Mega Merged Drug Bust Thread v2.0

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THAILAND - Chalerm wants drug runners executed faster

THAILAND - Chalerm wants drug runners executed faster

Presiding over a press conference yesterday to announce the seizure in Chiang Rai of 2.5 million ya ba tablets and 50 kilograms of crystal meth, or "ice", worth Bt800 million, Deputy Premier Chalerm Yoobamrung vowed to change the law to ensure that drug dealers who are sentenced to death are executed within 30 days of the final verdict in their cases.

Chalerm also warned hospitals and pharmacists not to supply pseudoephedrine-based cold medicines to makers of ya ba and "ice", or they would face serious punishment.

Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said cold medicine from some 30 hospitals had reportedly been smuggled to drug networks. The DSI would probe Kalasin's Kamalasai Hospital and Chiang Mai's Doi Lor Hospital this week. Central Udon Thani Hospital clarified that a check of its cold medicine stocks for the past three years found that 4.8 million tablets had been embezzled - not 37 million tablets as some news agencies said.

During yesterday's conference at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where male suspect Damrong Samawawiang, 39, and females Hassareudee Arthorn-prachachit, 34, and Parichart Charoonwit, 27, were presented with the seized drugs, Chalerm said officials had been investigating the alleged drug ring since January. It allegedly sent drugs from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, leading to a stakeout at a Muang Chiang Rai house.

Police on Thursday followed the two female suspects, who had packed boxes at the house and taken them to Damrong at a warehouse on the Chiang Rai Super-Highway. Police presented themselves at the warehouse and searched the six boxes, in which they found the drugs, leading to the arrest of the three. The boxes were bound for Bangkok's Saphan Sung, with bogus names.

Damrong reportedly told police he sent such packages 10 times before in smaller amounts. Chalerm said the husband of Parichart, who rented the house, was arrested with accomplices in a previous bust involving 300,000 ya ba tablets and Bt3 million in assets.

Hassareudee - who is the sister of Parichart's husband - was arrested once before in a police sting with 200 ya ba tablets, Chalerm said. He added that the group didn't seem to fear the law or to have learnt a lesson, so they deserved the severest punishment. He said he would propose an amendment requiring drug dealers sentenced to death to be executed within 30 days of their final verdict, as drug-trafficking was a serious issue and many inmates continued to deal drugs in jail.

The National Command Centre for Drugs (NCCD) said that from Sept 11, 2011 to March 15 authorities had arrested 321 suspected ya ba dealers and seized 26 million tablets; plus 143 suspected "ice" dealers and seized 600kg of the drug. They also seized 200kg of heroin, 4.6 tonnes of marijuana, 13.7kg of cocaine and 4.2 million tablets with pseudoephedrine.

Commenting on the probe into alleged theft of cold medicine at Central Udon Thani Hospital, Uttaradit's Thong Saeng Khan Hospital and Chiang Mai's Doi Lor Hospital, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said investigators had traced drug-lot numbers and found a link to a February 18 cold-medicine seizure in Chiang Mai. Tharit said the DSI-Food and Drug Administration probe found many hospitals and clinics bought suspiciously large amounts of cold medicine.

Based on the lot numbers, he said three public hospitals, one private hospital, eight clinics and one pharmacy were linked to the Chiang Mai cold-medicine seizure. He said this had led to a suspicion that a gang was siphoning cold medicine from the public health system through some 30 hospitals to San Kamphaeng in Chiang Mai for narcotics production.

After the case at Kalasin's Kamalapisai Hospital, in which 356,535 cold medicine tablets were missing, was made public, three drug-dispensing personnel were suspended and face disciplinary probes. Kalasin deputy police said an initial investigation found at least five people were involved. A check of last year's receipts found 21 had inflated the amount of drugs actually distributed. The case report would be sent to the Drug Suppression Police this week.

Police also seized 9,019 ya ba tablets in Rayong's Klaeng district, but the suspect, Theerawat Sriserm, 24, the son of an official, fled. Police seized 32,000 ya ba tablets in Lop Buri's Tha Wung district but the alleged owner, female village head Panida Meejaijeu, 33, fled.

