kentucky drug bust

kentucky drug bust2020/09/28

In California, DEA agents say Jose Prietoran up a significant gambling debt tied to the Sinaloa Cartel once led by legendarykingpin Joaqun "El Chapo" Guzmn. Task Force, authorities . Additionally, according to the criminal complaints, on January 13, 2021, federal and local law enforcement executed multiple search warrants at locations associated with the Watkins DTO in Owensboro, Kentucky. The cartel routinely sent large shipments of meth across the border into California and from there, the Prietos coordinated the distribution across the country. Each defendant is facing up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $1,000,000, three years of released supervision, and having to forfeit any assets used to facilitate the crimes. The police chief said they have found the average cost of a fentanyl pill in Paducah is $25, bringing the total value of the pills to about $200,000. 18, 2021 at 3:51 PM PDT LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Metro Corrections Officers made a large drug bust while doing a home incarceration, or HIP check, which yielded drugs, guns and thousands of dollars in cash. The University of Kentucky College of Public Health released a report earlier in 2022 analyzing the overdose deaths in 2021. He said SWAT teams were used to secure two locations one on Levin Avenue and another on Coronado Court, because of the violent criminal history of some of those involved. 20 arrested in large NKY drug bust; fentanyl, meth, heroin seized. LEXINGTON, Ky. ( WKYT /Gray News) - At least a dozen horses were killed in a barn fire in Lexington, Kentucky Friday morning. somerset-kentucky.com 110-112 E. Mt. OWENSBORO, Ky. (WFIE) - Federal and local authorities announced what they call the largest drug seizure in the history of Owensboro. Mar 29, 2012 ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) -- Police in Hardin County have announced the arrest of nearly two dozen and have issued an arrest warrant for eight other people. When ATF agentsmade an undercover buy from a Greenhill associate inLouisville, they traced a stolen.38-caliber Smith & Wesson Special theDetroit Police Department once issued to one of its officers. OWENSBORO, Ky. An Owensboro Drug Trafficking Organization is behind bars and charged with multiple felonies after being caught with 151 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.5 pounds of counterfeit pills with suspected deadly fentanyl, and other drugs, announced United States Attorney Russell Coleman. He joined the newspaper in September 2021 after previously working with the Anderson News and the Cats Pause. Brandon A. Williamson, 29,walked up behind him, leaned over and pointed a gun at Stepp. Still, the story told by agents, defendants and prosecutors in interviews or court records reveals much about thecriminal enterprise and its deadly operation in Louisville and across the country. Soon the two were tossingdice together at casinos and sharing gourmet meals at upscale restaurants. She put her affairs in order, including signing over custody of her son, and headed to a Tunica casino. But federal prosecutors contended during a bond hearing that he mainly used his auto business to hide his real income from selling drugs. He was "fronting" drugs loaning sometraffickers drugsbefore they paid for them. Drug bust fail: dealer tries to hide 20 heroin bags by swallowing them during police drug bust. As with all the other drugs, meth is sold in bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and on the street. That is 2,391 Kentuckians who died from overdoses in 2021 up from the 2,104 in 2020. Rattled residentsand many officers didnt know at the time of the Feb.1, 2018, shootout in Buechel, Kentucky, that the men inside the pickup were connected to a much largerdrug trafficking organization one that lured violent gangs from Detroit and ordered millions of dollars of methamphetamine fromMexicos infamous Sinaloa Cartel. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served a tour in Iraq, latervolunteering to go back in place of a friend who had a family hardship. A trusted shipper would then deliver the drugs and the Prietoassociate would leave the hotel with the drug payment. In December, a judge sentenced Jose Prieto to serve eight years and one month in federal prison. Somerset police say its one of the largest drug seizures in the departments history. Task Force, authorities conducted a search warrant at a home in Grayson, Kentucky where they found and seized nearly 1,000 doses of fentanyl, cocaine, firearms and more than $8,000 in U.S. currency. An investigation that began in January resulted in the arrest of area drug distributors and their sources of supply. Additionally, investigators said they seized 358 grams of crystal meth, 289 fentanyl pills, 64 grams of fentanyl powder, 4.6 grams of heroin, 11.3 grams of cocaine, 2,248 grams of marijuana, three loaded firearms and more than $11,000 in cash. At that time, DEA agents estimate that amount was worth about $150,000 on the West Coast, but could yield as much as $500,000 in Louisville. But agents say he secretly cultivateda different crop marijuana. February 08, 2022 12:09 PM. Updated: May. 