Grillo mentioned another tactic hes seen in some states is charging dealers with murder if they sell fentanyl to somebody, resulting in death. 22 Arizonans facing drug and weapon charges following multi-agency Sign up for notifications from Insider! Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The bust marked the single biggest one-time seizure of fentanyl in Arizona history, according to Cheri Oz, special agent in charge of the DEAs Phoenix field division. An investigation began months earlier when Scottsdale police and DEA officials in Phoenix identified a courier suspected of transporting drugs for the Sinaloa Cartel, the police chief said. Federal agents and police swept across the region Thursday morning to make arrests in a major drug investigation dubbed "Operation Lake Effect" involving a ring operating in Arizona and distributing fentanyl and other drugs to dealers in Western Pennsylvania and Cleveland. Just four states New Jersey, Delaware, New Hampshire and South Dakota saw drug overdoses decrease during the 12-month period ending in April. Couple visiting relives getting hit by Scottsdale police officer, Tubers cool off in Salt River as temps hit 100, the major drug bust was announced at our southern border and along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. The unnamed business told police that they suspected Moore and Bender since Sept. 2022, claiming they'd stolen a number of items on eight different occasions. He said the Sinaloa cartel targets certain cities as hubs to mass distribute fentanyl. 1:48. Loss prevention had reported to have seen the two shoplift items such as baseball and football cards, among other items, police said. Arizona high school holds second annual drag show, Buckeye woman stung more than 75 times during family photo shoot, first responders say, 12-year-old Arizona soccer player suffers cardiac arrest while at practice, Bryan Kohberger claims he has an alibi, Jerry Springer dead, body found in desert: this week's top stories, What to know about Arizona Humane's waived adoption fees through May 15, Motherly instincts kicks in before woman is stung dozens of times by bees, Arizona family says its 'experienced lifetimes of love' as young soccer player begins to heal. Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital. (Even trained athletes have been caught off guard by getting dehydrated on Arizona trails. Record breaking meth bust in Arizona | ICE Nearly 800 pounds of fentanyl worth $21.1 million found in - CBS News 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The drug bust was a multi-agency effort. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The three men were found to be in possession of 714,300 fentanyl pills, 3.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, 6 pounds of methamphetamine, 3.6 pounds of heroin, 2 pounds of cocaine, and $17,039. Youre not going to take out the cartel that way, so its a very big challenge, said Grillo. "DEA Arizona is laser-focused on the Sinaloa Drug Cartel. 4,000 fentanyl pills, meth, guns seized from Phoenix car dealership - KTVQ Two individuals were arrested Saturday in Prescott Valley for shoplifting nearly $500 worth of Pokmon cards which also led authorities to find an assortment of drug paraphernalia . Criminal complaints show that the Department of Public Safety began an investigation into a drug and gun supplier in Phoenix, the Lindo Park Crips ("LPC"), a criminal street gang. It's coming in through people walking across the border. Yuma mayor Douglas Nicholls: Open border allows easier entry of drugs, including fentanyl. Arizona leads country in fentanyl pill seizures | Crime | kvoa.com An estimated 4.5 million fentanyl pills were seized in addition to 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and various large amounts of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl powder. Subscribe to azcentral.comtoday. In Phoenix, three men are behind bars, after they were arrested on Feb. 3 and accused of distributing drugs out of a used car dealership. Market data provided by Factset. It's coming in through passenger vehicles. DEA, Tempe Police nab 4.5M fentanyl pills, 3,000 lbs of meth during CBP officers at the . The alleged theft of hundreds of dollars worth of Pokmon cards led to the arrests of a man and woman who had drugs in the backseat next to a baby, Prescott Valley authorities say. AZ Central reports that two individuals ages 25 and 26 were caught shoplifting after a local . March 27, 2023 Contact: Phone Number: (571) 387-3831 For Immediate Release Drug Ring Tied to Aryan Prison Gang Indicted With 24 Federal Arrests More Than 1.9 Million Doses of Fentanyl Seized, More Than 225 Guns and Firearm Parts Taken Off the Streets Previous slide Next slide Fentanyl seized Seized firearms and fentanyl Seized narcotics ", First published on January 19, 2023 / 6:59 PM. Oz says a lot of the drugs are coming from Mexico. Misty Little's 26-year-old daughter was among those who died from fentanyl, not knowing she swallowed a pill laced with the drug. Phoenix, Arizona is one of those hubs. Approximately 135 kilos of cocaine, 140 pounds of fentanyl powder, 149 firearms, and $2 million in cash were taken during the investigation. Its killing our kids and destroying and tearing our families apart in Arizona but its also impacting the rest of the country, Mayes said. The seizure came as fentanyl continues to be a big problem, fueling . "That is enough to kill half the population in the state of Arizona. Chemical for possible fentanyl production seized in Tucson Pokmon card theft leads to drug bust in Arizona involving baby "The vast majority of the fentanyl, methamphetamine that were seizing in Arizona is made by the Sinaloa Cartel," said Oz. Record Scottsdale drug bust nets $9M worth of fentanyl - KNXV HOGP/AP Images. It's a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, DEA says, adding that traffickers are mixing fentanyl with other drugs to drive addiction and create repeat customers. The drugs, according to police, hold a street value of over $4.4 million. The massive seizure announced Thursday by Scottsdale police and Drug Enforcement Administration officials had an estimated street value of $9 million and may have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. The DEA has seized a record 20 million fentanyl pills nationwide this year, including more than 9.5 million in Arizona alone. The DEA. DEA special agent Cheri Oz said they have a plan to take out the biggest cartel operatives. 