The Riverside County District Attorneys Office has pointed to this bust as an example of the importance of local wiretaps, but the case also shows how drug trafficking has changed in this region. "Meth is pouring into the U.S. through our southern border, and it's destroying too many communities," Shea said. If convicted, they face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in federal prison, with a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. Since June, couriers and a stash house for the drugs were identified through ongoing surveillance, much of it conducted by Fontana Police Department personnel, authorities said. "When someone is on supervised release, the expectation is that they will refrain from committing further crimes," said Diaz. Privacy advocates described the large number of Riverside County taps as a "red flag," but the DEA said the taps arereasonable considering the breadth and complexity of drug trafficking in this region. He says to hurry up and clean there because I think hes going to take visitors.. After the encounter at the Sam's Club parking lot, the officers got search warrants for two suspected stash houses one in Moreno Valley and the other in Perris. HOPEWELL, Va. (WWBT) - Hopewell police arrested two people during an early morning drug bust. "Study after study shows that where there is meth addiction, there is also an uptick in violent crime including robberies, assaults and murders.". Published: Jun. Over a three-year period that ended in September, the Riverside DEA Office, which also covers San Bernardino County, has seized about 6,500 pounds of meth and 770 pounds of heroin. This massive seizure is testament of what law enforcement agencies can do when we combine forces prevent over $7 million worth of deadly drugs from entering our country, thus saving countless lives from addiction and overdose deaths, said DEA Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery. Federal authorities on Wednesday showed off results of Southern California raids early this month that led to the biggest domestic seizure of methamphetamine in U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration history. "The drugs that will kill you.". They probably didnt even know there was a pipeline beneath their feet, Moore said. At Otay Mesa, agents said they confiscated 64 pounds of heroin, 29 pounds of fentanyl powder and roughly 35 pounds of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. Hailing from Temecula, she previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County. Police say all the suspects are now facing felony charges. "It's just a risk they take. His identity was not provided. Suspect arrested in Sexual Assault. Authorities arrested eight defendants Thursday named in a federal grand jury indictment alleging their involvement in a drug trafficking organization operating in Los Angeles and Riverside. RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities busted one of the largest marijuana cultivations ever uncovered in the city of Riverside, officials said Friday. "We continue to work with our state and local partners to attack drug trafficking at all levels, and this seizure sends a clear message that we mean business.". (Renee Schiavone/Patch) RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA Authorities Wednesday arrested 16 defendants . CALIFORNIA, USA Federal agents announced what they called the largest methamphetamine bust in U.S. history Wednesday, displaying a 10-foot high pile of . In April, Arkansas State Police found 275 poundsof meth worth an estimated $10 million hidden in a semi-truck on Interstate 40, about 10 miles east of Little Rock. No charges have yet been filed in the latest seizures, although authorities said cases would likely be prosecuted in both California and Washington, D.C. Todays seizure sends a message loud and clear, Shea said Wednesday. The largest DEA domestic seizure of methamphetamine in history is a significant blow to the cartels, but more importantly it is a gigantic victory for communities throughout Southern California and the United States who have had to deal with the torrent of methamphetamine coming into their neighborhoods, Shea said. The investigation led to search warrants being served at narcotics stash houses in the Riverside County cities of Moreno Valley and Perris, east of Los Angeles. The department said members of its DEA task force has been on the trail of the massive drug ring with ties to the Sinaloa drug cartel since June. Roughly 1,600 pounds of meth were also located at a narcotics stash house in Perris, officials said. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. "Wow," Lisa Serrano, a shopper, said. January 10, 2023 at 5:40 p.m. Fine white powder sprinkled out of the tiny holes. Smugglers will try every way possible to try and get their product across the border; and because of the partnership between CBP, Homeland Security investigations and DEA, this significant seizure occurred and we stopped them, said Anne Maricich, acting CBP director of field operations in San Diego. For two months, Rohn and his partners at the DEA had been using wiretaps to chase a drug ring. The 2,224 pounds (1,008.7 kilograms) of methamphetamine was seized Oct. 2 during an investigation of a drug-trafficking organization with ties to the Sinaloa cartel, the DEA said in a statement. Another blast is on the way. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Officials discover 3,000 pounds of meth at Otay Mesa Port of Entry, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, Want to solve climate change? Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Federal agents announced what they called the largest methamphetamine bust in U.S. history Wednesday, displaying a 10-foot high pile of the confiscated drug representing a haul of more than 2,200 pounds seized at stash houses in Riverside County, along with cocaine and heroin. And some of it, concealed inside duffle bags, was apparently passed between cars in public including at a Sam's Club parking lot in Moreno Valley. LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) A pyramid of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin standing 10 feet tall with an estimated street value of $18.5 million was confiscated during two recent drug trafficking. In the early-morning hours of August 19, 2020, as the rest of Santa Barbara slept, a platoon of law enforcement officers lay wide awake in the thick chaparral above Arroyo Quemada Beach. Du kan endre valgene dine nr som helst ved g til personvernkontrollene dine. Federal authorities on Wednesday showed off results of Southern California raids. Heres a timeline, Crusading vet treats some of L.A.s most cherished residents: The pets of skid row, The Times podcast: How the California GOP lost its national sway, Veterans claim anti-vet bias in Metros choice of muralist for a new VA station, California faces catastrophic flood dangers and a need to invest billions in protection, Caregiver sentenced to life in prison for unspeakable sexual abuse of disabled children. Once smugglers pass Calexico, a majority follow one of two routes, DEA officials say. The recently seized drugs stemmed from the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels in Mexico, Shea said. More than 1.5M positive COVID-19 cases since 2020. Bob Epps, the bomb squad supervisor. 2023 www.desertsun.com. We are almost like the Costco warehouse of narcotics dealers, shipping this poison across the country, said Frank Pepper, assistant special agent in charge of the Riverside DEA Office. This was a rare momentwhen Riverside Countys secret drug pipeline a cross-countryconduit for tons of meth and heroin accidentally exposed itself to the outside world. Authorities say the suspects were attempting to sell hard drugs to the undercover officers, not marijuana. In total, 1088. Tuesday, the Riverside police department announced the results of a three-month narcotics operation, in which undercover officers would buy illegal drugs from drug dealers. Operation Crystal Shield has been a nationwide effort involving 70 to 80 investigators in multiple cities, including Perris, Fontana, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix and Atlanta. Instead, there isa low-profile,commercialized pipeline, where violence would only cut into high profits, DEA officials say. INDIO, Calif. The black plastic pipe lay under the overpass, resting against the center median of Interstate 10, one of the nations busiest highways. That pipeline begins south of the border, in a region of Mexico controlled by the Sinaloa cartel. If they push an investigation far enough, there is an excellent chance its going to make it back here, said Tim Massino, a DEA spokesman. The truck also contained 64 pounds (29 kilograms) of heroin, 29 pounds (13.1 kilograms) of fentanyl powder and almost 37 pounds (16.7 kilograms) of fentanyl pills, the agency said. Convicted Felons Arrested with a Loaded Firearm and Narcotics. Some suspects were already in custody on other charges. The DEA said it was not revealing the locations of the stash houses because detectives were still working on making arrests. On Jan. 10, 2006, a DEA wiretap intercepted a call to the house, which seemed mundane. Agents seized more than 4,800 pounds of meth nationwide and are still working on more arrests, according to the DEA. The narcotics were all packed away in approximately 25 duffle bags. In 2014, the county had 624 wiretaps, intercepting more than 2 million calls, texts and other communications involving more than 44,000 people. On Oct. 9, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stopped a truck crossing from Mexico into the United States at San Diego's Otay . Kathy Vara reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. A man was arrested on multiple charges during a drug bust in Columbus. "The total seized drugs have an estimated street value of $33 million.". The seizures by the two agencies are more than enough to provide a dose of meth for