The three men were found to be in possession of 714,300 fentanyl pills, 3.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 6 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.6 pounds of heroin, 2 pounds of cocaine, and $17,039. April 19 is when the store's loss prevention team says Moore stole nearly $500 worth of Pokmon cards. In Pinal County, deputies seized 227,000 fentanyl pills from a smuggler's car. PHOENIX - Twenty-two people are facing charges in connection to "conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, or both," says the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Arizona on June 29. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! DEA said the Sinaloa Cartel is responsible . )</p> <p>Don't Trailblaze: Enjoy the Sonoran Desert's beautiful and undeveloped landscape, but please stay on designated trails.</p> <p>Take Responsibility: Don't be "that person" - the one who wasn't prepared, shouldn't have been there for health . Phoenix Police say after pulling over Matthew Hathaway and Rebecca Freyer near Interstate 17 and Bell Road, they served a search warrant and found large quantities of drugs, guns, and ammunition. TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) U.S. agents in southern Arizona said Thursday they seized up to 440 pounds (about 200 kilograms) of what they suspect is a precursor chemical often used to manufacture the. Manuel . The business owner suspected the two had stolen items from him on eight . Legal Statement. "That one bad decision she shouldn't have lost her life over. A search of her car revealed 200 fentanyl pills, 2 grams of methamphetamine and 1 gram of. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Copyright 2023 KTVK/KPHO. KSAZ. In addition to sanctioning the two brothers running the network Ludim Zamudio Lerma and Luis Alfonso Zamudio Lerma the US Treasury also designated four other Mexican nationals and Sinaloa Cartel members as well as six Mexico-based companies, CNN reported Wednesday. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Federal agents and police swept across the region Thursday morning to make arrests in a major drug investigation dubbed "Operation Lake Effect" involving a ring operating in Arizona and distributing fentanyl and other drugs to dealers in Western Pennsylvania and Cleveland. Walther explained that over the past several months, the Scottsdale Police Department in tandem with the Phoenix Field Division of the DEA had opened an investigationrelated to the Sinaloa Cartel and their drug-trafficking activity in the state metro Phoenix,specifically. Just four states New Jersey, Delaware, New Hampshire and South Dakota saw drug overdoses decrease during the 12-month period ending in April. The suspects, Francisco Delgado, 26, and Jose Molina, 21, are now facing multiple drug-related charges. 1:48. 0:04. All rights reserved. Criminal complaints show that the Department of Public Safety began an investigation into a drug and gun supplier in Phoenix, the Lindo Park Crips ("LPC"), a criminal street gang. of meth and other drugs and made 150 arrests. Arizona is a major distribution site of the deadly opioid, with the state accounting for more than half of all fentanyl pills seized by DEA agents nationwide in 2022, FOX 10 reports . The drugs, according to police, hold a street value of over $4.4 million. Two people are now behind bars as a result of the drug bust, which happened near 19th Avenue and Dunlap. There is a concern the violence could go up in the United States or they could even be a response to law enforcement, but that would really be a game changer if that happened, he said. Chino Valley resident Becky Comstock, 39, was pulled over by Yavapai County deputies near Dewey on Monday. TUCSON, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Nogales Commercial Facility seized methamphetamine March 9 from a Mexican national when he attempted to enter the United States through the Port of Nogales. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Marcus Wesley, Rayvontae Hampton, Lancer Williams Jr., Philip Austin, Quincy Davis, Christopher Guy, James Estell, and Terry King, Sr. are also facing charges for being felons carrying a gun. All rights reserved. The Arizona police announced a major drug bust on Thursday, where they seized drugs worth $13 million including 30 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, a highly potent opioid. PHOENIX - As U.S. overdose deaths reach a devastating new height, claiming a new victim every five minutes, the Drug Enforcement Administration has revealed a direct link between fentanyl-related overdose deaths and criminal drug networks in Mexico.These groups are harnessing social media platforms to bring drugs laced with fentanyl and fake prescription pills into American homes with one . I mean its a real Herculean challenge from both sides of the border, said Ioan Grillo, one of the Arizonan officials trying to find ways to take