A policeman lines up heavy packs of illicit drugs in preparation for yesterday's press conference at Suvarnabhumi Airport about the seizure.​

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Chalerm-wants-drug-runners-executed-faster-30178204.html

 

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USA - East Orange man caught with nearly 1,400 bags of heroin, handgun

USA - East Orange man caught with nearly 1,400 bags of heroin, handgun

Michael "Kung Fu Mike" Fields was arrested in a Newark Dunkin Donuts parking lot, and police subsequently found heroin and a handgun in his car.

EAST ORANGE — Essex County Sheriff’s detectives seized more than $15,000 in heroin and a semi-automatic weapon from an alleged East Orange drug dealer when he was arrested Wednesday, authorities said.
Michael "Kung Fu Mike" Fields, 38, was captured in a Dunkin Donuts parking lot in Newark on Wednesday, according to Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, who said police discovered nearly 1,400 bags of heroin during the arrest and subsequent search of his car.
Fields pulled his 2001 Chrysler 300 into the parking lot near Park Avenue and North 6th Street Wednesday afternoon, while detectives were conducting a surveillance investigation into "the delivery of large amounts of drugs" in the area, Fontoura said.
When officers approached, Fields tried to drive away but police quickly boxed him in. Fields was juggling several items in his lap when detectives tried to remove him from the car, and the 38-year-old dropped roughly 400 bags on the ground when he was removed from his vehicle, according to Fontoura.
The car was impounded, and a search of the Chrysler later in the day revealed a trap compartment where police discovered 991 bags of heroin and a fully loaded TEC-9 semi-automatic handgun, Fontoura said. Police also found digital scales and other drug paraphernalia in the trunk of the car.
Fields, who faces multiple drug and weapons offenses, was arraigned today. He remains at the Essex County Correctional Facility in lieu of $300,000 cash bond only.​

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/east_orange_man_caught_with_ne.html

 

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Tajikistan - Customs officers seize large amount of heroin in Sughd

Tajikistan - Customs officers seize large amount of heroin in Sughd

[News.tj] TAJIKISTAN :: Customs officers seize large amount of heroin in Sughd

"An official source at the Customs Service’s office for Sughd province says customs officers found 15.165 kilograms of heroin while inspecting the Sverdlovsk-bound freight car loaded with dried fruits on March 14."

Read Full Article At :: http://news.tj/en/news/customs-officers-seize-large-amount-heroin-sughd​

 

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Jamaica - $146-m cocaine bust on ship

Jamaica - $146-m cocaine bust on ship

SIXTY-NINE packages of cocaine wrapped in cellophane paper were today found aboard the vessel San Andres by members of the Jamaica Customs Border Protection Team, in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division.
The contraband, which has an approximate street value of $146, 600,000 was discovered inside an empty 20ft container (# UESU 2251317) destined to Brazil.
The team acted on intelligence and carried out a seven-hour operation where a comprehensive search of the vessel and containers was done.
The ship had anchored in the Kingston Harbour yesterday and monitored until it docked at the Kingston Container Terminal this morning on a voyage from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.
No one has been arrested in connection with this seizure, however, investigations are continuing.​

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/69-packs-of-cocaine-found-on-ship

 

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USA, VIRGINIA - Busts nets $4.5 million in drugs in Lynchburg

USA, VIRGINIA - Busts nets $4.5 million in drugs in Lynchburg

UPDATED:

A federal drug task force seized more than $4.5 million in cocaine and marijuana in Lynchburg — along with more than two dozen weapons — and arrested several residents in an alleged cross-country drug conspiracy.

The local arrests were made in February. Word did not get out until Tuesday, however, when Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Doucette used the busts to make a plea to spare his office and the city police department from funding cuts. During the city council budget meeting, Doucette noted the cases had not been publicized, but went on to detail the seizures made in February raids.

For two of the men arrested, local charges have now been augmented by federal charges filed last week in U.S. District Court in Roanoke.

An affidavit filed in the case notes members of the South Piedmont Safe Streets Task Force — a group of local, state and federal officers headquartered here — seized about half a pound of crack cocaine, about 14½ pounds of powder cocaine, 666 pounds of marijuana, more than $120,000 in cash and 25 firearms. Most was seized from a Hollins Mill Road storage unit.

