Crime Correspondent

Edward R. Ritter found with 19 bags of marijuana in his Upper Providence Township home

Edward R. Ritter found with 19 bags of marijuana in his Upper Providence Township home, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said yesterday. Ritter was charged Thursday with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. Only the third count is a felony. Ritter was freed on bond. News of the arrest caught the school by surprise. An engineering professor at Villanova who declined to be identified described Ritter as a "quiet" man who enjoyed a good reputation at the school. "I never saw anything like this coming," the professor said. Few faculty were at work yesterday at the Catholic university because it was Good Friday. But those who were in the engineering department talked about Ritter's arrest with shock. Ferman said her office was investigating whether any drugs were sold by Ritter on campus. Police say they found both marijuana and drug paraphernalia at Ritter's home. Ritter could not be reached at his campus office yesterday. His current status at Villanova was not immediately available.

Edward R. Ritter found with 19 bags of marijuana in his Upper Providence Township home

Edward R. Ritter found with 19 bags of marijuana in his Upper Providence Township home, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferma...

Domingo Cardona pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine

Domingo Cardona, 30, has been imprisoned since Sept. 21, 2006, when parole officer Sterling Wheeler found a marijuana bud in the freezer of his home at 27-1/2 Gilman St., during a routine, but surprise, visit.Wheeler arrested Cardona, and a subsequent, more thorough search turned up about $30,000 cash, bundled up and stashed inside a cell phone box; a 500 gram brick of cocaine in a duffle bag under a pile of clothes; and bags, scales and another $4,270 in cash elsewhere in the apartment.Cardona was on parole after pleading guilty to cocaine possession and sales charges in 2004, court records show. Cardona also had prior drug convictions in Rhode Island at the time.Cardona admitted to possession and six sales of cocaine, and was given several consecutive sentences totaling 5-1/2 to 27 years on Aug. 9, 2004, court records show. He was released to home confinement, with an electronic monitoring bracelet less than a year later, on July 1, 2005, however.Cardona moved back into the same apartment, and apparently picked up where he'd left off.On Monday, he pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine with the intent to sell, and was sentenced to 10 to 30 years in prison. He and his lawyer, Adam Bernstein, also agreed with state prosecutors Brian Graf and Jane Young that 2-1/2 years of his previous, suspended sentence would be imposed, with credit for time served since his arrest.

Domingo Cardona pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine

Domingo Cardona, 30, has been imprisoned since Sept. 21, 2006, when parole officer Sterling Wheeler found a marijuana bud in the freezer of ...

Russell Burke,Christopher Burke,Jeanette Burke Merseyside drug smuggling scaffolders

John Mullally was one of three men who masterminded a racket in which millions of pounds worth of cocaine and heroin were shipped into the UK in scaffolding packaging. Russell Burke, of Strathmore Road, Fairfield; Christopher Burke, of Babbacombe Road, Childwall; and Jeanette Burke, of Old Hall Street, Liverpool city centre, all face similar hearings during June and July.They used a legitimate construction business as a front for their trade. The 20-strong gang was jailed for a total of more than 200 years in July 2006 following a police operation codenamed Lima, which watched their activities for more than a year.Mullally, 45, formerly of Rutherford Road, Mossley Hill, was jailed for 14 years for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. Yesterday, he was back before Liverpool crown court for a Proceeds of Crime hearing, where it was ruled he should be stripped of £376,132 in cash and assets. Judge Mark Brown told Mullally he had 28 days to release thousands of pounds from several bank accounts.Thousands of pounds more are already being held by Merseyside police after being seized when he was arrested.Judge Brown also warned Mullally he would be jailed for a further three-and-a-half years if he failed to hand over the total amount within six months.Mullally is the first of three members of the gang to face being stripped of their ill-gotten gains this week.David Baker, of Inchape Road, Broadgreen, and Keith Burke, of Quebec Quay, Liverpool city centre, are both due to appear in court tomorrow. The gang’s scheme centred around a construction firm called KBE Engineering, which was set up by Burke in Aintree.Burke received 11 years for his part in the drug-smuggling operation, while Baker was jailed for 24 years for conspiracy to supply and contempt of court.The criminals had strong links with Spain, Holland and the Balkans.They moved scaffolding between Merseyside and the continent to give the impression of a legitimate construction business.While workers carried out genuine jobs across the North West, deliveries of scaffolding equipment were sent abroad for fake jobs.When the metalwork returned to Britain, its packaging was filled with huge quantities of class A drugs.The undercover investigation resulted in heroin and cocaine worth £2.5m being recovered before it hit the streets and clubs of Merseyside.

Russell Burke,Christopher Burke,Jeanette Burke Merseyside drug smuggling scaffolders

John Mullally was one of three men who masterminded a racket in which millions of pounds worth of cocaine and heroin were shipped into the U...

