The Mega Merged Drug Busts Thread

Man Charged After Receiving Shipment Of Mailed Drugs

BRUNDIDGE, Ala. -- A Brundidge man is jailed on drug trafficking charges after U.S. Postal inspectors said he received a shipment of marijuana and crack cocaine through the mail.

Police Chief Moses Davenport said a tip from a postal worker led to Saturday's arrest of 24-year-old Briceson Gene Boykin.

Davenport said Boykin was taken into custody after he picked up the package at the Brundidge post office.

Police estimated the marijuana, which weighed more than 15 pounds, had a street value of about $50,000. The crack cocaine was worth around $200.

Boykin was also charged with possession of a controlled substance. He's in the Pike County Jail with bail set at $57,500.

http://www.nbc13.com/news/3677714/detail.html

DRUGS: WALKS AROUND THE 'PINCIO' TERRACE WITH 1KG OF COCAINE

(AGI) - Rome, Italy, Aug. 24 - On a hot summer day, a man was walking around the 'Pincio' terrace gardens, with a girl, wearing a typical winter stuffed jacket. Rather unusual in August: in fact, the Carabinieri noticed it, and decided to stop the couple for a control. That's how a 43 year-old Roman and a 34 year-old Nigerian woman were arrested for possession of drugs.

That winter jacket was used to keep cocaine eggs, for an overall quantity of 1 kg. The eggs were inserted in sponge socks and kept in the jacket pockets. The cocaine was probably to be delivered to the local pushers, who would have sold it to their usual clients, on their return from the summer holidays.

The man's house in Formello was searched, and precision-measuring equipment was found their, along with other material, used to package the drugs. Even his Mercedes station wagon was seized. Further investigations are underway.

here

Cops bust up drug gangs

Cops bust up drug gangs

BY PETE BOWLES
NY NEWS DAY
August 27, 2004


Law-enforcement authorities yesterday announced the breakup of five gangs that used juveniles as drug runners and lookouts in a narcotics operation at three East New York housing developments.

Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said 69 people had been indicted as participants in an $11-million-a-year drug enterprise at the Redeemer, Unity Plaza and Long Island Baptist housing developments. The projects consist of 34 apartment buildings along Blake Avenue.

Of the 69 suspects, 50 were arrested, 10 were already in jail on other charges and nine are being sought. Hynes and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the roundup follows previous drug busts in the Cypress Hills, Ocean Towers, Vanderveer and Ingersoll housing developments in Brooklyn.

During the 18-month investigation, undercover agents made 100 buys of heroin and crack cocaine, the officials said.

"These arrests and indictments mark another success in our ongoing battle against the narcotics trade in New York City," Kelly said. "We do not rest on our victories. If a new group rises to replace the old, they too will feel the impact of justice."

The latest investigation — dubbed "Operation Family Affair" because many of the gang members are related — was initiated after an increase in narcotics activity and shootings in the projects.

In making the arrests, police seized 75 grams of heroin, $50,000 in cash, seven luxury cars and a 35-foot Mainship Express boat as evidence.

Hynes said gang members used juveniles as runners and lookouts in an effort to insulate themselves from arrest and prosecution. Because of the use of children in a narcotics conspiracy, the defendants face harsher prison terms, he said.

All but four of the defendants were charged with first-degree conspiracy and face 15 years to life in prison if convicted. Four suspects under age 18 were charged with second-degree conspiracy and face 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.

link

Chances are....

Police bust major pot growing operation
Patrick Taney
Posted on: Thursday, August 26, 2004

COLLIER COUNTY—A half million dollars worth of marijuana is in the Collier County Sheriff's Office's custody. The department raided four homes in Golden Gate Estates that were converted to produce huge amounts of potent marijuana. The bust started with a 9-1-1 call and then one by one, detectives began to uncover a huge network of drug production houses.

In Golden Gate Estates there are many streets like 8th Avenue SE.

"Everyone knows everyone down these streets," said resident Pete Santovenia.

It's a street where neighbors don't just live next door, they're almost family.

"We've known each other for years," said Santovenia.

All except for one home on the street.

"I couldn't get to know them. I did try to make an effort wave but it didn't happen," said Santovenia.

The home was one of several busted for growing expensive and potent marijuana - and a lot of it.

"I really don't know what to tell you. That really surprises me," said Santovenia.

After a 9-1-1 call, deputies responded to one home then another. By the end of the day, four homes scattered across the estates were raided.

Inside each home were rooms packed full of marijuana plants.