The Lynchburg Police Department and Virginia State Police deferred comment Thursday to the task force and U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Brian McGinn refused comment, including as to why information about the arrests had not been released, citing an office policy not to speak about cases until defendants are indicted.

The task force targeted Christopher Lee Wood, 26, of the 300 block of Warren Street in March 2010 using informants to buy more than half a pound of crack cocaine in scores of purchases up through Feb. 9, the affidavit states. When they arrested Wood at his home Feb. 10, they found about 1/10th of a pound of crack, about a quarter of a pound of powder cocaine, about $9,000 in cash and a stolen handgun, court records show.

Wood was charged in Lynchburg General District Court with possession with intent to sell cocaine, possession of a firearm with a schedule I or II drug and being a felon in possession of a firearm. At the same time, Julian James, 25, of the 2200 block of Hanover Street, was arrested and charged with a second or subsequent offense of possession of a schedule I or II drug with intent to distribute.

The total yield was more than $14,000 in cocaine, three guns and $27,000 in cash, Doucette said.

The affidavit notes investigators identified 35-year-old Fillipe James of the 1800 block of Boston Avenue as one of Wood’s suppliers. The investigation led to a storage unit near the intersection of Boston Avenue and Hollins Mill Road leased by Fillipe James’ father, the affidavit states.

In a Feb. 21 search of the unit, court records show, police found 666 pounds of marijuana, nearly 13½ pounds of cocaine, about a third of a pound of crack, $110,000 in cash and 10 firearms. Fillipe James claimed ownership of 200 pounds of marijuana, the crack and guns, but said the rest belonged to Tucson, Ariz. man, Christian H. Lara.

A search of Fillipe James’ home further turned up $1,700 in cash, 11 firearms and an additional sawed-off shotgun.

Fillipe James was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana in Lynchburg General District Court. Lara was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to sell marijuana and cocaine.

Doucette said the Fillipe James seizures amounted to about $500,000 in crack and cocaine and $4 million in marijuana.

Since the state court charges were filed, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Roanoke filed federal complaints against Wood and Fillipe James charging them each with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack and cocaine and possession with intent to distribute the drugs. Additionally, James was charged with possession of a sawed-off shotgun.

The federal charges typically supersede the local charges in drug conspiracy cases, but for now, both sets of charges stand.

All of those charged are jailed in the Lynchburg Adult Detention Center without bond.

EARLIER:

A federal drug task force seized more than $4.5 million in cocaine and marijuana in Lynchburg and arrested several residents in an alleged cross-country drug conspiracy.

The local arrests were made in February. Word did not get out until Tuesday, however, when Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Doucette used the busts to make a plea to spare his office and the city police department from funding cuts. During the city council budget meeting, Doucette noted the cases had not been publicized, but went on to detail the seizures in the Feb. 10 and 22 busts.

For two of the men arrested, local charges have now been superseded by charges filed last week in U.S. District Court in Roanoke.

An affidavit filed in the case notes members of the South Piedmont Safe Streets Task Force – a group of local, state and federal officers headquartered in Lynchburg – seized about half a pound of crack cocaine, about 14½ pounds of powder cocaine, 666 pounds of marijuana, more than $120,000 in cash and 23 firearms. Most of that was seized from a Hollins Mill Road storage unit.​

With user comments -

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/20...-million-cocaine-marijuana-lynchb-ar-1769178/

 

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Sth. Africa - Coke, cash, cards - huge bust in Joburg

Sth. Africa - Coke, cash, cards - huge bust in Joburg

Johannesburg - Four Bulgarian women and a man, believed to be part of an international credit card fraud syndicate, were arrested in Johannesburg on Thursday, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) said.

Spokesperson Adrian Lackay said police and Sars officials carried out a house raid in Lonehill where R1m in cash and about 10kg of cocaine were seized.

The women were believed to be prostitutes who were illegally in the country.

Lackay said the arrests were the result of a five year investigation by French, South African and other authorities.

It was believed the house was used as a laboratory to manufacture narcotics.

