ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department seized a large amount of cash andweaponsin a drug bust insouth St. Louis, Thursday. Louis County traffic stop leads to major drug bust, two arrests fox2now.com - Joey Schneider 5h ST. LOUIS - Two people are behind bars after a recent traffic stop in St. Were looking at taking out the worst of the worst, and were focused on that regardless of where that person is located, Oz says. ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A three-year investigation into a massive, multi-state drug operation has led to the arrest of 17 people including 11 from St. Louis and the recovery of a large amount of drugs, guns and cash. Neither do the police officers. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. U.S. Attorney James Martin says traffickers led by Jorge Trevino of Houston distributed drugs from Mexico to St. Louis. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The man they were meeting was a confidential source working at the direction of law enforcement. An official website of the United States government. Lock LOUIS (KMOV/Gray News) 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 pounds of meth seized during joint drug bust. Please review the rules before commenting. Speaking before the city officials is less productive than speaking before an old oak tree. That is enough to kill approximately 11 million people. This is a space to talk about St. Louis and Missouri news, as well as our city at whole. Its important for everyone to keep in mind that no city is immune from the threat of drugs. Francisco Manuel Mata-Martinez, 41, of El Paso, Texas, and Maricela Vazquez-Vargas, 38, of St. Louis, were indicted on felony charges in the case. Phoenix, Arizona is one of those hubs. ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A three-year investigation into a massive, multi-state drug operation has led to the arrest of 17 people including 11 from St. Louis and the recovery of a large amount of drugs, guns and cash. It is an exciting thing to watch as I pack my lunchbox and fill my thermos. 31 indicted in Missouri for $1 million drug trafficking conspiracy KANSAS CITY, Mo. ST. LOUIS The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) busted a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking ring and 11 people from St. Louis have been arrested for their role. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Vazquez-Vargas was indicted on a conspiracy charge and a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Part of Audacy. WebPolice Chase in North St. Louis Leads to Fentanyl Drug Bust. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) A neighborhood stunned was after a big marijuana bust right down the street from one of St. Louiss top schools. The offenses all occurred on August 12, 2020, when, according to court documents, Kennedy and a co-defendant, Stephen Brown, drove to a restaurant in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, intending to purchase two kilograms of cocaine. Web A St. Louis man was sentenced to 235 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons after admitting to his involvement in a methamphetamine operation in southern Illinois. DEA special agent Cheri Oz said they have a plan to take out the biggest cartel operatives. There were eight occupants of the Tahoe. Several agencies were involved in the case including police departments in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Shrewsbury, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Ballwin, and Maryland Heights. Web500 pounds of meth recovered in massive drug trafficking bust; 11 St. Louisians arrested. Ryan Krull is a staff writer for the Riverfront Times. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, How much? About once a year, the city, sometimes joined by county police, will creep in before sun up, bash the doors down with battering rams, charge in and haul six to eight people out in handcuffs. Her remarks came as the Biden administration sanctioned key members of the Sinaloa cartel who provided chemicals for their labs. The identities of the four that died have not been released. Riverfront Times Daily newsletter. Riverfront Times Daily newsletter. PublishedSeptember 23, 2004 at 10:22 AM CDT, Missouri House gives initial approval to state control of St. Louis Police Department, Passenger totals at Lambert Airport jumped in 2022, but still lag pre-pandemic levels, The federal government isn't actually measuring how inflation is hurting rural America, Dispute over Fox Theatre ownership leaves its future in doubt. It has been in business for almost five years. According to the DEA, one kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says more than five pounds of meth and seven-thousand dollars cash were seized during searches in Hermantown, Canosia Township, Proctor and Duluth. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. An early morning accident near Forest Park has left four dead and four more injured. Four were pronounced dead at the scene, and four are listed as being in critical condition. In a separate incident, a handgun, several bags of drugs and hundreds of dollars in cash were found in the car driven by a suspect who fled from an officer, Thursday night. A drug kingpin out of Investigators says the operations was carried out by "violent gangs around the country." LOUIS A federal grand jury indicted Steven Bell, along with 19 other defendants, for charges that include conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in a large-scale nationwide drug ring. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Steve P. Kennedy, 51, appeared at the federal Nine large baggies filled LOUIS The leader of a large-scale distribution organization based in St. Louis has pled guilty to conspiring to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, over one kilogram of Police then pulled over a vehicle linked to Mata-Martinez, and a narcotics dogs alerted officers of suspicious substances. To the rooftops: Staggering snowfall in California mountains, Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he's back, California high schooler fatally stabbed in classroom fight, How the 'Daisy Jones' cast went from beginners to bandmates, Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Intel agencies: No sign adversaries behind 'Havana syndrome', Hunter who killed pet dogs says he thought they were coyotes, Olive oil in coffee? Thirty-one defendants were indicted Tuesday for their roles in a $1 million drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed at least 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine and marijuana. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. Copyright 2023 KMOV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Approximately 138 kilos of cocaine, 66 kilos of fentanyl powder and $2 million in cash were taken during the investigation. Police later arrested Vazquez-Vargas and found a kilogram of cocaine at her home, per the affidavit. WebPolice Chase in North St. Louis Leads to Fentanyl Drug Bust Four men were federally indicted this week on drug charges By Ryan Krull on Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 11:06 am Send Eliminating the local drug threat and WebST. Grillo said it will be challenging to stop the cartel. Pontoon Beach, Ill. A St. Louis man who tried to buy cocaine in Illinois has been sentenced to over 7 years in prison. According to an affadavit, officers found a duffle bag with seven packages containing a total of 8.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, 40 packages containing 25.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and 1.2 kilos of suspected ketamine. Investigators also seized about 50 firearms. When it comes to 500 pounds of meth, WSPA reported earlier this year the street value of that amount of meth is approximately $8 million. President Joe Biden promised strong penalties to crack down on fentanyl trafficking during his recent State of the Union address. The drug cell we dismantled with operations in various states in the United States and Mexico has no regard for the people around them and will take whatever actions necessary to protect their profit and themselves," DEA St. Louis Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey said. But before the week is out, the endless stream of cars begin to come and go. A release from the US Attorney's Office of Eastern Missouri says they were mailing packages containing large amounts of the illegal drugs including fentanyl, heroin and crystal methamphetamine to be distributed in the St. Louis area and other cities. Sen. Hawley pens letter to President Biden for Jana Elementary, flexes political muscle, Wicked winds and drenching rain in St. Louis Thursday night into Friday, St. Louis forecast: Weather Alert Day issued for Friday, Illinois first responders prepare for what severe weather spring could bring, 'You almost died last night': Man accused of selling woman deadly dose of fentanyl, sending warning, Wildwood man charged with possession of 400 pounds of methamphetamine, 3rd victim of dog attack in north St. Louis ran to firehouse for help. According to a recent 16-count indictment, this was a long-running drug distribution conspiracy operating in Missouri, California, Arizona, and Texas. They said 27 firearms, at least six were confirmed stolen, were also taken in during the raids. He says another organization led by Deron Gatling worked with the Trevino organization. Plastic bags where the glass used to be. Drug dealers know about it. His sentencing will be held in October. 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 & search warrant." Court documents state law enforcement seized: Court documents also state the conspiracy included mailing and shipping packages containing large amounts of illegal drugs to be distributed around St. Louis and other cities in the United States. October 25, 2021 12:10 pm. Everybody on the block turns out to watch the show. Prior to the arrests, DEA agents relayed a tip to St. Louis law enforcement agencies that Mata-Martinez was a possible courier ofdrugs. The drugs have an estimated street value of $13 million, Riding on a donut tire. PNC C-Speak: The Language of Executives St. Louis, $300K, weapons, drugs seized by St. Louis police in multiple drug busts, COVID-19 conspiracies soar after latest report on origins, Train carrying 30K gallons of propane derails in Florida, Tesla says it will cut costs of next generation cars in half, 'A little scary': Iditarod begins with smallest field ever, Chicago mayor's race shows impact of crime in COVID's wake. In total, troopers confiscated an estimated $9.4 million worth of drugs, approximately 1,500 pounds of meth, fentanyl pills, and cocaine, over the course of four days in that operation. The drugs have an estimated street value of $13 million, according to the DEA. Well send you a handful of interesting St. Louis stories every morning. WebST. Information on this site is preliminary information relating to arrests performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) A massive synthetic drug take down that includes a reported dealer first exposed by FOX 2. 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 pounds of meth seized during joint drug bust, Missouri House Committee to hear bills on aiding victims of hazardous waste in St. Louis, St. Charles County, St. Louis City looks to bring back red-light traffic cameras, Contaminated: The Fentanyl Crisis in St. Louis. Send your So St. Louis story to [emailprotected]. The only way we can keep our streets safe is by working together to educate those around us on the dangers of these illegal substances and the threat associated with them., 2021 KMOX (Audacy). (1). Photo courtesy of the U.S. Attorney's office. PNC C-Speak: The Language of Executives St. Louis, 500 pounds of meth recovered in massive drug trafficking bust; 11 St. Louisians arrested, Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmons shot and killed, suspect in custody, COVID-19 conspiracies soar after latest report on origins, Train carrying 30K gallons of propane derails in Florida, Tesla says it will cut costs of next generation cars in half, 'A little scary': Iditarod begins with smallest field ever, Chicago mayor's race shows impact of crime in COVID's wake. (Arrests investigated by agencies outside the Missouri State Highway Patrol are not included.) By We were the first expose synthetic cocaine hidden Thursdays news conference came just hours after another major drug bust was announced at the southern border and along I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson. Officers seized 50 pounds of fentanyl, 500 pounds of methamphetamine, 50 firearms and more than 400-thousand dollars in drug money. So we need every law enforcement agency, every attorney general along the border, but also across the country to be laser focused on stopping this fentanyl, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said. LOUIS Two people are behind bars after a recent traffic stop in St. Louis County led authorities to a shipment of illegal drugs. Officials say the network is operated largely by violent gangs around the country. As of Thursday, the proposal passed out of its first Senate committee and could be heading to the House soon. LOUIS (KMOV) -- Kolby L. Kristiansen of Wildwood was indicted by a grand jury after around 400 pounds of meth was found in a storage unit that Kristiansen was using. As part of the sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel ordered Kennedy to forfeit his interest in the seized cash, pay a $150 fine, and serve a 3-year term of supervised release. 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