Purshottam Sondhi ,Bittu Atwal were arrested on the Rajasansi International Airport

Purshottam Sondhi was arrested on the Rajasansi International Airport road late Saturday night in a trap laid by the DRI officials, DRI joint director Deepak Rastogi said Sunday.Sondhi's associate Bittu Atwal, also from Jalandhar, was also arrested.In another seizure, the Punjab police in the adjoining border district of Tarn Taran caught a man Saturday with 4 kg of heroin valued at Rs.40 million. Three smugglers were arrested with the drug consignment. The total seizure of 26 kg of heroin worth Rs.260 million is one of the biggest hauls of the illicit drug in recent years.Sondhi had concealed the drug consignment in 26 carbon packs, which were kept among suits for women.DRI investigations revealed that the consignment was to be delivered to someone at the airport from where it was to be taken to Canada.It is not the first time that names of Akali leaders have figured in drugs smuggling. Earlier, Akali leaders from Ferozepore and Dera Baba Nanak area have figured in such rackets.But Akali leaders in Chandigarh denied that Sondhi was associated with the party.DRI officials said that the heroin consignments were entering India through Pakistan after originating from Afghanistan.

Purshottam Sondhi ,Bittu Atwal were arrested on the Rajasansi International Airport

Purshottam Sondhi was arrested on the Rajasansi International Airport road late Saturday night in a trap laid by the DRI officials, DRI join...

Alan Mills,Kramer Craft, Peter Gill charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Kramer Craft, 27, of Hinsby Court, St Neots, and Peter Gill, 37, of Penrwyn Court, St Neots were due before magistrates in Peterborough.Alan...

Tia Trout arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession.

Tia Trout, 445 Chipeta Ave., No. 20, after contacting her on suspicion that at least one of the brake lights of her black Chevrolet Monte Ca...

Hector Saldana Castaneda will spend 25 years in prison for a felony delivery of at least 5 grams of methamphetamine

Hector Saldana Castaneda, 41, must serve at least five years of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. District Judge Jeffrey Neary ...

Stacey West,Melissa Bernhard,Craig Mohring charged with one count of trafficking in heroin.

Stacey West, 21, from the 3000 block of Shamrock Drive in Morrow, was arrested on Jan. 30 after delivering the a controlled substance to a h...

Benjamin Ogbonnaya Ikeh accused of trying to smuggle heroin into Australia

Nigerian man has faced a Cairns court accused of trying to smuggle heroin into Australia by concealing the drug internally. The Cairns Magistrates Court heard the 39 year old man passed a total of 54 pellets containing 945 grams of a white powder believed to be heroin after being taken to Cairns Base Hospital by the Australian Federal Police on March 20. An x-ray had allegedly earlier revealed he was concealing more than 50 packages internally. The pellets are currently the subject of forensic testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs. The man was stopped by Customs officers after arriving on a flight from Narita in Japan last Thursday, prosecutors said. He was referred to the AFP after officials became suspicious he was concealing drugs internally.Benjamin Ogbonnaya Ikeh, 39, appeared briefly in Cairns Magistrates' Court yesterday, charged with importing a marketable quantity of heroin.If convicted, the offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years jail or a $550,000 fine.Wearing a black jumper, Mr Ikeh sat in silence in the dock yesterday. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody. The court did not hear details of the police allegations. However, a joint statement released by the Australian Federal Police and Customs Service indicated that the man was apprehended at Cairns airport on Thursday after arriving on a flight from Narita, Japan. Customs officers became suspicious that he could be concealing drugs internally and he was taken to Cairns Base Hospital where an X-ray allegedly indicated more than 50 packages.Police will allege the man passed a total of 54 pellets containing about 945g of white powder, believed to be heroin. In court yesterday, duty solicitor Kate Power said Mr Ikeh had consented to the internal body search.She said Mr Ikeh was a Nigerian national but had been living in Tokyo, Japan. This was his first visit to Australia and he had planned to stay for one week.Magistrate Trevor Black adjourned the case until May 12 to allow investigators to complete forensic testing and determine the exact weight, quantity and nature of the drugs.The arrest is the latest in a series of recent drug busts by Customs officers.

Benjamin Ogbonnaya Ikeh accused of trying to smuggle heroin into Australia

Nigerian man has faced a Cairns court accused of trying to smuggle heroin into Australia by concealing the drug internally. The Cairns Magis...