Hawks spokesperson McIntosh Polela said hashish and pills were also found in the house. "We don't know what they are. It will be tested."

A suitcase containing ephedrine was also found.

The 42-year old man would be charged with drug dealing and manufacturing drugs and would appear in the Johannesburg Commercial Court on Monday.

The four women's legal status would be checked before any action was taken against them, Polela said.​

With user comments.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Coke-cash-cards-huge-bust-in-Johannesburg-20120315

 

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USA, Texas - Brownsville man charged with smuggling $550K in cocaine

USA, Texas - Brownsville man charged with smuggling $550K in cocaine

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized almost $550,000 in cocaine at the Gateway International Bridge Thursday, CBP spokesman Eddie Perez said.

Officers stopped a Ford Explorer for a secondary inspection. They discovered 14 packages concealed in the vehicle, containing in total about 17 pounds of cocaine.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations special agents took custody of Jose Armando Castillo-Facundo, 38, of Brownsville, who is facing federal drug charges.

Castillo-Facundo went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Morgan Friday, who remanded him into the custody of U.S. Marshals.

He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.​

http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sections/article/gallery/?pic=1&id=138067

 

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USA, Gaston County - Illegal immigrant had 2.5 pounds of cocaine

USA, Gaston County - Illegal immigrant had 2.5 pounds of cocaine

A woman with more than 2½ pounds of cocaine in her car consented to a search by police after being stopped for an unspecified traffic infraction, according to police.

Police stopped Elsa Maria Heredia Frias, 39, at I-85 and Cox Road late Wednesday night.

Gastonia Police Street Crimes Unit Officers M.C. Bridges and A.L. Wilson made the stop and Frias consented to allowing them to search her vehicle, according to a warrant affidavit.

The 2.55 pounds of cocaine was found in two separate bags, according to police.

Frias, whose last name is listed as Heredia in Gaston County Jail records, was booked into Gaston County Jail on Thursday on charges of trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine. A magistrate set her bond at $300,000, but Sheriff’s Office deputies put a hold on her release pending an Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation to determine her legal immigration status.​

http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/illegal-68737-immigrant-police.html

 

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USA, Oregan - Drug Bust In Willamette Valley

[KDRV.com] OREGON :: Drug Bust In Willamette Valley

"Police seized nearly 4 pounds of methamphetamine, 7 pounds of heroin, more than 2 pounds of cocaine, firearms and about $95,000 in cash."

Read Full Article At : http://kdrv.com/page/241483​

 

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USA, Greenville, NC - 5 Kilos Of Cocaine Seized, 4 Arrested

USA, Greenville, NC - 5 Kilos Of Cocaine Seized, 4 Arrested

Five kilos of cocaine have been seized and four out of state people arrested in Greenville.

WITN first told you of the arrests Thursday morning and police have now released more details.

They say around 7:00 p.m. Wednesday members of the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force and the DEA stopped two vehicles at East 10th and Cotanche streets. That's when they found the cocaine.

Those charged are Stephen Dohm, Timmy Hess, and David Diaz, Jr., all of Riverview, Florida, and Dolce Contreras of San Benito Texas. They were charged with conspiracy to traffic more the 400 grams of cocaine and each received $1,000,000.00 bonds.

Also arrested was Victor Cantu, also of Riverview, Florida. Cantu was arrested by DEA and ICE agents in Florida after the arrest and seizure here in Greenville. He faces similar charges.

Previous Story

We are gathering details on three people booked in Pitt County on drug trafficking charges.

According to booking reports and mug shots, three men are in the Pitt County Detention Center Wednesday morning, all from Riverview, Florida. 23 year old David Diaz, 67 year old Stehen Dohm, and 54 year old Timmy Hess are booked under $1 million bonds.

The trio are charged with conspiring to traffic cocaine.​

With user comments -

http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/...On_Drug_Charges_In_Pitt_County_142749965.html

 

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Argentina - Police Confiscates 450kg of Cocaine in Buenos Aires Port

Argentina - Police Confiscates 450kg of Cocaine in Buenos Aires Port

Customs police today seized at least 450kg of cocaine hidden in two containers at Terminal 1 of Buenos Aires port, a few blocks away from Retiro train station.
Two people are being held in suspicion of drug trafficking, Siomara Ayeran, the director-general of the Federal Department of Custom and Immigration (AFIP), confirmed to the press this morning. “One of them belongs to the very heart of the organization,” Ayerán added.

