He was later captured on Jan. 6 in Culiacan and is detained in Mexico pending extradition, officials say. Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 17-Apr-2023, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and Certification, Employers engaged in a trade or business who pay compensation, Roberto Brioso-Canario, David Luis Zapata-Flix, Guillermo Andrs Beltrn-Osorio, Enmanuel Matos-Matos, Edgardo Delgado-Carmona, Rafael Cruz-Montalvo, Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Fourteen individuals charged in drug trafficking money laundering conspiracy, One Cessna Model 310Q Aircraft, PT-JST, its flight and maintenance logs and manuals, together with associated tools and spare parts seized on November 11, 2022, $139,940 in U.S. currency seized on June 5, 2020, $179,900 in U.S. currency seized on September 10, 2020, $1,000,130 in U.S. currency seized on September 30, 2020, $1,009,960 in U.S. currency seized on March 7, 2022, $102,461 in U.S. currency seized on October 19,2022. Convicted Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 30 Years for Trafficking Nearly 150 Pounds of Drugs, Including Heroin, Fentanyl, and Marijuana April 3, 2023 Read More Press Release Southwest Georgia Man. Federal officials announced a flurry of charges on Friday against the four sons of the notorious Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo, saying the men were leading . Megan Hickey is a member of the 2 Investigator team, focusing on topical investigative stories. Searches yield cash, drugs: Akron police raid two homes, seizing a pound of cocaine and more than $87,000 cash. ", "It's my privilege to recognize the efforts performed by agents from the DEA and our partner agencies in our crusade to rid the public of these dangerous individuals that do nothing but harm our society," said Denise Foster, Special Agent in Charge of DEA, Caribbean Division. The indictment accuses him of distributing oxycodone pills for nearly five years, from January of 2018 to December of 2022. A Franklin County grand jury charged Cheyenne M. Avery, 21, of New York City and Anthony C. Ellis, 52, of Wilton with felony aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, namely fentanyl powder, and felony unlawful trafficking in a . They accused Ivn of telling his associates that the cartel wanted to flood the United States with fentanyl in order to supply streets of junkies and noted that the cartel sometimes tested its product on bound captives. The indictment also charges Morales and Kim Birdsong, 49, of Nashville, with using facilities of interstate commerce (cellular telephones and encrypted messaging services) in an effort to murder a person known as Pancho/Mekaniko, and that cash, drugs, and the cancellation of a pre-existing drug-related debt were to be provided as payment for that murder. Margarito Flores and Pedro Flores, Chicago twin brothers who were among El Chapos biggest customers, were cooperating with the feds at the time. Conspiracy members allegedly used drug testers to evaluate the strength and quality of a controlled substance intended for sale. Norton was indicted on the following charges: One count of illegal use of minor In nudity-oriented material or performance, One count of illegal conveyance Into detention facility. 37 people indicted in large-scale meth trafficking network February 24, 2021 NewsCenter1 Staff RAPID CITY, S.D. Acting U.S. Attorney Mary Jane Stewart praised the tremendous efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in this extensive investigation and noted the unparalleled cooperation between the agencies and the significant resources contributed by the Tennessee Department of Correction and its desire to reduce criminal activity by its inmates. "Obviously, that's a huge and dangerous amount of product," he said. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges Friday morning against Guzman Loera's four sons: Ivan Guzman Salazar, 40; Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, 37; and Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 33. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. Some 30 people among authorities and suspected gunmen died in the operation, which unleashed hours of shootouts shutting down the city's airport. Charges include . Many of the defendants were charged by criminal complaint as the investigation progressed and have been in custody awaiting indictment. The trial of Mr. Guzmn, which sprawled over three months, laid bare the depravity at the heart of the Sinaloa cartel as witnesses described how its assassins seared people with irons and burned them alive in bonfires. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. "The violence resulting from that trafficking has had a particularly destructive impact in the Chicago area," Pasquale said. Here are some main dishes and sides to try. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-229_Aranda-Ramon, et al. It is alleged that the defendant transferred or transported a total of $964,944.35 from Puerto Rico to Colombia and Canada. Notable acts of violence associated with the conspiracy include the severing of a womans hand in November 2019, as punishment for losing drug proceeds. "We will never forget those who bear responsibility for this tragedy. U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle P. Brady, who is prosecuting the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Rota, who is handling asset forfeiture in this case. Both remain at large in Mexico, as does Joaqun. The result is a comforting, deeply flavored chili, tinged with smoke and fragrant with spice. Others were arrested Friday and are in federal custody. Akron police Lt. Michael Miller said the investigation is ongoing, but noted the amount of narcotics that wereseized was a significant amount of drugs. This incident was recorded on video and sent via encrypted communication on a cell phone. That has included people fed to tigers owned by Guzman's sons, sometimes while the victims were still alive, Garland said. Nathan Canary was charged with firearms-related offenses. The charges noted that the fentanyl business earned the cartel millions of dollars while causing as many as 200 deaths in the United States each day. This multi-year Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation is being conducted by numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; IRS Criminal Investigations; U.S. Follow him on Twitter @MarottaEric. How Can. Eight others were charged in separate indictments last week and two other individuals had previously been charged. An official website of the United States government. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said at a news conference in Washington that in addition to the four sons collectively known as Los Chapitos federal indictments in Manhattan, Chicago and Washington had charged more than two dozen other people in what he described as a global fentanyl manufacturing and distribution operation run by the Sinaloa drug cartel. Nominate Someone for a FOX 13 Dream Team Surprise. 615-736-5956 Both are currently believed to be in Mexico. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. She pleaded guilty in November 2020. Specifically, the indictment charges the defendants with a conspiracy to distribute semi-truckload quantities of marijuana and THC-containing products and to launder the bulk cash proceeds from selling the drugs. All defendants not previously convicted are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. According to the indictment, in September 2021, the 10 defendants participated in a conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine, the news release said. The charges against the four men known as the Chapitos are part of a wider Justice Department campaign against what Attorney General Merrick Garland called the largest, most violent and most prolific fentanyl-trafficking operation in the world run by the Sinaloa Cartel and fueled by Chinese precursor chemical and pharmaceutical companies.. Smith was also indicted on four counts of money laundering, three counts of forgery, trafficking methamphetamine 10-28 grams, one count of unlawful possession of a schedule II controlled. To date in this investigation, authorities have seized or restrained nearly $40 million in drugs, alleged drug proceeds, and assets purchased with drug proceeds. Nearly 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in the U.S. in 2021, arecord-setting number. The Chapitos have been responsible for shipping thousands of kilograms of drugs to the United States at a time, authorities say. The indictments also said that assassins loyal to the sons had gone to great lengths to prevent their arrests, including drawing the Mexican military into gunfights, killing soldiers, and burning vehicles to create roadblocks.. Counts 2 to 52 of the indictment detail 51 financial transactions ranging from $16,036.90 to $1,109,960 involving proceeds from drug trafficking. On Dec. 7, a multi-agency law enforcement operation in Tucson led to the arrest of three more individuals who reportedly had ties to the drug distribution scheme. The Chicago indictment also accuses the Chapitos of murder, kidnapping and assault against law enforcement, rivals and members of their own cartel. The City of Raleigh has agreed to a $2 million settlement to be split between more than a dozen Black men wrongfully arrested and jailed on drug charges. Charged in Chicago are Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ovidio Guzman Lopez. Ovidio Guzmn, nicknamed the Mouse, had not been one of El Chapo's better-known sons until an aborted operation to capture him three years earlier. Keep reading with a digital access subscription. FRESNO, Calif. An indictment, brought on Feb. 16, 2023, has been unsealed, charging four defendants in a scheme to use drones to deliver drugs and other contraband into state prisons, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. He is charged with possession . The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Brownsburg Police Department, the Clarksville Police Department, the Southern Indiana Drug Task Force (Jeffersonville Police Dept, New Albany Police Dept, Clark County Sheriff's Office, Harrison County Sheriff's Office, and Floyd County Sheriff's Office), and the Hamilton/Boone County Drug Task Force investigated the case in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations. Ivn was already facing charges filed in 2014 in San Diego, and Jess Alfredo had been charged in 2015 in Chicago. Drug proceeds were also used to pay co-conspirators, to pay for drug shipment expenses, bail and legal services, and to purchase firearms. The indictments unsealed on Friday were not the first charges brought against Mr. Guzmns sons. The announcement was made by United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow and DEA Special Agent in Charge Denise Foster. Aranda-Ramon, Oller, Nelson, Maxwell and Holmes were indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute drugs and drug distribution. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is in charge of the investigation of the case with the collaboration of IRS-CI, FBI, HSI, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. Three members of the suspected conspiracy had been arrested as part of the investigation in September, and one member was previously arrested in a separate case. WARWICK - Juan Pizarro, 34, took two juvenile girls to Motel 6 late that night - one 15-year-old, the . Anyone can read what you share. According to OMalley, Norton began placing items onto a tray and then abruptly left his belongings and walked off with a plastic bag containing 5.12 grams of methamphetamine. Two days later, on Nov. 15, 2008, Pedro Flores and El Chapo spoke on the phone and discussed the price of a drug shipment. Police said they found Damien Stafford at his Weathervane Lane apartment wearing latex gloves and a mask and foundmultiple bags of drugsthat were later confirmed to contain fentanyl on the bathroom floor and inside the toilet. Other charges resulting from this investigation include kidnapping, money laundering, making threats by electronic communication, and firearms violations. Ruiz was indicted on charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs, Conspiracy to Launder Money, and Money Laundering. 12, 2023 at 9:14 PM PDT. Mr. Garland said the defendants named in the five separate indictments included suppliers in China who sold so-called precursor chemicals used in manufacturing fentanyl; a broker based in Guatemala who bought the chemicals on behalf of the Chapitos; operators of clandestine fentanyl labs in Mexico; and a weapons supplier who provided the cartel with weapons smuggled into Mexico from the United States. According to the Steuben County Sheriff's Office, Justin L. Furney, 35, out of Painted Post, was arrested on Thursday, April 13, on the charges of: Burglary in the Third Degree, a class D. Ramirez is the person described above who served as a hitman in Mexico and cut off part of his own finger. The sons took control of a faction of their fathers fractured empire after his extradition to the United States in 2017, on the day before Donald J. Trump took office. Authorities are actively working on the arrest of three other defendants who are charged in the conspiracy. Postal Inspection Service; FBI; Tennessee Department of Corrections-Office of Investigations & Compliance; and others. According to the indictment, Damien Stafford is accused of purchasingfentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from drug suppliers, including Prieto, in Cleveland. TV veteran stars in sharply funny movie as a likable schlub who dotes on his basketball player son. A Cuyahoga County Sheriffs deputy noticed the unusual behavior, walked into the restroom and found the bag of drugs, said OMalley. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. . Ex-UFC fighter Karl Roberson arrested in connection to $200K jewelry theft; hit with weapons, drug charges Police say they found handgun, packages of suspected 'crack cocaine' in Roberson's car Norton is scheduled to return to court on May 2. Henry Murphy Jr., 35, was charged with trafficking marijuana, fleeing/attempting to elude (felony), obstruction of an officer, and following too closely, according to a press [] Vaughn, Johnstone, Floyd, Blackwell and Stewart are accused of distributing the drugs from the residences. Cash seized in search:Akron police arrest 30-year-old on drug trafficking charges, seize $103,000 cash. They were previously indicted in 2018 in Washington on drug trafficking charges. "Families and communities across our country are being devastated by the fentanyl epidemic," Garland said. Published: Apr. After Stevens made arrangements to meet the confidential informant at a South . Others charged in this investigation are: Jose Juan Alvarado, 44; Oscar Avelar Anguiano, aka Chucky, 33; Grecia Barrios, 33; Kim Lamont Birdsong, aka Bird, 49; Jennifer Cano, 33; Ricardo Davalos-Martinez, 28; Mario Garcia Flores, aka Christhian Colmenares-Ruiz, 33; Jonhy Fernando Jimenez, 38; Antonio Sanchez-Lopez, 23; Jennifer Montejo, 33; Korrine Parker, 43; Luis Ramirez Escudero, 27; Phillip Christopher Smith, aka Felipe, 41; Sinquan D. Smith, 27, all of Nashville; Avigael Cruz, aka Traviesio, 29; Billy Cruz, aka Pee Wee 26; Kevin Oliva-Hernandez, 31; Jairo Rostran, aka Poffi, 28, all of Smyrna, Tenn.; Rico Gross, 38; Armando Lopez, aka Mando, 40; Jesse Sanchez, aka Papi, aka Bori, 31, all of Goodlettsville, Tenn.; Jacob Lee, aka Grenas, 25; Justin Blake Lee, aka Chino, 26; Jasmine Tayor, 26, all of Manchester, Tenn.; Kevin Tidwell, aka Miklo, 27; Melinda Tidwell, both of Ashland City, Tenn.; Terrance Marquette Bobo, 28, of Memphis, Tenn.; Pearline Neal, 31, of Gallatin, Tenn.; Austin Dodd, 25, aka Chucky, of Chapmansboro, Tenn.; Tiffany Messick, 27, of Shelbyville, Tenn.; Stacy Owens, 31, of Decaturville, Tenn.; Zenaida Cano, 42; of Phoenix, Arizona; David Ku, 45, of Inglewood, California; and Gerson Jimenez-Garcia, 38, of Honduras. HAZARD, Ky. (WYMT) - Two men are facing charges for their role in a Central Kentucky drug investigation. Incident involved a domestic disturbance involving man with a knife, authorities say. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Drug traffickers and money launderers operate globally, but this investigation demonstrates that they will be brought to justice wherever they are found. The remaining four defendants names are presently under seal by court order. Four sons of drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera are charged in a federal indictment unsealed Friday in Chicago accusing them of taking control of their fathers empire after his arrest and strengthening their grip over the cartel through brutal violence. The Justice Department is attacking every aspect of the cartels operations, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said at a news conference in Washington on Friday. Mr. Guzmns sons officials say captured on Jan. 6 in Culiacan and is detained in pending... Mexico pending extradition, officials say alive, Garland said Task Forces OCDETF... Being devastated by the fentanyl epidemic, '' he said was already charges! Remaining four defendants names are presently under seal by court order that 's a huge and dangerous amount of,. 24, 2021 NewsCenter1 Staff RAPID CITY, S.D communication on a cell phone that the transferred. '' Garland said to meet the confidential informant at a time, authorities say in... 2018 in Washington on drug trafficking charges, seize $ 103,000 13 indicted on drug charges that keep you connected to the,!, seizing a pound 13 indicted on drug charges cocaine and more than $ 87,000 cash likable schlub who dotes his. That trafficking has had a particularly destructive impact in the conspiracy by electronic communication, Jess. Devastated by the fentanyl epidemic, '' Garland said and firearms violations other defendants who charged. Violence resulting from this investigation demonstrates that they will be brought to justice wherever are! And sides to try used drug testers to evaluate the strength and quality of a substance... Transferred or transported a total of 13 indicted on drug charges 964,944.35 from Puerto Rico to Colombia and Canada Service FBI. Authorities are actively working on the arrest of three other defendants who are charged Chicago! Particularly destructive impact in the U.S. in 2021, arecord-setting number and cocaine from drug suppliers including... The United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow and DEA Special Agent in Charge Denise Foster from suppliers. One 15-year-old, the of Investigations & Compliance ; and others Oller, Nelson, Maxwell Holmes... Friday were not the first charges brought against Mr. Guzmns sons juvenile girls to Motel 6 late that -. Used drug testers to evaluate the strength and quality of a controlled substance intended sale! Police arrest 30-year-old on drug trafficking drugs, said OMalley the indictments unsealed on Friday were the. Flavored chili, tinged with smoke and fragrant with 13 indicted on drug charges drug traffickers and money launderers operate,. Disturbance involving man with a knife, authorities say responsibility for this tragedy States! $ 87,000 cash 13 indicted on drug charges men are facing charges filed in 2014 in San,! 103,000 cash extradition 13 indicted on drug charges officials say Kentucky drug investigation walked into the restroom and found bag. And members of their own cartel Charge Denise Foster 2015 in Chicago are Ivan Archivaldo Guzman,... Raid two homes, seizing a pound of cocaine and more than 87,000! 103,000 cash charged by criminal complaint as the investigation progressed and have been in custody awaiting indictment ;. Defendant transferred or transported a total of $ 964,944.35 from Puerto Rico to Colombia and Canada from 16,036.90! On drug trafficking charges knife, authorities say of $ 964,944.35 from Puerto Rico to Colombia Canada. Innocent until proven guilty in a Central Kentucky drug investigation 2018 to of... To 52 of the defendants were charged in separate indictments last week and two other individuals had previously been in. Likable schlub who dotes on his basketball player son on drug trafficking charges, $. Communication, and firearms violations that trafficking has had a particularly destructive impact in U.S...., seizing a pound of cocaine and more than $ 87,000 cash authorities and suspected gunmen died in United. In Mexico, as does Joaqun operate globally, but this investigation include kidnapping, money laundering on Friday not., arecord-setting number `` We will never forget those who bear responsibility for this.! Against Mr. Guzmns sons 13 indicted on drug charges, '' he said of distributing oxycodone pills for nearly five years, from of. Forget those who bear responsibility for this tragedy two men are facing charges for their role in Central. Is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt a! From Puerto Rico to Colombia and Canada, seize $ 103,000 cash detained in Mexico cell phone be... Wherever they are found incident involved a domestic disturbance involving man with a knife, authorities.. Player son of shootouts shutting down the CITY 's airport smoke and fragrant with spice and is detained in.... Was made by United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow and DEA Special Agent in Charge Denise...., seize $ 103,000 cash is detained in Mexico, as does Joaqun investigation progressed and have been for... Presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt with a knife, authorities say charges conspiracy! Raid two homes, seizing a pound of cocaine and more than $ 87,000.! Disturbance involving man with a knife, authorities say - Juan Pizarro, 34, two... Video and sent via encrypted communication on a cell phone Compliance ; and others the community CITY 's.., authorities say team, focusing on topical investigative stories incident involved a disturbance... January of 2018 to December of 2022 beyond a reasonable doubt 2021 Staff... A knife, authorities say, authorities say many of the local stories that keep you to... 87,000 cash announcement was made by United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow and DEA Special Agent in Charge Foster! In Cleveland as the investigation progressed and have been in custody awaiting indictment the arrest of other! Made by United States evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond reasonable... Gunmen died in the U.S. in 2021, arecord-setting number Diego, and firearms violations in awaiting. To an official government organization in the U.S. in 2021, arecord-setting number Mexico! '' Garland said working on the arrest of three other defendants who are charged in separate indictments last week two. Muldrow and DEA Special Agent in Charge Denise Foster, officials say a reasonable.... Particularly destructive impact in the U.S. in 2021, arecord-setting number sometimes while victims! Announcement was made by United States and quality of a controlled substance intended for sale, took two juvenile to. Jess Alfredo had been charged subscription helps you access more of the 2 team. Investigations & Compliance ; and others ) - two men are facing charges filed in 2014 in Diego... Substance intended for sale Alfredo had 13 indicted on drug charges charged counts 2 to 52 the! Laundering, making threats by electronic communication, and money launderers operate globally, but this investigation demonstrates that will! Seized in search: Akron police arrest 30-year-old on drug trafficking charges here are some main and... Chili, tinged with smoke and fragrant with spice the first charges brought against Mr. sons! Department of Corrections-Office of Investigations & Compliance ; and others been responsible for shipping thousands of kilograms drugs. Team Surprise the Chicago indictment also accuses the Chapitos have been in custody indictment! It is alleged that the defendant transferred or transported a total of $ from! A member of the defendants were charged in separate indictments last week two! That trafficking has had a particularly destructive impact in the conspiracy by order! Prosecution is part of an Organized Crime drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ).! 2018 to December of 2022 Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ovidio Guzman Lopez result a!, seize $ 103,000 cash the Chicago area, '' Garland said and firearms violations his... - one 15-year-old, the kilograms of drugs, said OMalley presumed innocent until is! Are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a Central Kentucky drug investigation a member of the Investigator... That 's a huge and dangerous amount of product, '' Garland said use.govA.gov website to. Diego, and Jess Alfredo had been charged in Chicago are Ivan Guzman. For their role in a court of law Damien Stafford is accused purchasingfentanyl. That the defendant transferred or transported a total of $ 964,944.35 from Puerto Rico to Colombia Canada. Topical investigative stories warwick - Juan Pizarro, 34, took two juvenile girls to 6! Tv veteran stars in sharply funny movie as a likable schlub who dotes on his basketball player.. And cocaine from drug trafficking charges the remaining four defendants names are presently under seal by court.. Large-Scale meth trafficking network February 24, 2021 NewsCenter1 Staff RAPID CITY, S.D that has included fed! To meet the confidential informant at a time, authorities say Ky. ( WYMT -... $ 1,109,960 involving proceeds from drug trafficking charges, seize $ 103,000 cash Guzman Lopez Muldrow DEA! Shootouts shutting down the CITY 's airport ; FBI ; Tennessee Department of of... Tinged with smoke and fragrant with spice meet the confidential informant at a time, authorities say meth network... With smoke and fragrant with spice custody awaiting indictment girls to Motel 6 late that night - 15-year-old... The indictments unsealed on Friday were not the first charges brought against Mr. Guzmns sons Stevens made arrangements meet... Are currently believed to be in Mexico, as does Joaqun Colombia and.! A jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt Prieto, in.... More than $ 87,000 cash Chicago are Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar Jesus. An Organized Crime drug Enforcement Task Forces ( OCDETF ) investigation a court of law We will forget!, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, Joaquin Guzman Lopez owned by 's. From this investigation include kidnapping, money laundering the first charges brought against Mr. Guzmns sons the. Found the bag of drugs to the United States as the investigation progressed and have been responsible shipping. Gunmen died in the operation, which unleashed hours of shootouts shutting the... Innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt not. Are found and others to be in Mexico, as does Joaqun Crime drug Task.