Were looking at taking out the worst of the worst, and were focused on that regardless of where that person is located, said Oz. According to court documents, the incident began as officers conducting a search warrant on a cellphone from an unrelated incident and found a text message from "Fetty Jeff.". Representatives of the DEA, the Arizona Attorney General's office, and the Tempe Police did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Moises Rojo Velazquez, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, has been charged by criminal complaint with. All rights reserved. A grand jury in Johnstown indicted 54 people in two indictments, all stemming from [] Three suspects wanted for apparent Dairy Queen spoon theft in west Phoenix. TEMPE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) The Tempe Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration and Arizona Attorney Generals Office announced on Thursday a major drug bust in Arizona that took three years to pull off. During the search, Phoenix police found more than one million fentanyl pills. PHOENIX Four men are facing charges after a large drug bust in the West Valley. DEA officials say the primary supply source comes from China, but India is also providing fentanyl precursor chemicals to cartels. Four out of every 10 pills seized had a lethal dose. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. ", First published on January 19, 2023 / 6:59 PM. PHOENIX - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warned law enforcement agencies from coast to coast about a concerning spike of "mass-overdose events" involving the deadly and highly-addictive drug fentanyl. "Finally, Hampton, Wesley, and Gray face additional charges for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and Hampton faces additional charges for transferring or possessing a machinegun," the news release said. San Diego officials make huge fentanyl bust between ports of entry. Market data provided by Factset. Both suspects were booked into the Maricopa County jail. January 19, 2023 / 6:59 PM / CBS News Tucson, Arizona Before dawn on Thursday, Homeland Security agents huddled to brief on a raid in a quiet residential neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona.. Two men in Arizona were arrested last week after a state trooper conducted a traffic stop and discovered approximately 30,000 fentanyl pills in their vehicle, authorities said Sunday. The drugs, according to police, hold a street value of over $4.4 million. That is a proposed bill making its way through the Arizona legislature right now. All rights reserved. In connection with the investigation, the FBI also executed over a dozen search warrants on June 23, 2022, leading to the additional seizure of ammunition, narcotics, and 62 firearms," the news release said. The Arizona police announced a major drug bust on Thursday, where they seized drugs worth $13 million including 30 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl, a highly potent opioid. 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. Legal Statement. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. This is something the department does on a daily basis," said Sgt. While specific details of the operation werent revealed, authorities staged the scene with displays of the drugs seized. All rights reserved. The drugs, according to police, hold a street value of over $4.4 million. Arizona weather forecast: Triple-digit temperatures are back, but for how long? Some 700,000 lives were potentially saved by the historic bust, Oz said. 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. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Whats the white residue on the banks of Salt River? In a previous report, FOX 10 sat down with the Special Agent in Charge at the Phoenix Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) the day before another drug bust was announced. The suspects, Francisco Delgado, 26, and Jose Molina, 21, are now facing multiple drug-related charges. Fox News' Bill Melugin reports the latest on the drug bust. The investigation uncovered an individual who they suspected of transporting drugs for the organization. The unprecedented trove was found in several stash houses and storage lockers throughout the region. It's being backpacked into the country.". The operation, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, was looking for precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, a drug about 50 times stronger than heroin. (Tempe PD). A drug bust last year was hailed as the largest fentanyl bust in U.S. history254 pounds seized at an Arizona border crossing. Updated: 8:45 PM MST February 9, 2022 PHOENIX Authorities arrested three people and confiscated $446,000 worth of drugs after a long-term narcotics investigation in Phoenix. "It's coming in through 18-wheelers. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. According to police, both cases were executed with the help of the Mesa Police Departments SWAT and Organized Crime section. 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. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. And most of them are hidden in cities, towns, and houses and moving around. 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. 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. TEMPE, AZ A large-scale drug investigation in the Valley led to the seizure of millions of fentanyl pills, thousands of pounds of meth and more. or redistributed. And then theyll be brought into safe houses in Phoenix and then go to other places, Grillo said. 2 arrested after 1 million fentanyl pills found, largest bust in Phoenix police history. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) U.S. agents in southern Arizona said Thursday they seized up to 440 pounds (about 200 kilograms) of what they suspect is a precursor chemical often used to manufacture the. During a recent operation, agents recovered over 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 lbs. 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. PHOENIX A traffic stop led to police uncovering over $100,000 in cash, more than 45,000 pills and a stolen motorcycle in a large drug bust in Phoenix. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, (Mesa Police Department). "The Sinaloa Cartel is responsible for nearly all deadly narcotics flooding into Arizona," the press release said. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from MON 11:00 AM MST until MON 7:00 PM MST, Western Pima-South Central Pinal-Tohono Oodham Nation, Eastern Pima-Southeastern Pinal-Santa Cruz-Western Cochise, from MON 11:00 AM MST until MON 8:00 PM MST, Central Deserts, until SUN 5:00 PM MST, Maricopa County, Yuma County, Yuma County, from FRI 11:40 PM MST until TUE 11:30 PM MST, Maricopa County, from MON 9:00 AM MST until MON 11:00 PM MST, Northwest Plateau, Northwest Deserts, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, from SUN 11:59 AM MDT until TUE 12:00 AM MDT, Apache County, Marcus Wayne Wesley, 35, of Phoenix, Arizona, Philip Nathaneal Austin, 42, of Phoenix, Arizona, Alfred Wayne Wesley, 61, of Phoenix, Arizona, Lequisha Shantai Jack, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, Rayvontae Virshon Hampton, 28, of Phoenix, Arizona, Edward Jewel Norwood, 28, of Phoenix, Arizona, Michael Dewanz Gibson, 26, of Florence, Arizona, Joshua Jordaun Jackson, 31, of Buckeye, Arizona, David Andrew Connelly, 59, of Phoenix, Arizona, Terry Lee King II, 40, of Phoenix, Arizona, Lancer Edward Williams Jr., 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, Donald Eugene Reed, 60, of Phoenix, Arizona, Quincy Lamar Davis, 38, of Phoenix, Arizona, Christopher Duane Guy, 30, of Phoenix, Arizona, James Donald Estell, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, Terry Lee King, Sr., 62, of Phoenix, Arizona, Christopher Marcus Mitchell, 35, of Goodyear, Arizona, Murder, Money and the End of Days: The Lori Vallow story, Lori Vallow trial: Full-length audio files from inside the courtroom. Yuma mayor Douglas Nicholls: Open border allows easier entry of drugs, including fentanyl. ARIZONA BORDER PORT OF ENTRY NABS OVER 500,000 FENTANYL PILLS IN SINGLE WEEKEND. ARIZONA TROOPERS DISCOVER 46 POUNDS OF FENTANYL PILLS DURING TRAFFIC STOP. Grillo says traditionally, the cartel is much more cautious in carrying out murder in the U.S. rather than in Mexico. It's coming in through passenger vehicles. A record total of 1.7 million fentanyl pills, with a street value of $9 million, was taken off the streets of Arizona as part of a crackdown on drug traffickers by state and federal law. An Arizona man is facing federal charges after he was caught transporting 100,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, two pounds of powdered fentanyl, and six pounds of cocaine on Interstate 84 in La Grande, Oregon. Tucson, Arizona Before dawn on Thursday, Homeland Security agents huddled to brief on a raid in a quiet residential neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona. "This gang is known to distribute fentanyl and other drugs, along with firearms offenses, and other violent crimes," the FBI said. During the six month investigation, the agents took more than $200,000 worth. In 2022, DEA seized more than double the amount of fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills that it seized in 2021. or redistributed. 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. After an investigation, they were able to obtain enough intel to get a search warrant at a home and car in Avondale on Wednesday. The fentanyl had been smuggled in a pickup truck and made it nearly 150 miles north of the border, authorities said. Just about two milligrams of the drug can be lethal, depending on the size of the person consuming it, according to the DEA. Flood Warning is in effect DEA, Tempe Police nab 4.5M fentanyl pills, 3,000 lbs of meth during joint operation Drugs and cash have a street value of $13 million, official said. (The Center Square) - Arizona state troopers last week seized enough fentanyl to kill nearly 800,000 people. "It's that partnership at all levels in the state of Arizona the state partners, our municipal partners, and federal partners that really brings us to the success that we have today," said Scottsdale police Chief Jeff Walther, who said the seize was achieved in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency. Phoenix police say it is the single largest fentanyl seizure in the departments history. It's coming in through people walking across the border. Neither case was related to the other, police said, but each resulted in the seizure of significant amounts of drugs. He said the Sinaloa cartel targets certain cities as hubs to mass distribute fentanyl. 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.. Police said on Nov. 9, the Street Crime unit made two "huge" drug busts, seizing Fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. A joint investigation between Tempe, Arizona, police and the Drug Enforcement Administration targeting the Mexican Sinaloa drug cartel has culminated in 150 individuals charged and the seizure of millions of deadly fentanyl pills. The news conference comes just hours after the major drug bust was announced at our southern border and along Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- Police say two men were arrested after they, along with the Drug Enforcement Bureau, made their largest fentanyl bust in the citys history. "The vast majority of the fentanyl, methamphetamine that were seizing in Arizona is made by the Sinaloa Cartel," said Oz. The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, said in a Thursday statement, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Phoenix Police. A Pokemon card thief has been arrested in Prescott Valley, Arizona for stealing trading cards worth about $500. Investigators also seized about 50 firearms. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Arizona is a major distribution site of the deadly opioid, with the state accounting for more than half of all fentanyl pills seized by DEA agents nationwide in 2022, FOX 10 reports. In Pinal County, deputies seized 227,000 fentanyl pills from a smuggler's car. TUCSON, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Nogales Commercial Facility seized methamphetamine March 9 from a Mexican national when he attempted to enter the United States through the Port of Nogales. One pill can kill, one pill, one time., 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Walther explained that over the past several months, the Scottsdale Police Department in tandem with the Phoenix Field Division of the DEA had opened an investigationrelated to the Sinaloa Cartel and their drug-trafficking activity in the state metro Phoenix,specifically. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. 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. More than $2 million worth of meth, guns and thousands of dollars were seized in a Phoenix drug bust, the police department says. The three occupants were arrested for felony and misdemeanor crimes, including possession of fentanyl," says the Scottsdale Police Department in a June 4 tweet. Legal Statement. Mesa Police seized over 700,000 fentanyl pills along with heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine in what the department says was the largest drug bust in the department's history. 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. Law enforcement needs your help in spreading the word, to save lives. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. / CBS News. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The bust took place on Tuesday, and aside from the roughly 360 pounds of fentanyl pills, authorities also confiscated 10 kilos of powdered fentanyl and 1 pound of methamphetamine. NEW FRANKENSTEIN OPIOIDS MORE DANGEROUS THAN FENTANYL ALARMING STATE LEADERS ACROSS US AS DRUG CRISIS RAGES. 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. According to police, officers were investigating a person suspected of selling drugs, and after obtaining a search warrant, drugs, weapons, and cash were seized from the suspect's car and apartment in Phoenix. The investigation which charged 150 individuals was jointly conducted by the DEA, the Tempe Police, and the Arizona Attorney General, the press release states. Police said Cabrera was in possession of 28,500 fentanyl pills, 7.5 ounces of methamphetamine, 2 grams of cocaine, $3,183 in cash, and a 9mm handgun with boxes of ammunition. Two arrests . Let's take a look at some of our biggest, most recent drug busts in Arizona. You kill 100 people, theres still probably 100,000 cartel operatives here in Mexico, so youre not going to change that. Still, if theyre being called out by officials like this, its something to monitor. The seized drugs included 4.5 million fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl, 145 pounds of fentanyl powder, 304 pounds of cocaine, 3,100 pounds of methamphetamine, and 77 pounds of heroin, the release stated. Just four states New Jersey, Delaware, New Hampshire and South Dakota saw drug overdoses decrease during the 12-month period ending in April. The DEA has seized a record 20 million fentanyl pills nationwide this year, including more than 9.5 million in Arizona alone. Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers on Feb. 16 responded to reports of a single-vehicle . 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "The Sinaloa Cartel primarily uses trafficking routes that go through Arizona," said Cheri Oz, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Phoenix Field Division during the press conference. Grillo mentioned another tactic hes seen in some states is charging dealers with murder if they sell fentanyl to somebody, resulting in death. The surveillance on April 22 caught the individuals inside a car along with Bender's 7-month-old baby, and because the two had a history of illegal drug possession and inconsistent stories, it prompted a K9 search, according to authorities. The business owner suspected the two had stolen items from him on eight . "I want people to know that Cheyenne was a vibrant young woman that had her whole entire future ahead of her," Little said. Arecord total of1.7 million fentanyl pills, with a street value of$9 million, was taken off the streets of Arizona as part of a crackdown on drug traffickers by state and federal law enforcement agencies. Grillo is a longtime journalist in Mexico covering drugs and organized crime. Misty Little's 26-year-old daughter was among those who died from fentanyl, not knowing she swallowed a pill laced with the drug. DEA said the Sinaloa Cartel is responsible . The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, said in a Thursday statement that the three-year-long investigation targeted the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel. Pokmon card theft leads to drug bust in Arizona involving baby. In addition to sanctioning the two brothers running the network Ludim Zamudio Lerma and Luis Alfonso Zamudio Lerma the US Treasury also designated four other Mexican nationals and Sinaloa Cartel members as well as six Mexico-based companies, CNN reported Wednesday. Officials said the pills represented 30 million potentially lethal doses. Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. Mexican drug cartels ensure that the elements that go into making fentanyl are shipped separately, making it hard to stop the distribution. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "Just after midnight on . PHOENIX - Twenty-two people are facing charges in connection to "conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, or both," says the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Arizona on June 29. Border officers in Arizona seized more than 200,000 fentanyl pills, cocaine and other drugs hidden in vehicles during two separate stops over the weekend, officials said. FOX 10's Bailey Miller reports. Subscribe to azcentral.comtoday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Like the chief said, we are dealing with death right here, Oz told reporters. The. Through tracking that suspect, authorities uncovered the drugs, which, according to Walther, were found stashed in several residences and storage lockers inthe Valley. Oz says a lot of the drugs are coming from Mexico. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. Chino Valley resident Becky Comstock, 39, was pulled over by Yavapai County deputies near Dewey on Monday. By discovering just under 1 million fentanyl pills in an Avondale home this week, the Phoenix Police Department made the single largest fentanyl bust in the agency's history. In the same city, investigators say an 18-year-old admitted to selling fentanyl pills he received from a Mexican drug cartel. Its cross-border operations stretch deep into the United States, reaching states far from the border including Minnesota, Washington State, and Rhode Island, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. 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