of marijuana worth an estimated $1.19 billion, Los Angeles County Sheriff's . Investigators said the searches also uncovered 2.7 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, 5.9 kilograms of crystal meth and 34 firearms. REPORTER: POLICE AND TELL US THIS IS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION AND MORE CHARGES AND ARRESTS, INCLUDING ARRESTS AROUND THE COUNTRY COULD BE PENDING. July 9, 2021 / 10:14 AM State and county leaders announced the operation, Put a Drug Ring out of Business. Multiple law enforcement agencies ultimately provided assistance with the investigation, state police said. Local authorities charged a California man and woman Thursday in a massive drug bust that found more than 46 pounds of a lethal and potent synthetic opioid, multiple sources reported. The first bust happened around 7:45 p.m. at a Royal Farms in the 2500 block of Mountain Road in Pasadena. George Earl Gee, age 37, of Beltsville, Maryland. The operation, which began on June 8, resulted in 22 felony arrests, 109 misdemeanor arrests, and 19 arrests from water theft enforcement teams, officials said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); While this was a great drug bust it is concerning that the drugs had already entered the U.S. Watch Live: Closing arguments underway in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. Maryland bust nets $1M in drugs, 9 arrests, 34 guns Authorities said they seized more than $1 million in drugs, including 18 kilograms of cocaine, 2.7 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl, and 170 lbs. Brandon Richardson, age 30, of Silver Spring, Ryan Snowden, age 30, of Laurel, Maryland, Sonya Darby Thomas, a/k/a "Peaches," age 37, of Gaithersburg, and. According to the agency, authorities had been investigating a cocaine and meth drug trafficking organization believed to be linked to the Sinaloa Cartel. On Feb. 24, the task force served eleven search warrants at homes across Maryland. Reach her at tori.powell@viacomcbs.com, First published on July 7, 2021 / 8:12 PM. Unless otherwise stated, photos Big Stock Photography Dreamstime Photos Google Maps Thompson Reuters. (WDVM) The Cumberland Police Department teamed up with Maryland State Police for a search and seizure. Holland and Williams, both of whom remain in custody at the Dorchester County Detention Center, face similar lists of charges including multiple counts of being a drug kingpin and various drug possession and distribution charges. Rayvon Walls, age 25, of Indian Head, Maryland. President Guillermo Lasso, a conservative former banker, has pushed for Ecuador to ramp up efforts to fight gangs that use the country as a transit point for shipping cocaine to the United States and Europe. Of the 201 tonnes of drugs seized in Ecuador last year, almost 18% was destined for Belgium, specifically Antwerp, Zapata said. Example video title will go here for this video, 'Peak Bloom' for the Cherry Blossoms is expected March 22-25 in DC. Indictment at Silver Spring housing complex, The first indictment charges 14 people in connection with drug trafficking operations near a housing complex in the 14000 block of Bel Pre Drive in Silver Spring. Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury has indicted 19 Baltimore men on federal charges related to an alleged drug distribution conspiracy operating in Northwest Baltimore near the intersection of Liberty Heights Avenue and Garrison Boulevard. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the impacts of illegal marijuana cultivation by cartels include water theft, human trafficking, pollution and threats to safety and security. Four people, Terrence Chester, 29 years old, Derrick Foxworth, 36 years old, Brandi Hartley, 40 years old and Alonzo Harris, 31 years old, all of Cumberland were arrested and charged with three counts of possession with intent to distribute not marijuana, three counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and firearms-related charges. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. NORCO, Calif. (KABC) -- More than 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine were found in a massive drug bust in Norco last month, making it the largest seizure of meth for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles Division. 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Others indicted include Michael Anthony Holland, 36, of Hurlock; Gregory Lovern Williams Jr., 39, of Federalsburg; Margerette Derosiers, 28, of Federalsburg; Andre Luther Woolford, 33, of Hurlock; Joseph Archie Spain III, 44, of Preston; Michelle Lynn Spain, 48, of Preston; James Eugene Simms, 36, of Great Mills; and George Alfred Butler, 56, of Federalsburg, according to the release. (Howard County Police ) A complaint . Nine people have been indicted in connection with a drug bust conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies in Maryland, authorities announced this week. "18 kilograms of cocaine, 2.7 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl, 5.9 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 170 pounds of marijuana and approximately 34 firearms"Picture from police:@wjz pic.twitter.com/a5fTULicBr. The Border Patrolofficers utilized the ports imaging system to screen the vehicle and observed irregularities in the gas tank. of Fentanyl worth over $3 million. FILE PHOTO: Workers unload sacks containing cocaine packages from a truck before the incineration of more than nine tons of cocaine which were seized during different operations, according to the Ecuador's Interior Ministry, in a warehouse at an undisclosed location, in Ecuador April 21, 2022. A Pasadena drug bust prompted two arrests, police said. This all came about because fn . GREENBELT, Md. pic.twitter.com/y21yWExTT9. According to police, the investigation led to the acquisition of a search warrant for Aviles, which was executed on Thursday, Nov. 3 by members of the Talbot County Drug Task Force, Maryland State Police, Federalsburg Police Department, and the Maryland State Police S.T.A.T.E Team in Federalsburg. REPORTER: CAROLINE COTYUN STATES ATTORNEY JOE RILEY REACTS TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A MAJOR DRUG BUST ON THE EASTERN SHORE. (ABC7 photo) GAITHERSBURG, Md. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sanders is charged with first-degree murder in Thomas killing. According to the news release, an ongoing investigation into the sale of illegal drugs lead them to the 300 block of Columbia Street. Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. "There's a lot of money. July 9, 2021 / 10:14 AM / CBS News. Police seized more than 80 pounds of meth, 200 bags of fentanyl, more than two dozen guns and $135,000 in cash in a massive drug bust in Montgomery County. ", Release from @MDSP stated the following was recovered as a result of the Eastern Shore drug bust. Police: Task force dismantles Eastern Shore drug trafficking organization. "The reality is they were intended for the large metropolitan areas along the Mid-Atlantic.". Andres Jesus Morales, 30, and Christine Ponce, 27, were charged with four drug-related felonies with the intent to sell a controlled substance, the Riverside . BALTIMORE, MD Several relatives were indicted after a Maryland drug bust, officials announced Wednesday. The massive amount. The signaling from Beijing comes as the U.S. escalates its warnings against China providing arms to the Kremlin as Russias campaign in Ukraine continues to suffer. inmate tried to escape from the Central Mens Jail today, Teacher from Santa Ana arrested for allegedly placing a recording device in a high school bathroom, An O.C. She called on the district attorney to prosecute those arrested in the operation. Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Narcotic Bureau identified over 500 illegal marijuana cultivations in 2021, increasing from the 150 identified in 2020, according to a June statement. The indictments were unsealed Monday after authorities arrested the defendants and searched 29 residences and two businesses, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland. Local authorities charged a California man and woman Thursday in a massive drug bust that found more than 46 pounds of a lethal and potent synthetic opioid, multiple sources reported. 1 of 4. All defendants in crime reports are presumed innocent until proven guilty. SEIZED TO KILL EVERYONE ON THE EASTERN SHORE. As the result of eight-month investigation, police spokeswoman Jackie Davis said the department has seized 1.74 kilograms of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid far more potent than heroin, as well as. Ecuador, Belgium Sign Deal to Fight Crime After Mega Cocaine Bust, FILE PHOTO: Workers unload sacks containing cocaine packages from a truck before the incineration of more than nine tons of cocaine which were seized during different operations, according to the Ecuador's Interior Ministry, in a warehouse at an undisclosed location, in Ecuador April 21, 2022. But Childs and his squad . It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. (WJZ) -- Police charged three people in Anne Arundel County with drug possession after they allegedly found crack-cocaine in their . EASTON, Md. The Riverside Police Department raided Morales and Ponces home in Perris, California, on Aug. 17, where they found 46.2 pounds of carfentanil, 8.8 pounds of cocaine, and 2.2 pounds of heroin, according to USA Today. According to WJZ-TV, authorities believe Justin Aaron Spain, 41, of Lanham, was the main supplier. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Police said investigators developed evidence from years of surveillance that led to warrants to search homes in Preston, Hurlock, Federalsburg, Lanham and Crofton, where police said they recovered more than 18 kilograms of cocaine, 2.7 kilograms of heroin/fentanyl, 5.9 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 170 pounds of marijuana, almost 34 guns and money believed to be connected to the drug operation. EASTON, Md. The Caroline County Drug Task Force started the investigation by looking into the operation of a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large amount of cocaine, opioids,. All rights reserved. Indictment at District Heights music studio. "There's a lot of money. We are very hopeful that we're going to have a couple leads. Police said a more than three-year investigation led to the arrests of nine people so far and the seizure of enough fentanyl and heroin that could kill everyone on the Eastern Shore. Authorities say Anthony Niles allegedly directed and/or supplied local drug distributors operating in Prince George's County and the surrounding area from at least February 2015 to June 3, 2015. State police said the Caroline County Drug Task Force started investigating information about a large amount of cocaine, opioids, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines in Caroline and Dorchester counties and parts of Delaware. The indictment laid out 116 charges against 15 men and one woman accused of participating in two drug trafficking organizations near a Cantonsville neighborhood where a fatal shooting was reported in February, news outlets reported. Maryland drug bust involving fentanyl, cocaine. Andres Jesus Morales, 30, and Christine Ponce, 27, were charged with four drug-related felonies with the intent to sell a controlled substance, the Riverside district attorneys office announced. "A half-kilogram of fentanyl was taken in and 2.2 kilograms of heroin were taken in," Caroline County State's Attorney Joseph Riley said. The. The Anne Arundel County Police Department said it on Friday arrested . This is the cartels. Howard County police say a neighbor complaint led to a four-month investigation ending in a drug bust worth $200,000. EASTON, Md. Three people were taken into custody in Washington County last week on drug charges involving fentanyl and crack cocaine. "These drugs were not just intended for these three small rural counties," he said. 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