Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a press conference on Oct. 22, If you dont stop this, you are helping kill a lot of kids and a lot of people in this country that shouldnt die.. WebInvestigators called the case Prison Empire and said they have seized 44 pounds of methamphetamine, 11 pounds of heroin and 3 pounds of cocaine, as well as 82 firearms. All Rights Reserved. Read more about the program here. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Copyright 2023 WTVD-TV. David Larson contributed to this article. Detectives seized 22 pounds of fentanyl with an estimated street value of approximately $2,665,000, the sheriffs office said. In June 2020, a joint investigation into a large-scale meth trafficking organization was initiated in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina by North Wilkesboro Police Department, Wilkesboro Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. Poppy Bust: $500,000,000 In Plants Destroyed, 'Dropping Like Flies': Heroin Epidemic Takes Hold of PA County. Kentucky pulled off its largest prescription drug bust ever in November 2009, issuing felony arrest warrants for 518 people and arresting 322 over the course of two days in 34 counties across the state. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. bond was set at $2 million on the combined charges, Support my work with a digital subscription, EPA reviewing much-criticized water pollution rules for industrial-sized CAFO farms, Chatham County housing authority director arrested, accused of $200,000+ in wire fraud, Alligator living at Walmart in NC stirs debate, as many demand it be allowed to stay, 2 popular chain restaurants get B grades: Triangle sanitation scores (Feb. 28). Patricia Drewes, who is part of Lost Voices of Fentanyl and the organizer of Forgotten Victims of North Carolina,told Carolina Journal on Sept. 19that about 700 marched from the National Mall to the White House. All rights reserved. WebThe Lincoln, North Carolina, Sheriffs Office called it the largest drug bust ever in the county, after more than 100 pounds of cocaine was seized Wednesday. ", Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. WebASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Buncombe Countys history. TheDrug Enforcement Administrationhas been warning the public in recent months of rainbow fentanyl.. "It's affecting every community in our area," Sheriff Keith Stone said. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office announced the largest methamphetamine seizure in the county's history Friday. The Lincoln, North Carolina, Sheriffs Office called it the largest drug bust ever in the county, after more than 100 pounds of cocaine was seized Wednesday. The Asheville Police Department The campuses News / Feb 27, 2023 / 05:07 PM EST. WebA North Carolina sheriffs deputy investigating a complaint stumbled across an opium poppy field worth an estimated $500 million, officials said. Both Castro and Luna were charged with two counts of Level 3 trafficking opium, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver opium, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. It is a perfect example of local, state and federal resources working together to provide safe communities for our residents. WebASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Buncombe Countys history. A tip leads to one of Nash County's biggest heroin busts. WebA tip leads to one of Nash County's biggest heroin busts. WebSOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) - Law enforcement officials arrested seven people, and confiscated two kilograms of cocaine, 20,000 bags of heroin, $180,000 in cash, and multiple firearms as part of a large-scale, multi-agency drug bust in Florida officials announced the arrests on Oct. 22. Cody Xiong, 37, was arrested at the farm Tuesday and charged with two felonies manufacturing a Schedule II drug and trafficking in opium, police said. Her son actually overdosed and died in January. Authorities arrested Billy Ray Johnson of Nashville during a traffic stop off I-95 in Halifax County after receiving a tip that he was trafficking heroin. The police department said one kilogram of fentanyl potentially could kill 500,000 people, according to the DEA, and Thursdays drug bust produced 1.25 kilograms of the suspected drug. ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- A traffic stop early Thursday on I-95 southbound resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in Nash County history. (Forsyth County Sheriff's Office). Then she checked NC ticket, 74,000 & growing: Some NC police departments stockpile guns rather than release them. WebFederal authorities have broken up a massive drug trafficking ring that supplied cocaine and marijuana to college students across North Carolina, leading to nearly two dozens For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Police: Drug dealer arrested with enough fentanyl to kill 625K people, N.C. Logan faces several charges in the arrest that include possession with intent to sell or deliver fentanyl and methamphetamine and tracking in opium or heroin by possession. The Nash County Sheriffs Office said it happened Thursday when deputies Castro Solache is in the country illegally and has a Border Patrol hold in the Polk County Jail. The plants, which are used to make opium, morphine and heroin, were found on an acre of land near the town of Claremont, some 40 miles north of Charlotte. Roy Cooper and NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser announced Thursday that 249 infrastructure projects in 80 communities across North Carolina would receive $462.9 million to aid in cleaner drinking water and strengthen wastewater and stormwater systems. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 1. Officers arrested Jonathan Duwyane Schultz, 36, of Winston-Salem, and he was charged with. Environmental groups have called for updates to the rules, which use rainfall levels from 1961 to calculate when pollution is permitted. This is a significant drug arrest which removes a large amount of this deadly drug from our streets, much in thanks to the support we receive from the community sharing your tips.. What began with a traffic stop turned into something bigger. INVESTIGATORS OFFICERS ARRESTED ONE SEBASTIAN IN JUNE NORTH WILKESBORO POLICE SAY THAT LUCIA A VILLA AND ADRIANA GOMEZ ARE ALSO FACING CHARGES NOW INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY FOUND OVER 220 POUNDS OF METH DETECTIVES ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THIS MAN HERE ON YOUR SCREEN THIRTY-YEAR-OLD JORGE GOMEZ AND GOMEZ RATHER AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE HE IS IS EXPECTED TO CALL THE SHERIFFS COUNTY AND S, Four people have been charged in one of the largest drug seizure investigations in North Carolina, according to North Wilkesboro police.Investigators said the $2 million meth trafficking investigation initiated by the North Wilkesboro Police Department started in June, and involved the Wilkesboro Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who refuse to be positive contributors to society and bring them to justice. Luis Angel Ventura Castro, 21, and Omar Garcia Luna, 20, were arrested after authorities found 517 grams of uncut fentanyl inside their vehicle with a street value of $258,000. Published: Apr. "All total investigators removed and seized over 2,000 pounds of opium poppy plants found growing on the property along with multiple firearms and ammunition," the Catawba County Sheriff's Office said in a statement to NBC News. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Buncombe Countys history. And there behind the house, was row after row of poppy plants. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. "If you sell heroin, you are committing murder and we will do everything we can to catch you," Stone said. All Rights Reserved. Published: Apr. The estimated value of the drugs is $6.4 million, the Sheriffs Office said in the release. They are currently being held in the Stanly County Jail under a $1 million bond and are scheduled to be in court today. He's being held on a $500,000 bond. One variable in the equation will keep the economic progress engine moving forward or stop it in its tracks: affordable, reliable energy. Officers say that they seized the following at the Nicholson Road residence: Police say the street value of the drugs seized during the course of this investigation is around $3.6 million. The investigation continued, and on Friday, North Wilkesboro police conducted a traffic stop as part of the investigation. The 33-year-old was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. After receiving information about Logans involvement in drug sales in Asheville, including tips from the Tip411 app, our officers were able to use that information to make the arrest, said Asheville Police Department Chief David Zack. Lucia Carbajal Avila, 31, has been charged with two counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine, Conspiring to Traffic Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Residence for Selling Methamphetamine, Possession with intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine and Misdemeanor Child Abuse. WebROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- A traffic stop early Thursday on I-95 southbound resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in Nash County history. "The total weight of the methamphetamine seized is over 220 pounds and has a street value of over $2 million. Enough fentanyl to kill nearly 3 million people was seized in two separate drug busts with connections to North Carolina this past month. WebNASH COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - A sheriffs office is detailing one of the largest drug seizures in its history. He entered the U.S. sometime after May, according to the news release. A news release said that one of the buys had two kilos of fentanyl concealed in a Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal box, and the remaining three kilos were concealed in a yellow igloo cooler. The 33-year-old was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. The agencies part of the joint investigation included North Wilkesboro PD, Wilkesboro PD, Boone PD, Mooresville PD, Jonesville PD, Alexander County Sheriffs Office, Ashe County Sheriffs Office, Surry County Sheriffs Office, Watauga County Sheriffs Office, Wilkes County Sheriffs Office, Yadkin County Sheriffs Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. Undoubtedly this will save many lives and countless families from heartbreak. After receiving information about Logans involvement in drug sales in Asheville, including tips from the Tip411 app, our officers were able to use that information to make the arrest, said Asheville Police Department Chief David Zack. The fentanyl crisis is at anall-time high, with the southern border crisis intensifying since the Biden Administration took office in 2021. Man with long criminal record served with financial crime charges in Rowan Co. TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Man with long criminal record served with financial crime charges in Rowan Co. Crime Stoppers: Police working to identify people who burglarized Selwyn Pub, How gas prices have changed in Charlotte in the last week, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Alien pod on Outer Banks tree looks and feels like hair, park says. The Asheville Police Department reported it arrested Jonathan Maurice Logan, Jr., 33, on Thursday and seized 2.76 pounds of suspected fentanyl. Market data provided by Factset. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. These are large scale drug traffickers who we believe are responsible for the distribution of hundreds of kilos of methamphetamine in our communities over the last year. "After conferring with the NC SBI in Raleigh it is believed that this is the largest amount of methamphetamine ever seized in the Western District and is one of the largest seizures ever in North Carolina," North Wilkesboro Police Chief Joe Rankin said. On Thursday of last week, the Rowan Sheriffs Office, with help from the US Department of Homeland Security, arrested two people on charges that they were trafficking Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Bill would get rid of the Democratic Party in Fla. Masked Proud Boys spark petition to NC sheriff, Robinson: NC is destination state for death, US warns China not to supply weapons to Russia, Thomas Martens, Molly Corbett trial moved to Forsyth, Some fear Nazi banners, power grid attack connected, Video about NC substation attack shared in Md plot, FBI offering $25k for info for NC substation attacks, NC bill would make substation attacks felony, Arrest warrants issued for projected NFL draft pick, Panthers to meet with QB Derek Carr: Sources, Whats coming to NC in Mar.? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Officers searched the vehicle and found marijuana in the passenger area and three large bundles of methamphetamine wrapped in plastic hidden inside the vehicle. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. In June 2020, a joint Ackeem Ricardo Baker, left, and Xiomara E. Oyola. All rights reserved. Asheboro THIS INVESTIGATION WAS A COLLABORATION OF LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL. Thestatehas given WakeMed preliminary approval to build a newhospitalin Garner and a newmental health hospitalin Knightdale. Rodriguez was taken into custody by the Manatee County Sheriffs Office on a Polk County warrant for trafficking in fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, possession of a vehicle for drug trafficking, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of drug paraphernalia. More than 100 kilos of meth, worth $2M seized in N.C. drug bust, N.C. 2, 2022 at 2:25 PM PDT. Police said in June, Juan Sebastian, 55, of North Wilkesboro, was arrested with 2 kilograms of meth. The Asheville Police Department reported it arrested Jonathan Maurice Logan, Jr., 33, on Thursday and seized 2.76 pounds of Police said 100 kilograms of meth were seized from the vehicle and an additional 6 kilograms and several weapons were seized as part of a search warrant at a residence in Wilkes County.Sebastian is charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, two counts of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, two counts of maintaining a residence/vehicle for selling methamphetamine, and possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine.Lucia Avila, 31, of North Wilkesboro, is charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, maintaining a residence for selling methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and misdemeanor child abuse.Adrianna Gomez, 32, of Mount Airy, is charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle for selling methamphetamine, and possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine.Authorities are still actively searching for Jorge Gomez, 30, in connection with the investigation.Gomez is a federal fugitive and we are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Surry County Sheriff's Office, North Wilkesboro Police Department, the NC State Bureau of Investigation or the Department of Homeland Security. Detectives seized 22 pounds of fentanyl worth more than $2.6 million. The event was organized by a group called Lost Voices of Fentanyl, and among those gathered were about 20 members of the Forgotten Victims of North Carolina, a state-based grassroots group of mostly mothers whose children were lost to fentanyl poisoning. The release continued by saying Rodriguez warned the undercover detectives to be careful or they might overdose. Web"After conferring with the NC SBI in Raleigh it is believed that this is the largest amount of methamphetamine ever seized in the Western District and is one of the largest seizures At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Adriana Gomez, 32, has been charged with two counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine, Conspiring to Traffic Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Vehicle for Selling Methamphetamine, and Possession with intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine. Southeast Raleigh pastor celebrates 40 years of service, Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid pressure to slash costs, Railroad crossing work could create traffic delays in Wake Forest. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. Legal Statement. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. , reliable energy to be careful or they might overdose N.C. drug Bust, N.C. ( WITN -., Jr., 33, on Thursday and seized 2.76 pounds of fentanyl... On Outer Banks tree looks and feels Like hair, park says marijuana in the release by... N.C. drug Bust, N.C. 2, 2022 at 2:25 PM PDT 500,000 bond 'Dropping Like Flies:... 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