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.. Feds charge 57 in 'Operation Lake Effect' fentanyl investigation across PHOENIX - As U.S. overdose deaths reach a devastating new height, claiming a new victim every five minutes, the Drug Enforcement Administration has revealed a direct link between fentanyl-related overdose deaths and criminal drug networks in Mexico.These groups are harnessing social media platforms to bring drugs laced with fentanyl and fake prescription pills into American homes with one . SCOTTSDALE, AZ An estimated $9M worth of fentanyl is now off the streets after Scottsdale police worked with the DEA to make a record bust, equivalent to 1.7 million pills.. That means, more . The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Phoenix announced the arrest of Luis Ronaldo Nieblas-Beltran on April 25 who is facing a slew of drug charges and is accused of being involved in a drug trafficking organization. So, its a place you bring in drugs from Mexico, from Sonora. A multi-agency investigation targeting the Sinaloa Drug Cartel. PHOENIX - Twenty-two people are facing charges in connection to "conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, or both," says the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District . Still, if theyre being called out by officials like this, its something to monitor. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The DEA says the Sinaloa Drug Cartel is responsible for nearly all deadly narcotics flooding into Arizona and the nation. Drugs seized in 6 of the largest fentanyl busts were enough - Fox News After loss prevention identified the individuals, authorities set up surveillance near Moore and Benders home. An investigation over the past two . Officers with the Phoenix Police. Let's take a look at some of our biggest, most recent drug busts in Arizona. Press Releases | DEA.gov Arizona police, DEA seize huge quantity of opioid, other drugs in bust This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The seizure is the largest methamphetamine load in Arizona port history. The CDC reported in July that 93,000 people died of drug overdoses across the US with Arizona seeing a 33% increase over the previous year. On January 20, the DEA arrested three men believed to be distributing meth as well as pills. Fentanyl pills, meth, heroin uncovered in Phoenix drug bust - KPNX or redistributed. Through tracking that suspect, authorities uncovered the drugs, which, according to Walther, were found stashed in several residences and storage lockers inthe Valley. Arizona drug busts: Some of our most recent, biggest seizures Arizonas Family is working on obtaining court documents connected to the bust. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized over 2,430 grams of cocaine, 35,000 counterfeit M30 pills suspected to contain fentanyl, 26 grams of methamphetamine, 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, 32 doses of MDMA, 8 Glock Conversion devices, and 17 firearms. Arizona troopers seize enough fentanyl to kill nearly 800,000 people "Just after midnight on . Officials said the pills represented 30 million potentially lethal doses. Pokmon card theft leads to drug bust in Arizona involving baby. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. According to police, detectives were tipped off about the pair selling narcotic drugs. This is something the department does on a daily basis," said Sgt. Grillo is a longtime journalist in Mexico covering drugs and organized crime. We will not stop," DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz said in a statement. Arizona and. Officials said the pills represented 30 million potentially lethal doses. The search resulted in finding about one pound of marijuana, 8.5 grams of cocaine, nearly three pounds of psilocybin filled chocolate bars as well as a firearm. Tucson, Arizona Before dawn on Thursday, Homeland Security agents huddled to brief on a raid in a quiet residential neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona. The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, said in a Thursday statement that the three-year-long investigation targeted the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel. "On a recent traffic stop, officers seized 750 fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia, and a stolen firearm. or redistributed. A majority of the 107,500 deaths linked to drug overdoses in the 12 monthsending August 2022 have been caused by fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He added supply and demand play a part in any business, so if the U.S. and Arizona can lessen the demand for drugs like this, thats one way this crisis could improve. CNNs Sam Fossum contributed to this report. Campaign enforcement includesincreasing public awareness, as well as seizing drugs, money,firearms and arresting traffickers. The. of meth and other drugs and made 150 arrests. "It is another example of great police work. The Phoenix Police. Up to Speed Catch up on the latest news and stories on . Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized more than 50 million fentanyl-laced pills, and over 100,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, in the U.S. enough to kill every American. (The Center Square) - Arizona state troopers last week seized enough fentanyl to kill nearly 800,000 people. DEA officials say the primary supply source comes from China, but India is also providing fentanyl precursor chemicals to cartels. Mexican drug cartels ensure that the elements that go into making fentanyl are shipped separately, making it hard to stop the distribution. Since January, the DEA has seized over 9.5 million pills right in Arizona; 20,000,000 across the U.S., Oz said. )</p> <p>Don't Trailblaze: Enjoy the Sonoran Desert's beautiful and undeveloped landscape, but please stay on designated trails.</p> <p>Take Responsibility: Don't be "that person" - the one who wasn't prepared, shouldn't have been there for health . Investigators said the street value of the drugs is more than $13 million, while the fentanyl seized potentially represented 30 million lethal doses. The DEA has seized a record 20 million fentanyl pills nationwide this year, including more than 9.5 million in Arizona alone. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Moises Rojo Velazquez, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, has been charged by criminal complaint with. / CBS News. "That one bad decision she shouldn't have lost her life over. Market data provided by Factset. (Tempe PD). Task Force Busts Major Fentanyl Supplier - Phoenix, Arizona In addition to 360 pounds of fentanyl pills, investigators recovered 10 kilos of powdered fentanyl and 1 pound of methamphetamine valued at an estimated $9 million altogether, Walther said. This is a significant bust, but there is a lot of this drug coming across the border. Prescott Valley police officers decided to set up surveillance near the home of Tyler Moore, 26, and Brittany Benders, 25, after the business reported on April 19 they had stolen $483.45 worth of Pokmon cards, according to authorities. According to police, both cases were executed with the help of the Mesa Police Departments SWAT and Organized Crime section. Drug Ring Tied to Aryan Prison Gang Indicted With 24 Federal Arrests Mesa Police arrested Raymond Rivera Cabrera, 42, and seized 28,500 fentanyl pills, 7.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 2 grams of cocaine, $3,183 in U.S. currency, and a 9mm handgun. The target was a house where suspects possibly tied to fentanyl distribution allegedly operate. Pokmon card theft leads to drug bust and weapons charges in Arizona Neither case was related to the other, police said, but each resulted in the seizure of significant amounts of drugs. The suspects, Francisco Delgado, 26, and Jose Molina, 21, are now facing multiple drug-related charges. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Get the news that matters most delivered directly to your inbox. Published: Sep. 23, 2022 at 1:37 PM PDT. During the traffic stop, officers found $325,000 in cash, nearly 22,000 fentanyl pills, and multiple guns. Let's take a look at some of our biggest, most recent drug busts. This is not a recreational drug, he said. Both suspects were booked into the Maricopa County jail. Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. Stolen Pokmon cards lead cops to finding psychedelic chocolate ADOT says nearly 200 pounds of cocaine were found inside a truck. ARIZONA BORDER PORT OF ENTRY NABS OVER 500,000 FENTANYL PILLS IN SINGLE WEEKEND. Pokmon card theft leads to drug bust in Arizona involving baby For comparison, that quantity would fit into the tip of a pencil. "A number of the defendants are also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl," a news release said. As of Thursday, its passed out of its first senate committee and could be heading to the house soon. On February 7, the Phoenix PD's Mountain View Precinct Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) and the U.S. Drug . Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Career Pokemon card thieves were arrested in Prescott Valley, Arizona, for allegedly stealing almost $500 worth of trading cards, which lead to a series of drug and firearms charges.AZ Central reports that two individuals ages 25 and 26 were caught shoplifting after a local business reported a theft of Pokemon cards worth $483.46. Pokmon cards theft leads to drug bust in Arizona involving baby Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Arizona high school holds second annual drag show, Buckeye woman stung more than 75 times during family photo shoot, first responders say, 12-year-old Arizona soccer player suffers cardiac arrest while at practice, Bryan Kohberger claims he has an alibi, Jerry Springer dead, body found in desert: this week's top stories, What to know about Arizona Humane's waived adoption fees through May 15, Motherly instincts kicks in before woman is stung dozens of times by bees, Arizona family says its 'experienced lifetimes of love' as young soccer player begins to heal. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. The Scottsdale Police Department announced Thursday its officers and law enforcement partners have recently seized $9 million worth of fentanyl pills. Police Chief Jeff Walther. AZ Central Two people, aged 25 and 26, have reported shoplifting after a local business reported the theft of $483.46 worth of Pokemon cards.The April 19, 2023 theft was just the tip of the iceberg. The operation, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, was looking for precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, a drug about 50 times stronger than heroin. But Grillo said the big picture wouldnt do much to stop them. Couple visiting relives getting hit by Scottsdale police officer, RELATED: Armed suspect shot by officers after walking into Phoenix 7-Eleven, police say. In addition, Mayes called the Sinaloa Drug Cartel out by name, saying in part that they are evil. Such remarks came as the Biden Administration sanctioned key members of the Sinaloa cartel that provided chemicals for their labs.