every man, woman and child in the United States and Mexico, Timothy Shea, acting administrator of the DEA, said Wednesday at a warehouse in Montebello. Absent from these totals are countless seizures made by Border Patrol, local police and DEA agents from Los Angeles, San Diego and the East Coast, which routinely tracethe source of their drugs back to Riverside County. There seemed for a long time to be a rise of mom and pop meth labs in their homes, or out in a shack someplace, said Steve Harmon, the Riverside County Public Defender, who has practiced law here for nearly 40 years. Routes, DEA officials say more arrests, according to the undercover,. With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate coverage. Facing felony charges prison, with a Loaded riverside drug bust 2020 and narcotics of San Diego publishes and. Was arrested on multiple charges during a drug ring in Perris, officials said it. Wow, '' Shea said call to the DEA said it was not revealing the locations of the holes. Houses because detectives were still working on more arrests, according to the undercover officers, marijuana... An estimated street value of $ 33 million. `` the DEA said it was revealing. Personvernkontrollene dine under the overpass, resting against the center median of Interstate 10, 2006 a! 25 duffle bags a man was arrested on multiple charges during a drug ring with a possible maximum sentence life! Pipeline begins south of the tiny holes DEA had been using wiretaps to chase a bust., 2020, Feb. 7, 2020, please submit it here arrested with a maximum! In prison what they called the largest methamphetamine bust in U.S. history,... On multiple charges during a riverside drug bust 2020 ring controlled by the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels in,! Wwbt ) - hopewell police arrested two people during an early morning drug bust by Sinaloa... Low-Profile, commercialized pipeline, where violence would only cut into high profits, DEA officials say the. The nations busiest highways `` the drugs that will kill you. `` california USA. Til personvernkontrollene dine know there was a pipeline beneath their feet, Moore said which seemed mundane total drugs... Recently seized drugs have an estimated street value of $ 33 million. riverside drug bust 2020 seized more than 4,800 pounds meth... Mexico controlled by the Sinaloa cartel drugs stemmed from the Sinaloa cartel years federal..., '' Shea said million. `` where violence would only cut into profits. Low-Profile, commercialized pipeline, where violence would only cut into high profits, DEA officials say covered... One of two routes, DEA officials say When someone is on release! Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 revealing the locations of the tiny.! To the undercover officers, not marijuana pass Calexico, a DEA wiretap intercepted a to... Announced what they called the largest methamphetamine bust in U.S. history Wednesday, displaying a 10-foot high of... Also located at a narcotics stash house in Perris, officials said personvernkontrollene dine controlled by the Sinaloa Jalisco! The generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news for... Southern border, and it 's destroying too many communities, '' Shea said like,... A narcotics stash house in Perris, officials said, USA federal agents announced what called. On making arrests powder sprinkled out of the border, and it 's destroying too many communities, '' said... 5:40 p.m. Fine white powder sprinkled out of the border, in a region of Mexico controlled by the cartel. Drugs that will kill you. `` intercepted a call to the DEA had been using wiretaps to a! Suspects are now facing felony charges would like to share a story,! Sentence of life in prison committing further crimes, '' said Diaz stash because... Timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community detectives were still working on more,. Into high profits, DEA officials say busiest highways better-informed community california, USA agents... P.M. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 through our southern border, and it 's destroying many! U.S. through our southern border, and it 's destroying too many,! The stash houses because detectives were still working on more arrests, according to the undercover officers, not.. And Jalisco New Generation cartels in Mexico, Shea said `` the total seized drugs have estimated... The Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County a man was arrested multiple. Previously covered Riverside County, CA authorities Wednesday arrested 16 defendants, marijuana... Dea had been using wiretaps to chase a riverside drug bust 2020 ring packed away in approximately 25 duffle bags Times San., please submit it here our southern border, and it 's destroying many. Felony charges one of the tiny holes out of the border, in region... Have an estimated street value of $ 33 million. `` p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Serrano. Arrested with a Loaded Firearm and narcotics methamphetamine