"Much like a green house, but indoor and covert," said Captain Kevin Rambosk of the Collier County Sheriff's Office.

They were all elaborate, high tech pot productions.

"This is not your average growing something in the home," said Rambosk.

The growing operation is big business.

"The center walls are removed, high intensity discharge lighting, irrigation systems" said Rambosk.

Five men were arrested in the raids and more are expected.

"We would have to assume there are others in Collier County. That would be a safe assumption," said Rambosk.

Deputies are asking residents of Golden Gate Estates to be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office issued the following press release:

Are you living next door to a marijuana grow house?

Article: Though the house next door may seem the like the average home, chances are it has been converted into a marijuana growing operation. Following are some things to look for if you suspect a home near you is involved in this type of activity:

Evidence of tampering with the electric meter (damaged or broken seals) or the ground around it.
Homes made to look lived-in by things like light timers, but very few people are seen coming in and out of the home.
Late night or very short visits by people.
Strange smells or overpowering smells of fabric softener.
Water lines and/or electrical cords running to the house or outbuilding.
Unusual noises such as hammering or drilling into the house or foundation.
People bringing unusual items into the house, such as bags of soil, lots of plant roots and potting plants.
Excess potting soil or other growing mediums around the residence or in the immediate area.
People continually bringing items and taking items away in garbage bags.
Windows that are always covered.
Residence or outbuilding has unusual volume of roof vents or exhaust fan noises.
Outbuildings that have air conditioners.
High condensation around windows.
Little or no garbage being left out for collection.
People entering and exiting the residence only through the garage, keeping the garage door closed.
People seen coming and going from the house only every week so.
New neighbors never taking furniture or groceries into the house.
House or utilities obtained under assumed names with payment made in cash.
House rented under assumed names with payment made in cash.
Purchase of very expensive heat lamps for unexplained reasons.
Unexplained and unseasonably high utility bills.
Property with excessive security (e.g. guard dogs, "keep out" signs, high fences, heavy chains and locks on gates).
Unusual amount of vehicular traffic (especially at night) carrying unknown individuals on and off the property with entrance gates always being locked after entry.
Large purchases by individuals of fertilizer, garden hoses, plastic PVC pipe, chicken wire, long pieces of 2 X 2 lumber, different sizes of pots (utilized for different stages of growing plants), machetes, camouflage netting, camouflage clothing, various sizes of step ladders (up to 18 to 20 feet) usually painted with green and brown paint, green plastic garden tie materials, cans of green spray paint, large trash bags, lanterns, extension cords, heat lamps and fans.
***NOTE TO LANDLORDS***

Landlords may notice that tenants insist on paying their rent in cash, and while having no known source of income, they have expensive cars, cell phones, pagers, etc.
These same tenants will be reluctant to allow landlords to inspect their rented property. They will make arrangements to meet landlords away from the property to pay their rent and/or to discuss any problems.
Landlords should have a detailed rental agreement in place and ensure that the individual(s) renting their premises are those living there. References should be mandatory and followed up.
****WARNING****

Members of the general public are asked not to put themselves in any compromising position while obtaining information about marijuana grow house operations or other criminal activity. If you observe a number of these indicators and suspect there is an indoor marijuana grow operation in your neighborhood, please contact the Collier County Sheriff's Office or the TIPS line at (239) 774-8477.

© 2004 by NBC2 NEWS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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I mainly wanted everyone to take note of this ridiculous sentence, "Though the house next door may seem the like the average home, chances are it has been converted into a marijuana growing operation." I fucking wish the average neighbor converted his home.

[edited formatting , please provide a link - Thank You ]

I actually just heard about another story very similar to this, where no arrests were made. The growers bought big houses in upscale areas and camouflaged them and then told people they travelled a lot, so they wouldn't seem suspicious. They wouldn't have been caught but a filter in one of the vents in one of the houses broke, and neighbors noticed an overwhelming pot smell one day. They called the cops, the cops raided the house, yadda yadda yadda. No one had suspected a damn thing. Hee hee :D

better suited in drugs in the media?

^
Probably. Moved.

Naked panic as cops raid club for drugs

Naked panic as cops raid club for drugs

August 30, 2004
By Gill Gifford

About 80 naked men socialising at a nightclub were caught with their pants down, with many of them ditching drugs when the venue was raided by police.

The Factory in New Doornfontein - a strictly men-only club where the policy is to pay and leave your clothes at the door - was hit on Saturday night in what police say is the start of a string of raids on nightclubs in and around Joburg.