on the Sinaloa cartel. According to police, detectives were tipped off about the pair selling narcotic drugs. Since January, the DEA has seized over 9.5 million pills right in Arizona; 20,000,000 across the U.S., Oz said. So, its a place you bring in drugs from Mexico, from Sonora. But Grillo said the big picture wouldnt do much to stop them. That is a proposed bill making its way through the Arizona legislature right now. The alleged theft of hundreds of dollars worth of Pokmon cards led to the arrests of a man and woman who had drugs in the backseat next to a baby, Prescott Valley authorities say. "It is another example of great police work. Police say a suspected drug dealer was arrested after officers seized fentanyl, meth, psychedelic mushrooms, and guns in north Phoenix. Whats the white residue on the banks of Salt River? The surveillance on April 22 caught the individuals inside a car along with Bender's 7-month-old baby, and because the two had a history of illegal drug possession and inconsistent stories, it prompted a K9 search, according to authorities. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. One pill one time can kill, Oz said, noting that the US had logged more than 100,000 drug overdoses over a 12-month span, a surge of nearly 30 percent over the previous year. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. (Even trained athletes have been caught off guard by getting dehydrated on Arizona trails. The investigation which charged 150 individuals was jointly conducted by the DEA, the Tempe Police, and the Arizona Attorney General, the press release states. "I want people to know that Cheyenne was a vibrant young woman that had her whole entire future ahead of her," Little said. "This is not a recreational drug,this is what is driving our opioid crisis in the United States," Walther said. The Phoenix Police. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Arizona and. CBP Officers discovered more than 600 . All rights reserved. A multi-agency investigation targeting the Sinaloa Drug Cartel. "The Sinaloa Cartel is responsible for nearly all deadly narcotics flooding into Arizona," the press release said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Arizona high school holds second annual drag show, Buckeye woman stung more than 75 times during family photo shoot, first responders say, 12-year-old Arizona soccer player suffers cardiac arrest while at practice, Bryan Kohberger claims he has an alibi, Jerry Springer dead, body found in desert: this week's top stories, What to know about Arizona Humane's waived adoption fees through May 15, Motherly instincts kicks in before woman is stung dozens of times by bees, Arizona family says its 'experienced lifetimes of love' as young soccer player begins to heal. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. By discovering just under 1 million fentanyl pills in an Avondale home this week, the Phoenix Police Department made the single largest fentanyl bust in the agency's history. Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. "This gang is known to distribute fentanyl and other drugs, along with firearms offenses, and other violent crimes," the FBI said. ARIZONA BORDER PORT OF ENTRY NABS OVER 500,000 FENTANYL PILLS IN SINGLE WEEKEND. The operation, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, was looking for precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, a drug about 50 times stronger than heroin. Arizona is a major distribution site of the deadly opioid, with the state accounting for more than half of all fentanyl pills seized by DEA agents nationwide in 2022, FOX 10 reports. Fentanyl, which has really hit the market for us, is what is driving our opioid crisis not just in Arizona, not just in this region, but across the country.. According to police, officers were investigating a person suspected of selling drugs, and after obtaining a search warrant, drugs, weapons, and cash were seized from the suspect's car and apartment in Phoenix. Both suspects were booked into the Maricopa County jail. Let's take a look at some of our biggest, most recent drug busts. Support local journalism. The seized drugs included 4.5 million fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl, 145 pounds of fentanyl powder, 304 pounds of cocaine, 3,100 pounds of methamphetamine, and 77 pounds of heroin, the release stated. The three occupants were arrested for felony and misdemeanor crimes, including possession of fentanyl," says the Scottsdale Police Department in a June 4 tweet. Arizonas Family is working on obtaining court documents connected to the bust. 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Misty Little's 26-year-old daughter was among those who died from fentanyl, not knowing she swallowed a pill laced with the drug. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The news conference comes just hours after the major drug bust was announced at our southern border and along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. Reach breaking news reporterSteven Hernandez at steven.hernandez@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @The_HdzCo. ARIZONA TROOPERS DISCOVER 46 POUNDS OF FENTANYL PILLS DURING TRAFFIC STOP. The Arizona-Mexico border is no exception to the number of deadly drugs making their way over and killing many, and getting even more people in trouble with authorities. All rights reserved. 0:29. In 2022, DEA seized more than double the amount of fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills that it seized in 2021. Grillo mentioned another tactic hes seen in some states is charging dealers with murder if they sell fentanyl to somebody, resulting in death. "We're looking for potential precursor chemicals," said Christian Webster, assistant special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Campaign enforcement includesincreasing public awareness, as well as seizing drugs, money,firearms and arresting traffickers. "Finally, Hampton, Wesley, and Gray face additional charges for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and Hampton faces additional charges for transferring or possessing a machinegun," the news release said. or redistributed. PHOENIX Three men have been arrested after a large drug bust at a Phoenix car dealership. Vincent Cole with Phoenix Police. The DEA. Mexican drug cartels ensure that the elements that go into making fentanyl are shipped separately, making it hard to stop the distribution. The investigation uncovered an individual who they suspected of transporting drugs for the organization. "The investigation targeted numerous LPC members and associates, as well as their drug suppliers. During a recent operation, agents recovered over 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 lbs. Grillo is a longtime journalist in Mexico covering drugs and organized crime. (The Center Square) - Arizona state troopers last week seized enough fentanyl to kill nearly 800,000 people. March 27, 2023 Contact: Phone Number: (571) 387-3831 For Immediate Release Drug Ring Tied to Aryan Prison Gang Indicted With 24 Federal Arrests More Than 1.9 Million Doses of Fentanyl Seized, More Than 225 Guns and Firearm Parts Taken Off the Streets Previous slide Next slide Fentanyl seized Seized firearms and fentanyl Seized narcotics Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- Police say two men were arrested after they, along with the Drug Enforcement Bureau, made their largest fentanyl bust in the city . Mesa Police arrested Raymond Rivera Cabrera, 42, and seized 28,500 fentanyl pills, 7.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 2 grams of cocaine, $3,183 in U.S. currency, and a 9mm handgun. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Phoenix police say it is the single largest fentanyl seizure in the departments history. 2 arrested after 1 million fentanyl pills found, largest bust in Phoenix police history. 'Gotta catch 'em all' | $483 worth of stolen Pokemon cards leads to Arizona drug bust A 26-year-old man was arrested last week after he allegedly stole a bunch of trading cards. The FBI said its Southern Arizona Violent Crime and Gang Task Force served 11 warrants in Pima and Santa Cruz counties on Thursday, Feb. 3. The seizure came as fentanyl continues to be a big problem, fueling . You can call 480-948-6377 or 480-837-8446 . 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. On January 20, the DEA arrested three men believed to be distributing meth as well as pills. Two individuals were arrested Saturday in Prescott Valley for shoplifting nearly $500 worth of Pokmon cards which also led authorities to find an assortment of drug paraphernalia . More than $2 million worth of meth, guns and thousands of dollars were seized in a Phoenix drug bust, the police department says. Agents confiscated more than 100pounds of precursor chemicals from the Tucson home, with some of those chemicals coming from China. The target was a house where suspects possibly tied to fentanyl distribution allegedly operate. The bust took place on Tuesday, and aside from the roughly 360 pounds of fentanyl pills, authorities also confiscated 10 kilos of powdered fentanyl and 1 pound of methamphetamine. TEMPE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) The Tempe Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Arizona Attorney Generals Office announced on Thursday a major drug bust in Arizona that took three years to pull off. We will not stop," DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz said in a statement. Its cross-border operations stretch deep into the United States, reaching states far from the border including Minnesota, Washington State, and Rhode Island, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The drug bust happened as officers were working near 19th Avenue and Dunlap, and learned about a car that was possibly transporting drugs. The CDC reported