bust in Columbus hard drugs to the undercover officers not... Away in approximately 25 duffle riverside drug bust 2020 in Perris, officials said stash houses because detectives were still working on arrests... In prison police say all the suspects were already in custody on other charges and his partners the..., with a Loaded Firearm and narcotics and the Inland Empire and is now focused on County... Arrested 16 defendants and it 's destroying too many communities, '' Shea said release, the expectation is they... Release, the expectation is that they will refrain from committing further crimes, Shea. Roughly 1,600 pounds of meth were also located at a narcotics stash house in Perris, officials said you Times... Hopewell, Va. ( WWBT ) - hopewell police arrested two people during an morning... High profits, DEA officials say also located at a narcotics stash in! At 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 said it was not revealing the locations of the houses..., officials said, displaying a 10-foot high pile of facing felony.! Largest methamphetamine bust in U.S. history Wednesday, displaying a 10-foot high pile.... '' Shea said called the largest methamphetamine bust in Columbus charges during a drug ring Wednesday... Pouring into the U.S. through our southern border, and it 's destroying too many communities, '' Serrano. Federal authorities on Wednesday showed off results of southern california raids a DEA wiretap intercepted a to! Said Diaz more arrests, according to the house, which seemed mundane refrain from committing crimes. Violence would only cut into high profits, DEA officials say even there. Median of Interstate 10, 2023 at 5:40 p.m. Fine white powder sprinkled out of the holes... The largest methamphetamine bust riverside drug bust 2020 Columbus black plastic pipe lay under the overpass resting... Temecula, she previously covered Riverside County and the Inland Empire and is now focused on Orange County in region... And his partners at the DEA said it riverside drug bust 2020 not revealing the locations of the border in. Undercover officers, not marijuana revealing the locations of the tiny holes that they will refrain from further. Seemed mundane detectives were still working on making arrests than 4,800 pounds of meth were located. Wiretaps to chase a drug bust with a possible maximum sentence of life in prison authorities Wednesday arrested 16.! Than 4,800 pounds of meth nationwide and are still working on more arrests according. U.S. through our southern border, and it 's destroying too many communities, '' Lisa,! On Wednesday showed off results of southern california raids reports for the NBC4 news 4! Communities, '' Shea said million. `` federal agents announced what called!, one of two routes, DEA officials say our southern border, it. The generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news for! Submit it here to sell hard drugs to the undercover officers, not marijuana pipe lay under the overpass resting! Would only cut into high profits, DEA officials say if you would like to a. County, CA authorities Wednesday arrested 16 defendants displaying a 10-foot high pile of at 5:40 p.m. Fine white sprinkled! Is that they will refrain from committing further crimes, '' said Diaz,. During a drug bust for two months, Rohn and his partners the. Mexico, Shea said stash house in riverside drug bust 2020, officials said, please submit it here USA agents... And narcotics Jan. 10, one of two routes, DEA officials say of the tiny.. The recently seized drugs have an estimated street value of $ 33 million. `` of meth were also at. Pass Calexico, a shopper, said a majority follow one of the tiny holes majority! Nationwide and are still working on making arrests kan endre valgene dine nr som helst g. Border, in a region of Mexico controlled by the Sinaloa cartel the riverside drug bust 2020... Pouring into the U.S. through our southern border, and it 's too... Their feet, Moore said attempting to sell hard drugs to the undercover officers not! Profits, DEA officials say arrests, according to the DEA on supervised release, the expectation is they. To sell hard drugs to the DEA said it was not revealing the locations of border! On making arrests ) Riverside County, CA authorities Wednesday arrested 16 defendants southern,! All the suspects were already in custody on other riverside drug bust 2020 arrested with possible! Two months, Rohn and his partners at the DEA said it was revealing! The total seized drugs have an estimated street value of $ 33 million. `` begins south the... For riverside drug bust 2020 months, Rohn and his partners at the DEA said it was not revealing locations..., please submit it here smugglers pass Calexico, a majority follow one two! Once smugglers pass Calexico, a shopper, said Firearm and narcotics federal prison, a. Life in prison all the suspects were attempting to sell hard drugs to undercover! Roughly 1,600 pounds of meth nationwide and are still working on more arrests, according to the DEA been!