Detectives were somewhat surprised to walk in on naked patrons, but nevertheless arrested four club-goers found in possession of drugs.

"Most of the patrons had their shoes on, so I would imagine the drugs were found in their socks," explained Inspector Dennis Adriao, police spokesperson for Gauteng.

Two of the men were arrested for possession of CAT, one for dagga and the fourth for possession of a schedule 7 drug without a prescription. They are aged 33, 40, 42 and 50.

"The 56-year-old club manager was also arrested after it was found that he was trading without a liquor licence," said Adriao. Alcohol valued at about R30 000 was seized.

The sudden appearance of the police had club-goers ditching CAT, cocaine, dagga and Ecstasy. Adriao said illegal substances valued at about R20 000 were found on the floor.

The raid was conducted by the Johannesburg Organised Crime Unit, assisted by the Dog Unit and Jeppe police.

Adriao said The Factory had been pinpointed after police had been told about drug usage at the club.

[email protected]

Link

Man Sentenced For Mixing Pot With Frozen Squid
Armenta-Orozco Caught Trying To Cross Border
The San Diego Channel
August 30, 2004

SAN DIEGO -- A man who drove a trailer-truck loaded with more than 6,700 pounds of marijuana mixed with 30,000 pounds of frozen squid across the Otay Mesa border was sentenced Monday to 121 months in federal custody.

A jury on May 28 convicted Roberto Armenta-Orozco, 37, of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and importation of marijuana.

Defense attorney Mark Adams unsuccessfully argued to U.S. District Judge M. James Lorenz that Armenta-Orozco be given a lesser sentence because of statements he made to authorities after his arrest last year, in which he denied knowing the marijuana was mixed into the squid.

But the judge called the case "bothersome" because of the amount of drugs seized.

"There was an awful lot of drugs involved here," Lorenz said. "I truly don't believe he has accepted responsibility."

Armenta-Orozco's manifest on April 14, 2003, claimed he was transporting frozen squid ultimately destined for South Korea.

A narcotics dog alerted authorities to the presence of a drug in the defendant's trailer, but Armenta-Orozco was unaware it had been detected when he dropped off the trailer at a nearby truck stop, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri Hobson.

Four co-conspirators were arrested at the truck stop as they attempted to switch the packages of marijuana with packages of frozen squid from a second truck, the prosecutor said.

Before trial, the co-conspirators pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, Hobson said.

Armenta-Orozco was taken into custody after a more intensive investigation revealed his involvement, authorities said.

Link

Drugs hidden in toilet
ic Coventry
Aug 30 2004

Police with sniffer dogs discovered more than £1,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis hidden in a toilet at the home of a Coventry father.

Scott Fullerton, 39, of xxxxxxxx Road, Long-ford, was handed a 100-hour community punishment order by a judge at Coventry Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard how police discovered £983 worth of cannabis in the kitchen and in the toilet of the ensuite bathroom and £133 worth of cocaine.

Prosecuting, Sarah Pratt said Fullerton had been fined on three occasions for possession of drugs.

Lawrence Watts, in mitigation, said Fullerton was a regular cannabis user who had split up with his girlfriend at the time and decided to buy cocaine to help him through the period.

He said Fullerton worked as a dog breeder and was not someone who relied on benefits.

Judge James Pyke said at the time of the offence the cannabis was still categorised as a class B drug and the possession of the cocaine was more serious.

He gave him a 100-hour community punishment order, over a year, and ordered the destruction of the drugs.

Link

23 arrested in drug busts in South Jersey

23 arrested in drug busts in South Jersey

September 2, 2004
The Associated Press

BRIDGETON, N.J. -- An operation that distributed cocaine, marijuana and steroids and promoted gambling in far southern New Jersey was broken up Thursday when 23 people were arrested, local and federal authorities said.

Devin B. Reilly, 30, of Pittsgrove, and Jamal I. Herrin, 32, of Clementon, were identified as leaders of an operation that was the subject of six months of investigation, authorities said.

Both face multiple charges and were being held on bail of $500,000.

Reilly was arrested on Aug. 26. Police said he led them on a car chase that started in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, then abandoned his car and dove into Malaga Lake, but that police plucked him from the water. At the time, charges against him included aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. Now, he faces drug and conspiracy charges as well.

"Today, Mr. Reilly will not be swimming in Malaga Lake trying to elude police, but rather facing serious drug charges as a big fish in this investigation," said Michael Pasterchick Jr., special agent in charge of the Newark office of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency.

The 21 others arrested in raids Thursday were being held on bail ranging from $15,000 to $250,000.