The drugs were seized at the river station terminal located in Ramon Carrillo and Comodoro Py. The cocaine has been placed by traffickers in 70 out of the total 1060 coal bags found in the container. It was due to be shipped to Portugal.

Authorities said that the police operation has been significant for Argentina as it was made possible by an exchange of information with the Portuguese customs office.
The cocaine has been valued at US$25 million. At the moment of writing, authorities are still calculating the precise quantity of drugs present in the second container.
Last Monday, Portuguese border patrollers seized 360kg of cocaine hidden in similar coal shipments in the port of Lisbon. Five Argentines were arrested on site, while two more were found by the police in Spain and taken into custody.

Last December, a Portuguese company received a container loaded with various bags of coal in which a criminal organization had hidden 14kg of cocaine they subsequently forgot about.​

http://www.argentinaindependent.com...scates-450kg-of-cocaine-in-buenos-aires-port/

 

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THAILAND - Thai police seize 2M methamphetamine pills

THAILAND - Thai police seize 2M methamphetamine pills

BANGKOK – Thai police on Thursday seized their third multimillion-pill haul of methamphetamine this year, as the government carries out a newly declared war on drugs.

Thailand is a leading market and transit point for methamphetamine, much of which is produced in neighboring Myanmar. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared after taking office last year her government would make a drug crackdown a priority.

Police Col. Suthep Chutimapanya said about 2 million pills were found in a pickup truck abandoned by four suspects near a drug checkpoint in Lampang province's Maeprik district.
One male suspect was captured, but three others escaped even though helicopters were trying to track them.

Police seized more than 4 million tablets two weeks ago at a checkpoint in Chiang Rai province. A house in the Bangkok outskirts that was raided in January held 3.8 million tablets and 156 pounds of crystal meth.

Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra carried out a similar crackdown on drugs when he was prime minister in 2001-2006, but human rights groups alleged his campaign involved the extrajudicial execution of suspects.

However, the crackdown was popular in some rural areas and slums where the scourge of methamphetamine had led to soaring addiction and crime.​

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/0...oxnews/world+(Internal+-+World+Latest+-+Text)

 

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USA, Fortuna, CA - Stolen car stop leads to pot, meth

USA, Fortuna, CA - Stolen car stop leads to pot, meth

Deputies arrested a 26-year-old Eureka man who was allegedly transporting one pound of marijuana to Eureka in a car matching a vehicle reported stolen by the California Highway Patrol on Wednesday afternoon.
A Humboldt County Sheriff's deputy was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 101 near 12th Street in Fortuna at about 4 p.m. when he spotted a vehicle matching the description of a 2006 Red Hyundai sedan that was reported stolen from the Stafford area at about 3:45 p.m., according to a Humboldt County Sheriff's Office press release.

After re-entering the northbound side of the freeway, the deputy caught up to the vehicle as it left the freeway at Palmer Boulevard. The sedan continued northbound on Tompkins Hill Road and drove into a driveway on the 700 block of Tompkins Hill Road, where the deputy conducted a traffic stop.

During the traffic stop, the driver, Donald Lee Lester, reportedly told the deputy: “I did not steal the car. I was told to drive a pound of marijuana to Eureka.”
The deputy searched the vehicle and found suspected methamphetamine in addition to the marijuana.

After running a warrant check, the deputy also learned that Lester had outstanding arrest warrants for vandalism, disturbing the peace, stealing a vehicle, driving under the influence and possession of a syringe. Lester was also on probation, according to the release. At the Humboldt County jail, officers also found five counterfeit $100 bills in Lester's wallet, according to the sheriff's office.

The deputy booked Lester into the Humboldt County jail on the arrest warrants and on suspicion of transportation of marijuana and methamphetamine, driving on a suspended driver license and possession of counterfeit currency.

