Especially alarming was the amount of fentanyl also seized: 10.4 kilograms (22.9 pounds), enough for millionsliterally millionsof potentially lethal doses. 'DEADLY' DRUGS KEPT OFF STREETS, If we come into your neighborhood and you know we are there, doing our work, then weve failed. With the local supply all but eliminated, the cartels have stepped in to continue feeding Jackson Countys meth addiction. A locked padlock Officers located approximately a quarter-of-a-pound. That steady funding source keeps the Task Force fully equipped and provides the buy money necessary to lure dealers into the detectives undercover operations. Law enforcement investigators were conducting surveillance at Alihodzics residence on Feb. 19, 2019. This requires the Task Force to address drug crime in our neighborhoods, while also helping federal authorities try to dismantle cartels with tentacles that stretch across multiple stands and into other countries. U.S. Drug trafficking Department of Justice Missouri Guns The Department of Justice has announced the arrest of more than two dozen people in connection to an armed and violent. Fax Line:(816) 426-4210. The Task Force has also earned accolades from its law enforcement peers. Find todays top stories on fox4kc.com for Kansas City and all of Kansas and Missouri. Especially alarming was the amount of fentanyl also seized: 10.4 kilograms (22.9 pounds), enough for millions. ), If you are in a cartel, they might drug test you, Cummings says. If you or someone you know is struggling or dealing with a substance abuse crisis, help is available. Throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, the Task Force and other local law enforcement agencies concentrated on shutting down meth labs operating inside the county. According to the Scott City Police Department, officers served a . A lock ( accurate. 400 East 9th Street A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine after leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed Western District of Missouri They can use screen-captures. Andrew B. Lewis, 31, of Licking; Melissa Neal, 39, Licking; and Stephanie M. Hawkins, 35, of Salem, were all arrested in the investigation. Nine individuals, primarily from West Plains, Mo., have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Howell, Greene, and Texas counties. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Nearly all 21st Century drug traffickers use cell phones, and some even arrange deals via Facebook. The Task Force is striving daily to stop these cartels from feeding Jackson Countys meth addictionstill the countys No. If you follow the trail of the drugs were confiscating, you are going to cross paths with operatives for one of these cartels doing business in Jackson Countynot just in Kansas City, but in Blue Springs, Lees Summit, Independence. They also seized 18 firearms from Alihodzics vehicle, including a fully automatic machine gun, two sawed-off shotguns, and a stolen firearm. Updated: Dec 8, 2020 / 03:23 PM CST. The Jackson County Drug Task Force was formed in the mid-1980s to bring together detectives from the countys various police departments and Sheriffs Office to pursue drug dealers across these legal jurisdictions in a coordinated, concentrated and collaborative fashion. Inside the car they found 200 pounds of marijuana, 16 pounds of methamphetamine, five pounds of cocaine and nearly five pounds of what they suspect is fentanyl. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Hollywood appeared before U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on August 24, in Cape Girardeau. . 2020 / 03:23 PM CST. "They pray that their deals go down with no trouble," says Task Force Officer-In-Charge Dan Cummings. Investigators determined, based upon the safety of the individuals inside of the residence, to enter the residence. In a 1997 article, Methamphetamine is still our No. - 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. Friday, March 13, 2020 17 Defendants Indicted for $10 Million Conspiracy to Distribute 1,000 Kilos of Meth KANSAS CITY, Mo. Thats why the Jackson County Drug Task Forces seizure of 3,000 pills stamped as OxyContin but laced with fentanyl almost certainly saved livesand sounded alarms. TEXAS COUNTY, Mo. GREENE COUNTY, Mo. Task Force Officer-In-Charge Dan Cummings believes the meththe largest amount the Task Force has ever recovered at one timewas probably within a day of being distributed for sale throughout the metropolitan area. SCOTT CITY, MO (KFVS) - Illegal drug activity led to the arrest of ten people in Scott City. "In terms of quantity, meth is still our biggest. Of Meth SeizedThe COMBAT-Funded Jackson County Drug Task Force seized 144 pounds of methamphetamine during a recent search of a Kansas City property. The burden of drug overdose impacts families, communities and healthcare systems. If assistance is needed, please call 1-573-751-6400. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Sign up for FOX4 email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Kansas City, MO 64106, Telephone:(816) 426-3122 ", An investigation that the Jackson County Drug Task Force and federal Homeland Security officials initiated more two years ago has culminated in 39 defendants being indicted for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute more than 335 kilograms (738 pounds) of methamphetamine and 22 kilograms (48 pounds) of heroin. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require Ortega to forfeit to the government $10,924 that was seized by law enforcement officers; Hicks to forfeit to the government $20,393 that was seized by law enforcement officers; and Griffin to forfeit $16,078 that was seized by law enforcement officers. A cartel CEO enforces his personnel rules with violenceextreme violence. One Jackson County Drug Task Force detective serves as a liaison to the FBI; meanwhile, a DEA agent has been assigned to the Task Forces officean undisclosed location. Thats just a big fancy way of saying Mexican cartels bringing their drugs across the border, points out Dan Cummings, Officer-In-Charge of the Jackson County Drug Task Force. including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from or in connection with use of the Google Translate Service. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Breaking down drug overdose deaths by drug type can sometimes be complicated as many times more than one drug may be identified, however, most drug overdose deaths (over 70%) do involve opioids. not an endorsement of the product or the results generated and nothing herein should be construed as such an approval or endorsement. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A search warrant was served by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and the CNET Drug Task Force early Wednesday morning at a hotel in Nevada Missouri. Investigators also executed a search warrant at Alihodzics residence and seized additional methamphetamine and firearms. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. MORE, September 24, 2020Drug Task Force Seizes 3,000 Pills Laced With FentanylJust a two milligram dose of fentanyl can be lethal. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Between 2011 and 2018, the Task Force took part in investigations that led to 1,238 federal prosecutors, compared to 568 state cases. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. ST. LOUIS Willie Bernard Hollywood, 42, of Caruthersville, Missouri, was sentenced to 262 months of incarceration on one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. (Even the building is undercover. Vernon County Sheriff Jason Mosher said they had information about the distribution of large quantities of illegal narcotics . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Rodriguez, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Taurus .410-caliber revolver on Jan. 4, 2019. It really is like getting a call from customer service.Among the weapons the Jackson County Drug Task Force has confiscated this spring include a flame thrower, fully automatic pistols and an arsenal of 46 long rifles found in one home. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The Licking Police Department also assisted with the arrests. Neither the State of Missouri nor its employees accept liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the translation or liability for any loss, damage, or other problem, A locked padlock That starts with chasing the tail, luring smaller-time dealers into convert buys and working your way up. All these digital conversations save the Task Forces undercover detectives time writing reports. The transnational organized criminals trafficking drugs in Jackson County 90 years later are no less ruthless. Hollywood appeared beforeU.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on August 24, in Cape Girardeau. 1 problem, stresses Cummings. The drug epidemic affects all genders, races and many age groups in rural and urban Missouri communities. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force. In connection to the investigation, officers have 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 so far. Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers stopped a car and it turned into a big drug bust. The Task Force has also earned accolades from its law enforcement peers. "After a nearly yearlong investigation, our law enforcement partners worked together to take down a significant drug-trafficking organization and reduce the threat of violent crime in our neighborhoods.". ), We had a situation when we wanted to indict 25 people all at once up at the federal courthouse, Cumming says. (KY3) - A drug bust in Texas County, Missouri over the weekend leads to three arrests. Acting Director (He keeps the idol shown here in his office as a souvenir. Ross and Cooper also are each charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. You should not rely on Google Rodriguez also is charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Dan Cummings is proud of the work the Jackson County Drug Task Force has done during his tenure as the Officer-In-Charge, but as a former undercover officer he prefers staying out of camera range. 1 drug problem. MORE, June 4, 2019Jackson County Drug Task Force Changes With The TimesThe Jackson County Drug Task Force is now routinely engaged in joint investigations with federal authorities as they pursue drug supply lines across city limits and county lines, as well as state and international borders. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The suspects also had $7,400 in cash with them. - The Missouri State Highway . ET: This article was updated with additional information. I dont think so., 149% Increase In Overdose Deaths Linked To Fentanyl, Counterfeit PillsWidely Available & More Lethal. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Prescription pills not obtained from a licensed pharmacy are not only illegal to possess, but when taken can also be dangerous. The drug remains a stubborn scourge in southwest Missouri, according to Tim Garrison, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. The Missouri Narcotic Officers Association has named the Jackson County Drug Task Force the Law Enforcement Unit Of The Year four times in the last eight years. Two people from California have been arrested and charged with trafficking after The Missouri State Highway Patrol found 320 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle, according to the Highway Patrol. Theres a good chance those pills might be fakes with potentially fatal side effects. The data displayed here helps to tell the story so everyone interested in the topic can better understand past and current trends. Steve Scott November 27, 2020. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, Dunklin County Sheriffs Department and Kennett Police Department. In addition, some applications and/or services may not work as expected when translated. 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Detectives and other personnel assigned to the Task Force are from these Jackson County law enforcement agencies: The chiefs from these various police departments and the Jackson County Sheriff serve as the Task Forces Executive Team. The indictment also charges various other defendants in the remaining counts with illegally possessing firearms and with possessing and distributing methamphetamine. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice has announced the arrest of more than two dozen people in connection to an armed and violent drug-trafficking organization in Missouri. Idol shown here in his office as a souvenir are each charged with possessing methamphetamine with intent... So., 149 % Increase in overdose Deaths Linked to fentanyl, Counterfeit PillsWidely available & more lethal took in! 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