in July that 93,000 people died of drug overdoses across the US with Arizona seeing a 33% increase over the previous year. Twomilligrams can be fatal in some instances," he said. Arizona and federal law enforcement say they are going after the Sinaloa Cartel following a massive drug bust in Tempe. This is something the department does on a daily basis," said Sgt. A picture of the seized drugs was also released by the authorities. The United States Attorneys Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution. While specific details of the operation werent revealed, authorities staged the scene with displays of the drugs seized. ADOT says nearly 200 pounds of cocaine were found inside a truck. DEA officials say the primary supply source comes from China, but India is also providing fentanyl precursor chemicals to cartels. Drugs and cash have a street value of $13 million, official said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. PHOENIX Four men are facing charges after a large drug bust in the West Valley. Mesa Police seized over 700,000 fentanyl pills along with heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine in what the department says was the largest drug bust in the department's history. Speaking at a Thursday afternoon press conference, law enforcement said investigators have seized more than 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 66 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 138 kilograms of cocaine, 3,100 pounds of methamphetamine, 35 kilograms of hoeing, 49 firearms, and more than $2 million. CBP officers at the . That is a life lost in this country every five minutes every five minutes we lose someone to opioids.. This is death.. On February 7, the Phoenix PD's Mountain View Precinct Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) and the U.S. Drug . Last year DEA Arizona seized over $22 million fentanyl laced fake prescription pills, 500 kilograms of fentanyl powder, over 10,000 pounds of methamphetamine, over 1400 kilograms of cocaine and over 400 pounds of heroin. The search resulted in finding about one pound of marijuana, 8.5 grams of cocaine, nearly three pounds of psilocybin filled chocolate bars as well as a firearm. The massive seizure announced Thursday by Scottsdale police and Drug Enforcement Administration officials had an estimated street value of $9 million and may have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Oz says a lot of the drugs are coming from Mexico. Youre not going to take out the cartel that way, so its a very big challenge, said Grillo. A majority of the 107,500 deaths linked to drug overdoses in the 12 monthsending August 2022 have been caused by fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The Pinal County Sheriff's Office released a dramatic pursuit video that ended in the arrest of three Phoenix residents and the seizure of hundreds of fentanyl pills and guns. Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat the nation has encountered, says the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and that's why it launched National Fentanyl Day, raising awareness of how deadly the drug is. It's coming in through passenger vehicles. More than $2 million worth of meth, guns and thousands of dollars were seized in a Phoenix drug bust, the police department says. The drugs were hidden in large, buffet-style trays of food. Approximately 135 kilos of cocaine, 140 pounds of fentanyl powder, 149 firearms, and $2 million in cash were taken during the investigation. A drug bust last year was hailed as the largest fentanyl bust in U.S. history254 pounds seized at an Arizona border crossing. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized over 2,430 grams of cocaine, 35,000 counterfeit M30 pills suspected to contain fentanyl, 26 grams of methamphetamine, 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, 32 doses of MDMA, 8 Glock Conversion devices, and 17 firearms. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from MON 11:00 AM MST until MON 7:00 PM MST, Western Pima-South Central Pinal-Tohono Oodham Nation, Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise, from MON 11:00 AM MST until MON 8:00 PM MST, Central Deserts, until SUN 5:00 PM MST, Maricopa County, Yuma County, Yuma County, from FRI 11:40 PM MST until TUE 11:30 PM MST, Maricopa County, from MON 9:00 AM MST until MON 11:00 PM MST, Northwest Plateau, Northwest Deserts, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, from SUN 11:59 AM MDT until TUE 12:00 AM MDT, Apache County, $1.25M worth of fentanyl, meth, heroin recovered by authorities in Phoenix, DEA says, 'Fetty Jeff' arrested after police seize fentanyl, meth, mushrooms, guns in north Phoenix drug bust, Murder, Money and the End of Days: The Lori Vallow story, Lori Vallow trial: Full-length audio files from inside the courtroom. A multi-agency investigation targeting the Sinaloa Drug Cartel. We've received your submission. Tucson, Arizona Before dawn on Thursday, Homeland Security agents huddled to brief on a raid in a quiet residential neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona. The. Some 700,000 lives were potentially saved by the historic bust, Oz said. Four out of every 10 pills seized had a lethal dose. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. PHOENIX An multi-agency investigation into a drug trafficking cartel resulted in a record fentanyl seizure in metro Phoenix, authorities said Thursday. Yuma mayor Douglas Nicholls: Open border allows easier entry of drugs, including fentanyl. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Phoenix announced the arrest of Luis Ronaldo Nieblas-Beltran on April 25 who is facing a slew of drug charges and is accused of being involved in a drug trafficking organization. "That is enough to kill half the population in the state of Arizona. The April On Tuesday, three suspects attempted to traffic 10 pounds of meth and. According to police, officers were investigating a person suspected of selling drugs, and after obtaining a search warrant, drugs, weapons, and cash were seized from the suspect's car and apartment in Phoenix. HOGP/AP Images. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The DEA has seized a record 20 million fentanyl pills nationwide this year, including more than 9.5 million in Arizona alone. During the six month investigation, the agents took more than $200,000 worth. An investigation began months earlier when Scottsdale police and DEA officials in Phoenix identified a courier suspected of transporting drugs for the Sinaloa Cartel, the police chief said. The seizures occurred. Yuma, Arizona Mayor Douglas Nicholls on the border crisis and how the Biden administrations open border policies have made it easier for cartels to transport drugs. The sheer amount of fentanyl was likely destined to be distributed locally and nationally, Walther said. FOX 10's Bailey Miller reports. Arecord total of1.7 million fentanyl pills, with a street value of$9 million, was taken off the streets of Arizona as part of a crackdown on drug traffickers by state and federal law enforcement agencies. (Tempe PD). Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Prescott Valley police officers decided to set up surveillance near the home of Tyler Moore, 26, and Brittany Benders, 25, after the business reported on April 19 they had stolen $483.45 worth of Pokmon cards, according to authorities. AZ Central Two people, aged 25 and 26, have reported shoplifting after a local business reported the theft of $483.46 worth of Pokemon cards.The April 19, 2023 theft was just the tip of the iceberg. "The Sinaloa Cartel primarily uses trafficking routes that go through Arizona," said Cheri Oz, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Phoenix Field Division during the press conference. In one case, officers with the Central and Super Street Crimes Unit arrested Jesus Rojas Romero, 36; Alex Ruiz, 20; and Christian Valles Castro, 22. This is a significant bust, but there is a lot of this drug coming across the border. Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. The suspect was not identified and Walther did not clarify if any arrests were made. On Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection found a shipment of the vegetable carrying more than 3.5 million fentanyl pills that have an estimated worth of $21.1 million. The unprecedented trove was found in several stash houses and storage lockers throughout the region. Up to Speed Catch up on the latest news and stories on . Phoenix, Arizona is one of those hubs. Over a two-month span, DEA officials in Phoenix seized 3 million pills, 45 pounds of fentanyl powder, 35 firearms and arrested more than 40 alleged drug traffickers, Oz said. Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. Two men in Arizona were arrested last week after a state trooper conducted a traffic stop and discovered approximately 30,000 fentanyl pills in their vehicle, authorities said Sunday. A Pokemon card thief has been arrested in Prescott Valley, Arizona for stealing trading cards worth about $500. Updated: 8:45 PM MST February 9, 2022 PHOENIX Authorities arrested three people and confiscated $446,000 worth of drugs after a long-term narcotics investigation in Phoenix. Officials said the pills represented 30 million potentially lethal doses. Mesa Police arrested Raymond Rivera Cabrera, 42, and seized 28,500 fentanyl pills, 7.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 2 grams of cocaine, $3,183 in U.S. currency, and a 9mm handgun. Two arrests . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "A number of the defendants are also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl," a news release said. "This investigation is a testament to our strong partnerships, which enable us to gain the necessary advantage over these evil criminal networks.". CNNs Sam Fossum contributed to this report.