The CHP is investigating the vehicle theft and indicated that if the car was determined to be stolen they would be submitting a case to the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office, according to the release.​

http://www.times-standard.com/ci_20181354/stolen-car-stop-leads-pot-meth

 

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USA, New Pekin, IN - New Pekin home filled with pot

USA, New Pekin, IN - New Pekin home filled with pot

Police discover marijuana operation in tornado zone

NEW PEKIN — Police discovered a marijuana growing operation in the center of the tornado affected area of New Pekin.

Detectives with the Jeffersonville Police Department Drug Investigation Unit, along with the Salem Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, seized 150 mature marijuana plants from inside the residence, according to a Jeffersonville Police Department press release.

“It was in the area that was affected by the tornado,” said Jeffersonville Police Department Detective Todd Hollis.

He said he did not know whether or not being in the tornado affected area led to someone spotting the operation and calling police, but authorities received a call to their anonymous tip line and when they arrived they found a one-story home in the 5000 block of East Borden Road filled with plants and growing equipment.

“It was in operation throughout the house,” Hollis said.

He said all of the marijuana plants and elaborate lighting and filtration equipment used for the growing operation were seized by police. He added the estimated value of the plants is about $150,000.

Hollis said police have identified who they believe is responsible as subjects of interest, but no arrests have been made.

He said those arrested will likely be charged with a C felony of manufacturing a narcotic.​

Police found 150 mature marijuana plants, along with an elaborate lighting and filtration system, inside a home in New Pekin. No one was home at the time of the seizure. (1 of 1)

With user comments -

http://newsandtribune.com/x1511616716/New-Pekin-home-filled-with-marijuana

 

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USA, NY - St. Lawrence County men arrested for possessing large amount of hallucinoge

St. Lawrence County men arrested for possessing large amount of hallucinogenic mushrooms and marijuana

A traffic stop in St. Lawrence County has led to the arrest of three men involved with the sale and distribution of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

The St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force initially made a traffic stop on County Route 25 in Canton. During the stop the Sherriff’s K9 ‘Hershey’ searched the suspect’s vehicle and alerted deputies.

Approximately one pound of hallucinogenic mushrooms was found in the trunk of the vehicle along with a small amount of marihuana.​

Continued at -

http://www.myabc50.com/news/local/s...ed-for-possessing/7cqbFhd7BE2YB2PS-4c3oQ.cspx

 

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USA, Alabama - officials seize over $6,000 worth of marijuana

USA, Alabama - officials seize over $6,000 worth of marijuana

JACKSON COUNTY, AL (WRCB) -- An Alabama man was arrested on Thursday in connection with a two day investigation conducted by the Hollywood Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit.

During this investigation, approximately 2.5 pounds of marijuana, valued at over $6,000, was seized from a vehicle parked off of Main Street in Hollywood.

Rudolph Valentino Ragland, Jr., 40, of Hollywood, AL. was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Marijuana.

Ragland was placed in the Jackson County Jail where bond was set at $50,000.

Additionally a hold was placed on Ragland for a possible Probation Violation out of Etowah County.​

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/17167682/alabama-officials-seize-over-6000-worth-of-marijuana

 

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USA, Wilmington, DE - police uncover marijuana growing in home; man sought

USA, Wilmington, DE - police uncover marijuana growing in home; man sought

Wilmington police say they uncovered a marijuana growing operation late Thursday while investigating an assault.

Police were called to the 500 block of E. 10th St. about 10:45 p.m. for a possible assault in progress. Officers attempted to talk with the caller, identified by police as William Grimes, 28, who lives on the block. He showed visible signs of an assault, Master Sgt. Adam Ringle said.

When officers approached Grimes, he stepped into the front room of the home, Ringle said. ”He then became combative with the officers trying to help him and a brief struggle ensued and he was wrestled to the ground and placed into custody” by Corporals James Deleo, Justin Kreysa and Charles Puit.

When the officers searched the home, they noticed unusual water and electric lines in two areas and discovered the hydroponic growing operations, Ringle said.