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Baker, 19, of Ohio Street, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), Garrett E. Beach, 26, of Metropolis, Illinois, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives) 2017 possession of burglary tools, Avian M. Costello, 37, of Jack Gray Drive, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), Lavance N. Davenport Sr., 46, of South Sixth Street, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives); On federal probation for distribution of crack cocaine; in 2011 distribution of a controlled substance; in 2011 possession with intent to distribute; in 2008 supervised probation; in 2003 distribution of cocaine; in 2001 first-degree assault; in 2000 trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine); in 2000 carrying a concealed weapon (by a felon), Lavanti N. Davenport, 20, of Levin Avenue, four counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), Enrico G. Fuhr, 28, of North 23rd Street, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), Johnny B. Harmon III, 30, of Park Avenue, three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives); On probation for 2021 Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and 2019 First-degree wanton endangerment, DeTysha L. Laster, 23, of Coronado Court, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), Christopher J. Russell, 37, of Jack Gray Drive, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives); in 2021 fraud (Florida); in 2015 grand theft from dwelling (Florida) , Samuel G. Shocklee, 23, of Calvert City, Kentucky, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl), Cameron Shumpert, 29, of Levin Avenue, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, second or greater offense); in 2019 use of a minor in a sexual performance; in 2019 trafficking in marijuana; in 2019 promoting contraband; in 2017 possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; in 2017 tampering with physical evidence; in 2012 trafficking in a controlled substance, Dorian Q. Shumpert, 31, of Glenwood Drive, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, second or greater offense); in 2018 first-degree promoting contraband; in 2015 trafficking in a controlled substance; in 2011 trafficking in cocaine, Dominick D. Tyler, 19, of Grand Rivers, Kentucky, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), Paul G. West, 25, of Lone Oak Road, two counts of trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, second or greater offense); in 2021 fleeing or evading police; in 2021 fleeing or evading police, in 2021 trafficking in a controlled substance (fentanyl); in 2021 possession of a controlled substance, Michael J. Abbage, 24, of Levin Avenue, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives); on probation for 2021 criminal possession of a forged instrument; in 2015 second-degree robbery, Romeneo L. Beard, 21, of Levin Avenue, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), Michelle L. Cohoon, 45, of Grogan Circle, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl), Lisa D. Collins, 47, of Otis Dinning Drive, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and speeding/10mph over limit, Lavance N. Davenport Jr., 27, of South Sixth Street, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives, second or greater offense); on probation for 2021 first-degree fleeing and evading police; in 2021 second-degree fleeing and evading; in 2021 possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; in 2021 possession of a handgun by a convicted felon; in 2021 receiving stolen property; in 2016 trafficking in marijuana; in 2016 first-degree wanton endangerment; in 2016 tampering with evidence, Channing T. Grentzer, 24, of Stately Vision Lane, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), McKenzie N. Hopkins, 21, of Ledbetter, Kentucky, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives), Xavier R. Mcphee, 34, of Walter Jetton Drive, first-degree possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) and operating on a suspended/revoked operators license, Victor A. Morales-Martinez, 24, of Mayfield, Kentucky, trafficking in a controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives). His sonis serving a sentence of seven years and three months. Every overdose that we respond to gets investigated, especially if it is fentanyl, Laird said. PADUCAH, Ky. (FOX 56) The Paducah Police Department updated the public on a large ongoing fentanyl trafficking investigation on Friday. The case isn't over. Chad Krause, 42, and Mackenzie Wagner, 24, are being held at the Phelps County Jail. Just before 2 p.m. Monday, deputies spotted a woman with an active warrant driving near . Her relatives told reporters she was a loving mom who struggled with addiction, and they had tried to get