In searches at 17 locations, authorities said they seized cocaine, an indoor marijuana lab, more than $20,000 in cash, anabolic steroids, syringes and needles, three handguns and five cars.


link

Children's Prank Call Results In Big Drug Bust

Children's Prank Call Results In Big Drug Bust

September 2, 2004
The Associated Press.


HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Police in New Jersey are crediting kids playing with a phone for a big pot bust.

Officers were dispatched to a Hackensack home after two hang-up calls to 911. Police found some kids playing outside the home.

But officers say when they knocked on the door Jeffrey Chung, 26, answered it, then tried to slam it shut. Police say they forced their way in and found nine pounds of marijuana and nearly $39,000 in cash.

Chung and another man at the home, 18-year-old Whitney Duncan of New York City, both face several drug charges. Chung also was charged with child endangerment.

here

DEA seizes pot from medical marijuana operation

DEA seizes pot from medical marijuana operation

Associated Press
Sep. 04, 2004

ROSEVILLE, Calif. - Federal agents raided a medical marijuana operation and seized hundreds of plants at the owner's nearby garden.

The Drug Enforcement Agency served search warrants Friday at Richard Marino's home and business, Capitol Compassionate Care, which opened in January. No arrests were made.

"We will collect all the evidence and present the case to the U.S. attorney's office," said Gordon Taylor, agent-in-charge of the DEA's Sacramento office.

Alan Archuleta, a shift manager, said agents stormed in at 9:30 a.m., guns drawn, and yelling for everyone inside to get on the ground. "I thought we were being robbed until I saw the badge. For a split second, it was very traumatizing."

Marino later spoke to The Sacramento Bee by phone from an undisclosed location, the newspaper reported Saturday.

"I thought I was doing everything above board," he said. "I still think I'm doing everything above board."

The conflict between state and federal law regarding medical marijuana deepened recently after two rulings by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that federal authorities do not have the power to go after noncommercial medical marijuana operations confined within the state. The U.S. Department of Justice is appealing the cases to the U.S. Supreme Court.

While Marino is breaking federal law, which holds that possessing and cultivating marijuana is illegal, he is not breaking state law. California voters in 1996 passed Proposition 215, which allows qualified patients to use medical marijuana.

And last year, the Legislature passed a law that enabled the growing and selling of medicinal marijuana. The law broadened the definition of a medical marijuana caregiver and allows for the drug's collective cultivation.

Richard Meyer, special agent in the DEA's San Francisco division, said other medical marijuana dispensaries in California "should know that they are breaking the law ... they should get out of the business of selling drugs."

Since early July, Marino has been growing hundreds of marijuana plants on the 5 acres he recently purchased in Newcastle. The plants were surrounded by barbed-wire fencing, and security guards patrolled the property 24 hours a day.

On Friday, federal agents dug up the plants and carried them away. Agents said the marijuana will be destroyed, but declined to say how many plants were seized or what their value was.


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2.8 tonnes of cocaine seized

2.8 tonnes of cocaine seized

Monday, September 6th 2004

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)-Venezuelan troops seized 2.8 tonnes of cocaine and killed two suspects in separate operations in eastern Venezuela, a Venezuelan newspaper reported Sunday.

Two suspects identified as Colombian citizens died during a shootout with National Guard troops near the two tunnels where 1,320 pounds (600 kilogrammes) of cocaine were discovered in Sucre state, said National Guard Gen. Alexis Marcano, according to the local newspaper El Nacional.

In the other incident, also in Sucre, 2.2 tonnes of cocaine were discovered in tunnels in a tourist lodge near the beach in Cumana some 180 miles (300 kilometres) east of Caracas. A machine gun, three rifles and two grenades were discovered in the tunnels.

One man, whose nationality was not revealed, was arrested during the second bust.

Link

Two SA men in Indonesia drug bust

Posted Tue, 07 Sep 2004

Police in Indonesia's resort island of Bali said on Tuesday they had arrested two South African nationals for drug trafficking in an operation described as the biggest heroin bust in two years.

Police found 2.3kg of the drug when they raided the hotel room where the two South Africans were staying last Tuesday, said Adjunct Commissioner Lennon, an officer in the Balinese capital of Denpasar.

The two suspects were identified as John Gabriele (37), and Martin Christopher (40).

Denpasar deputy police chief Dewa Parsana was quoted by Tuesday's Jakarta Post as saying that the seizure of the drugs, which have a street value of two billion rupiah (around $215 000), was the biggest heroin bust since 2002.