Grimes, meanwhile, was taken to Wilmington Hospital for treatment and he remained combative there and refused to cooperate with investigators, Ringle said. Grimes was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

At the home, police “seized 23 marijuana plants with a drug weight of 3.5 pounds and a street value of almost $10,000, lights, irrigation equipment and various documents. Further investigation linked the drug manufacturing and growing investigation to a Brian K. Lafate, a 43-year-old East Side city resident,” Ringle said.

An arrest warrant is on file for Lafate on charges of aggravated drug dealing and maintaining a drug property.​

Wilmington police say they found this hydroponic marijuana growing operation inside a home in the 500 block of E. 10th St. / Wilmington Police Department

http://www.delawareonline.com/artic...newswell|text|Local|p&gcheck=1&nclick_check=1

 

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USA, CHURCH HILL, Tenn - Indoor grow discovered in Church Hill; pair arrested

USA, CHURCH HILL, Tenn - Indoor grow discovered in Church Hill; pair arrested

An-indoor marijuana grow was uncovered yesterday in Hawkins County, police reported today.

According to information from the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department, officers went to a home on Carters Valley Road, Church Hill, on March 15 in reference to a narcotics investigation.

Residents of the home consented to a search. Reports state that the search revealed approximately nine marijuana plants growing, artificial lighting, fans, fertilizer and growth hormones. All of this was found in a bedroom closet and bathroom.

Further search of the home revealed three mason jars containing cultivated marijuana. Officers say they also found scales, pipes, small amount of suboxone and hydrocodone pills and a .380 automatic pistol.

Donald Eugene Pierce and Gertrude Allie Thompson were charged as a result of the investigation.

Donald Eugene Pierce, age 36, was charged with Manufacturing/Del/Sell Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Dwelling where Narcotics are Housed or Sold, Simple Possession or Casual Exchange, Possession of Schedule VI, Possession of drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Firearm During a Felony. He is currently housed in the Hawkins County Jail under $20,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Hawkins County General Session Court on March 28, 2012.

Gertrude Allie Thompson, age 47, is also charged with Manufacturing/Del/Sell Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Dwelling where Narcotics are Housed or Sold, Simple Possession or Casual Exchange, Possession of Schedule VI, Possession of drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Firearm During a Felony. She is currently housed in the Hawkins County Jail under $20,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in Hawkins County General Session Court on March 28, 2012.​

http://www2.tricities.com/news/2012...covered-church-hill-pair-arrested-ar-1771910/

 

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USA, Texas - Police arrest two, seize 315 pounds of marijuana in raid

USA, Texas - Police arrest two, seize 315 pounds of marijuana in raid

Narcotics investigators arrested two men and seized 315 pounds of marijuana during a drug raid Thursday night at a home in the Lower Valley, an El Paso police spokesman Darrel Petry said today.
The men arrested were Jose Muñoz, 48, of Chihuahua, Mexico, and Carlos Sifuentes, 20, of the 700 block of Lancaster. They were arrested on charges of possession of more than 50 pounds of marijuana.​

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_...wo-seize-315-pounds-marijuana-raid?source=rss

 

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USA, Florida - Cape Police find grow house operation inside upscale home

USA, Florida - Cape Police find grow house operation inside upscale home

CAPE CORAL, Fla.- On Thursday at 3:00 p.m., Cape Coral police officers discovered a possible marijuana grow house operation at 3829 Agualinda Blvd. in the southwest section of the city.

Officers contacted the Narcotics Unit who began surveillance on the home and began conducting an investigation. At 5:10 p.m., Javier Hernandez arrived at the residence and was contacted by police. After questioning Hernandez, who told officers that there was an elaborate marijuana grow house operation inside, a search warrant for the home was obtained.

Detectives discovered over 113 pounds of marijuana as well as 20 mature marijuana plants inside of the garage.

Javier Hernandez was arrested on charges of trafficking in marijuana and taken to the Lee County Jail.

“Excellent teamwork between the alert Patrol Officers who quickly realized indicators of a grow house and the Narcotics Detectives who continue to take down these operations. This one was a little different due to the location. This was not in an isolated area; this criminal operation was set up in the Southwest Cape. Probably the first one in the 33914,” said Lieutenant Tony Sizemore.​

http://www.winknews.com/Local-Flori...r-the-discovery-of-over-113-lbs-of-marijuana-