her help. All are charged with conspiring to distribute oxycodone in Madison, Estill, Clay, and Laurel counties from September 2019 thru March 2022. Anytime we can take this much methamphetamine, fentanyl and firearms off the streets it is huge! Agents wouldn't give names of suspects or reveal the states involved. Police say Wesley Aaron Calhoun and Dennie A. Smith, both from Somerset, are facing charges of conspiracy to distribute, possession with intent to distribute. Bethany Hall, 37, of Stanville; outstanding warrant, possession of marijuana and tampering with physical evidence. Greenhill, 40, teamed with his brother, Jamarr Greenhill, 38, to summongang members from Detroit tocapitalizeon Louisville'saddiction crisis, which handed them a solid customer base. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. This affects every small town; small, medium, and large, Laird said. The Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, spent weeks interviewing agents, prosecutors, defense attorneys and local police and siftingthrough court, police and jail records in four statesto piece together details of thecriminal enterprise and thedestructive swath it cut across the U.S. culminating in arson, a toxic romance,betrayal and deadly revenge. According to the Justice Department, between August 2021 and August 2022, 107,735 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, two-thirds primarily from fentanyl. According to the criminal complaints, between January 6, 2021, and January 11, 2021, Willie Watkins, age 30 of Owensboro, Kentucky coordinated the purchase of approximately 150 pounds of suspected methamphetamine with an unidentified male, located in the Los Angeles, California area, and counterfeit pills containing suspected fentanyl from a source in the Phoenix, Arizona area. They also admitted tomoney laundering due to the evidence unearthed by the DEA andInternal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation. and last updated 8:11 PM, Jul 20, 2022. Based on the evidence obtained from the long term investigation and the search warrants, additional members of the Watkins DTO, including Christopher McNary, age 31 of Owensboro, Kentucky, Richard Cason, age 29 of Owensboro, Kentucky, Keith Watkins, age 28 of Owensboro, Kentucky, and Samuel White, age 27 of Owensboro, Kentucky were also charged in a second criminal complaint with conspiring with each other and others to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. "Make sure you're on the right team.". Several agencies including, the DEA Criminal Diversion Group, the Kentucky. Following the seizure of the narcotics in Oklahoma City, Willie Watkins was charged in a criminal complaint with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Amber Lynn Stepp, 28, and a maleacquaintance drove to a Louisville home on a sunny day May 9, 2016as men tended the grill during a birthday celebration. The Northeast Kentucky Drug Task Force executed a search warrant which led to one of the largest drug busts involving fentanyl in Boyd County History, according to a news release. Other charged individuals include operators of secret labs in Mexico where fentanyl is made, weapons dealers who help the Sinaloa Cartel arm its security, and money launderers who funded the operations. Although individuals in Kentucky struggle with different types of drug abuse, there are many types that are among the most common. 1:13. Please enter valid email address to continue. Hall pepperedBowman'ssilver sedan with bulletsin the 1600 block of South 25th Street. According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a search warrant on Friday, Oct. 29, at the home of Edgar "Eddie" Castle, 53, in Sitka, Kentucky, after authorities were able to "make numerous controlled drug buys" at the home during the investigation. Muskegon police told reporters the number of gunshots indicatedsomeone wanted to senda message. These arrests follow a drug investigation by Kentucky State Police that began 18 months ago. BEAVER DAM, Ky (WEHT) - According to the Ohio County Kentucky Sheriff's Office, on January 25 around 7:52 a.m. members of the Ohio County Sheriff's Office, the Pennyrile Drug Task Force The Paducah Police Department offered thanks to the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Illinois State Police, McCracken County Sheriffs Department, and Kentucky Probation and Parole for their assistance during the investigation. Stepp also said she was scared of an unnamed drug dealer. The DEA Evansville HIDTA Resident Office is committed to working with the Owensboro Police Department and our other federal, state, and local partners to keep our communities safe by investigating and arresting violent drug traffickers. Due to the evidence unearthed by the DEA Criminal Diversion Group, Kentucky!. `` to senda message '' drugs loaning sometraffickers drugsbefore they paid for them loving mom who with... Behind him, leaned over and pointed a gun at Stepp held at Phelps. 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