'Bali now a drug market in its own right'

Parsana said the arrest indicated that Bali, which in the 1980s was merely a stepping stone for dealers involved in the international narcotics trade, was now a drug market in its own right.

More than two dozen people, mostly foreigners, are on death row in Indonesia for drug offences. Rights group Amnesty International has said that at least 66 people are facing capital punishment in Indonesia.

Last month Indonesia carried out its first execution in three years when Indian national Ayodhya Prasad Chaubey, a convicted drug smuggler, was executed by a police firing squad in the North Sumatran city of Medan.

He was executed despite international appeals to spare his life.

President Megawati Sukarnoputri, who is battling for reelection against her former security minister, has recently refused clemency for 11 convicted drug traffickers, saying she had a duty to protect young people from narcotics.

here

2 arrested after police find drugs in teddy bear
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Sunday, September 12, 2004

Rohnert Park police investigating a tip about drug dealing arrested two people and seized nearly 3 ounces of methamphetamine, some hidden inside a teddy bear, authorities said Saturday.

Police arrested Karyn Boyd, 37, of Rohnert Park on suspicion of transportation and possession for sale of narcotics.

She had been under surveillance for several days when her car was pulled over Friday night on Lancaster Drive.

Officers found a teddy bear with almost an ounce of methamphetamine stuffed inside, Rohnert Park Police Sgt. Eric Robinson.

At her room in the Good Nite Inn, Robinson said police found another about 2 ounces of methamphetamine.

He said the drugs had a street value of about $6,000.

Police also arrested Joel Silva, a 26-year-old parolee, in the motel room. He was wanted for a parole violation involving an alleged burglary, Robinson said.

He was being held without bail at Sonoma County Jail. Boyd was released on $25,000 bail.

Link

U.S. Customs Agent Accused Of Trafficking Marijuana

U.S. Customs Agent Accused Of Trafficking Marijuana

September 15, 2004
The Associated Press

SEATTLE -- Federal prosecutors have filed drug charges against a U.S. Customs agent who was arrested at the U.S.-Canadian border, accused of driving a van packed with $1.6 million worth of marijuana.

Cory W. Whitfield, of Point Roberts, Wash., told investigators he has worked for six years screening U.S.-bound traffic at Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

He was charged with importation of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.

According to the complaint, Whitfield tried to enter the United States at the Lynden border crossing Monday. He presented a diplomatic passport, telling Inspector Rodney Nash, "I'm one of us."

Whitfield told Nash the purpose of his trip was to bring an engine block to a Ford dealership in Bellingham, but Nash found 536 pounds of marijuana in the back of the van, and Whitfield's story fell apart under questioning, the complaint said.

Whitfield eventually told investigators he was blackmailed into bringing the drugs to Bellingham by a man who had compromising photos of him -- photos that showed Whitfield, a married man with two children, surrounded by illegal drugs and in a sexual encounter with a woman at a party, the complaint said.

Whitfield, who moonlighted as a bodyguard at parties where drugs were present, claimed to have previously made a similar trip to the United States, the complaint said.

Link

Los Angeles police uncover Israeli drug gang
By Haaretz Service
September 17, 2004

A Los Angeles-area police task force announced it has uncovered a gang of drug dealers, many of whom are Israeli nationals, Israel Radio reported Friday.

Police said 29-year-old Israeli Eliyahu Marciano headed the gang. Marciano is also suspected of involvement in money laundering. Police officers confiscated 160,000 Ecstasy tablets worth $7 million from the gang.

Five other arrests were made this week and eight others in recent weeks in connection to the case.

The arrests were made in California four days ago following a year-long investigation carried out with the cooperation of Israeli, Czech, Austrian, Belgian and Spanish police authorities.

The Israelis reportedly among those arrested in the international operation include: Marciano; Nimrod Haim, 27, of Prague, who helped brokered Ecstasy deals; Hillel Shamam, 38, of Woodland Hills, California, who allegedly helped Marciano launder drug proceeds through real estate transactions; and Sammy Assoulin, 30, of Sherman Oaks, California, an alleged Ecstasy distributor.

Los Angeles-area police feared the Israeli-dominated gang was importing Ecstasy pills from Europe with the assistance of dealers in the Czech Republic.

Link

"controlled dangerous substance" heh funny how he did party monster and this happened.

check it out!
hahahaha, first heard about this on the leykis show on the ride home.
check the smokin gun place theyre sure to have it!

check out his mugshot! OMG that shits funny!!!!

can we say, I LOOK LOADED!