Updated: Dec. 23, 2016 at 6:51 AM PST. 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. Updated: Dec 8, 2020 / 03:23 PM CST. When it was completed, multiple indictments were made as the case illustrated the reach of Mexican cartels into Jackson County and beyond. MORE, June 11, 2019'Demand' For Meth Remains High In Jackson CountyEach year throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, the Jackson County Drug Task Force and other law enforcement agencies would shut down dozens of meth labssometimes more than 100 labs in a single year. By selecting a language from the Google Translate menu, the user accepts the legal implications of any misinterpretations or differences in the translation. . 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. Francisco Manuel Mata-Martinez, 41, of El Paso, was indicted. The cartels are also concerned about quality control and customer service. Especially alarming was the amount of fentanyl also seized: 10.4 kilograms (22.9 pounds), enough for millions. The drugs, valued at more than $12 million, were hidden in metal containers that were sealed inside four tires. The burden of drug overdose impacts families, communities and healthcare systems. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. 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 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. Hollywood appeared beforeU.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on August 24, in Cape Girardeau. Griffin 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. Fax Line:(816) 426-4210. including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from or in connection with use of the Google Translate Service. Of Meth Seized. 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, It was investigated by the South Central Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Howell County, Mo., Sheriffs Department, the West Plains, Mo., Police Department, and the Mountain View, Mo., Police Department. Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers stopped a car and it turned into a big drug bust. The opioid class of drugs include heroin, fentanyl, methadone, morphine, oxycodone and many other prescription and non-prescription pain relievers. 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. MORE, September 24, 2020Drug Task Force Seizes 3,000 Pills Laced With FentanylJust a two milligram dose of fentanyl can be lethal. Nine large baggies filled with cash, a half-dozen weapons, a bulletproof vest and a police scanner were taken by police "after a lengthy narcotics investigation . If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. The indictment also charges all of the defendants with a related money-laundering conspiracy. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Nothing? Drug bust in Vernon County Missouri. If assistance is needed, please call 1-573-751-6400. Lewis, Neal and Hawkins are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law. The COMBAT-Funded Jackson County Drug Task Force seized 144 pounds of methamphetamine during a recent search of a Kansas City property. Two additional defendants were arrested as part of the investigation but were charged separately in federal indictments. Shirley J. Hicks, 61, Raymon F. Ortega, 63, Benny D. Griffin, 57, Jose I. Gonzales, 37, Jordan W. Gutierrez, 25, and Shaun M. Ross, 39, all of West Plains, Missouri; Fontella J. Noose, 38, of Springfield, Missouri; James E. Cooper, 52, of Mountain View, Missouri; and Luis Ortiz Rodriguez, 36, address unknown, were charged in a 19-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Aug. 20. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri, Nine Southern Missouri Residents Indicted for Meth Conspiracy, KC Man Charged with Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearm After Arrest During Police Standoff, Joplin, Webb City Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking, Illegal Firearms, KC Man Sentenced to 21 Years for Heroin, Cocaine Conspiracy, Nine Southern Missouri Residents Indicted For Meth Conspiracy. Brown, 36, of Leavenworth; and Amy S. Janish, 44, of Lincoln, Missouri. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. Room 5510 Drug task force officers who worked the largest meth bust in Northeast Wisconsin say the drugs came from the Mexico Drug Cartel and were trafficked from Missouri to Wisconsin. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. 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. COMBAT has funded the Jackson County Drug Task Force since voters first approved the Community Backed Anti-Drug/Anti-Crime/Anti-Violence Tax in 1989. I dont think so., 149% Increase In Overdose Deaths Linked To Fentanyl, Counterfeit PillsWidely Available & More Lethal. With the local supply all but eliminated, the cartels have stepped in to continue feeding Jackson Countys meth addiction. We overwhelmed the federal system here in Kansas City.. Missouri ranked 32nd among all states and DC for drug overdose death rates in 2020 and is the #1 leading cause of death among adults age 18-44 in Missouri. They also seized 18 firearms from Alihodzics vehicle, including a fully automatic machine gun, two sawed-off shotguns, and a stolen firearm. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Hollywood was arrested after officers observed him meet with a suspected drug courier in Kennett, Missouri, and found him to be in possession of twenty pounds of methamphetamine. Translate to provide an exact translation of the website. Troopers had stopped a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu for speeding before K-9 officer . (Photo: Hannibal Police Department) Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. One Task Force undercover detective recently was given a stern time-is-money lecture when he arrived at 3:02 for a 3 oclock drug buy. These international cases have had the Task Force working with federal authorities on a regular basis, making the Task Force a logical fit for this initiative targeting drug trafficking organizations that are making the streets of metro Kansas City less safe and more violent. MORE, October 18, 2019Equivalent Of More Than 250,000 'Doses' (144lbs.) Charged Wednesday were 53 year old Harry Foreman and 33 year old Beth Highley with Trafficking Drugs in the second degree, 7 counts of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and other charges. Acting Director William Jones, who leads the police force in Louisiana, Missouri, was charged with second-degree drug trafficking after his girlfriend's brother, Gabriel Thone, 24, was found dead from an. ", 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. 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. AwardsThe Task Forces work was been recognized repeatedly by its peers: For some drug dealers dealing drugs is more than a business. "I don't think anyone was going to sit on that much meth for very long," he said. MORE, July 19, 2019Case Illustrates Cartel Activity In Jackson County & BeyondWhat started off as a seemingly simple casea Kansas City, Kan., undercover police officer asking the Jackson County Drug Task Force with assistance when a drug deal made in Kansas was to be completed in Missouriturns into a months-long investigation involving multiple federal and local agencies. Between 2011 and 2018, the Task Force took part in investigations that led to 1,238 federal prosecutors, compared to 568 state cases. 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. 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. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org page for information or education and linkage to care programs. TEXAS COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) - Two men and a woman face charges following a drug bust in Camdenton. 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. We shouldnt be because a lot of what we do is undercover. Theyre checking up on him.But they are genuinely concerned about us being happy with our purchase. 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. "In terms of quantity, meth is still our biggest. An official website of the United States government. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Now theyre wanting to see if the front-line dealer who sold us the stuff sold as much as he told them he did and for how much money. Investigators also executed a search warrant at Alihodzics residence and seized additional methamphetamine and firearms. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Troopers arrested the suspects, but charges have not yet been filed in the case. Hollywood has a criminal history, which includes convictions for armed robbery and a prior federal conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in 2006. Sign up for FOX4 email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Not every police department has the resources necessary to effectively fight drug-related crimescrimes that know no boundaries, crisscrossing city limits, county lines and state borders. 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. Ortega, Hicks, and Griffin would also be required to forfeit to the government a money judgment representing the proceeds obtained as a result of their participation in the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy. Crime does not stop at the state line and neither does the Strike Force, said Stephen McAllister, the U.S. Attorney for Kansas. Hicks allegedly was in possession of a Rohm .22-caliber revolver, a Lorcin .380-caliber pistol, a Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol, an FMJ .45-caliber derringer, a Jimenez Arms .22-caliber pistol, a Marlin .22-caliber rifle, a Browning 16-gauge shotgun, and a Remington .30-06 caliber rifle on July 24, 2018. According to the DEA, counterfeit pills are widely available and more lethal than ever before. Seizures of phony pills containing fentanyl have increased 420% since 2019. In addition to the criminal conspiracy, Hicks is charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Have a question about Government Services? K-9 Pelle was a very good boy today. Mo. He asks, Should we just give up fighting and trying to make drugs as limited as possible? After a buy, well get follow-up calls from someone higher up in the organization, says Cummings. not an endorsement of the product or the results generated and nothing herein should be construed as such an approval or endorsement. Fax Line:(816) 426-4210. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. Task Force Trying To Stay Ahead Of Drug Cartels Focused On Doing Business In Jackson County. Contact Local Troop Headquarters Information on this site is preliminary information relating to arrests performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Cole County Sheriff's Office said Monday a fifth person was arrested in connection with a Wardsville drug bust that happened on Friday. 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. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. 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. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of several defendants. The suspects also had $7,400 in cash with them. 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. Xiaozheng Liu, 35, and Huanzhi Ye, 51, are charged with first-degree and second-degree trafficking, the delivery of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance. June 22, 2022Investigation Breaks Up Major Cartel Trafficking OperationEnough Fentanyl Seized For Potentially Millions Of Lethal DosesAn 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. % Increase in overdose Deaths Linked to fentanyl, methadone, morphine, oxycodone and many other prescription non-prescription! In cash with them State line and neither does the Strike Force said... Our purchase alarming was the amount of fentanyl also seized: 10.4 (... Only on official, secure websites, well get follow-up calls from someone higher up in the translation in case.: Hannibal Police Department ) Share sensitive information only on official, secure.... 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