Avi Nashalti, Eli Klugman,Oren Mordechai,Eliezer Goldberg ecstasy smuggling

Authorities have arrested four people who are alleged to have attempted to smuggle thousands of ecstasy pills into the country from Europe, law enforcement officials announced Thursday. Prosecutors will file an indictment against the four suspects in the coming days. The first alleged incident occurred on November 22, when a package containing thousands of ecstasy pills arrived from Belgium. The box, which was addressed to an 81-year-old Italian tourist who at the time was staying as a guest at a Tiberias hotel, was received at a Haifa post office. Police say customs officials were tipped off to the ecstasy shipment and began a covert investigation in tandem with police intelligence investigators from the national office and the Northern District. Law enforcement officials say the Tiberias hotel manager, Eli Klugman, used the Italian tourist's passport in order to arrange for the shipment to be delivered under her name. Klugman, 35, picked up the package at the Haifa post office, where undercover agents were waiting to arrest him. Police who interrogated Klugman then focused their attention on another suspect, Oren Mordechai, a 55-year-old reputed drug dealer from the Dead Sea area. Mordechai is alleged to have been involved in the smuggling plot. Earlier this month, two released inmates from Givat Ada and Pardes Hana were arrested for attempted drug smuggling. Both men had earlier served time in prison for attempted murder, theft, and drug-related crimes. Police say one of the suspects, Avi Nashalti, 40, flew to the Netherlands, where he sent a package containing thousands of ecstasy pills to Eliezer Goldberg, a Givat Ada resident. Dutch authorities became aware of the contents of the package and proceeded to inform their Israeli counterparts, who requested that the delivery be allowed to proceed. Once the package arrived, police launched an undercover investigation which resulted in the arrest of both Nashalti and Goldberg. Police say the quantities of ecstasy that Nashalti allegedly sent are worth upwards of NIS 3 million. Prosecutors are in the process of preparing indictments against the suspects.

Avi Nashalti, Eli Klugman,Oren Mordechai,Eliezer Goldberg ecstasy smuggling

Authorities have arrested four people who are alleged to have attempted to smuggle thousands of ecstasy pills into the country from Europe, ...

Valentin Espinoz,Samuel Rodriguez ,Felipe Reyes accused of selling a large amount of cocaine to undercover police.

Three men are in custody accused of selling a large amount of cocaine to undercover police.Officers arrested Valentin Espinoz, Samuel Rodrig...

Lorenzo Cruz Jaimes,Fredy Jaimes Cruz,Addlfo Jaimes,Genaro Lara facing charges of conspire to traffic cocaine

Lorenzo Cruz Jaimes, 32, of the Hallsboro address, is being held in Bladen County Jail on a $5 million bond, facing charges of conspire to traffic cocaine by manufacture; conspire to traffic cocaine by possession; conspire to traffic cocaine by sell; and conspire to traffic cocaine by deliver.Also in Bladen County Jail on a $1 million bond each are Fredy Jaimes Cruz, 24; Addlfo Jaimes, 31; and Genaro Lara, 30. All three were charged with the same charges as Lorenzo Jaimes.Saul Calvillo Rojas, 24, also on a $1 million bond in Bladen County Jail, faces those charges as well as trafficking in cocaine by manufacture; trafficking in cocaine by possession; trafficking in cocaine by sell; and trafficking in cocaine by deliver.Juan Carlos Mendoza, 20, is being held in Columbus County Jail, also on a $1 million bond, for the same charges as Lorenzo Jaimes as well.A total of 11 kilos of cocaine, $3,000 in cash, four vehicles, three hand guns, two assault rifles, a farm tractor and several ATVs were seized during the searches, Bunn said. There was no conflict or injury during the bust, Bunn said.Investigators are still trying to determine the immigration status of the six arrested, he added.

Lorenzo Cruz Jaimes,Fredy Jaimes Cruz,Addlfo Jaimes,Genaro Lara facing charges of conspire to traffic cocaine

Lorenzo Cruz Jaimes, 32, of the Hallsboro address, is being held in Bladen County Jail on a $5 million bond, facing charges of conspire to t...

Seized five tonnes of hashish and three maunds of heroin, and arrested two ‘high value’ drug traffickers

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on Monday seized five tonnes of hashish and three maunds of heroin, and arrested two ‘high value’ drug traffi...

Alvin Macauley,Denise Blevins charged with second degree possession of a firearm while possessing with the intent to distribute

Arrested Alvin Macauley, 35, and Denise Blevins, 33, both of Roanoke, Va., and Cecilia Bullard, 28, of New Castle, Va.The arrests were announced by Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest and Warren Township Police Chief Russell Leffert. Forrest stated that the investigation began at approximately 9:40 a.m. when Larson observed a blue 1996 Cadillac with a Virginia registration traveling in the center lane on Route 78 East. Larson observed that the Cadillac was crossing the right and left lane markings and the rear license plate was partially obstructed, so he stopped the Cadillac. After approaching the vehicle, requesting driving credentials and speaking with the occupants, Larson learned that there was an automatic handgun under the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Larson then removed Macauley, Blevins and Bullard and handcuffed them for his safety. He then retrieved a black .380 caliber loaded semi automatic handgun from under the front passenger seat. While Larson was retrieving the handgun, he observed a vial of cocaine in plain view on the front passenger seat. He also found $5,000 and 50 folds of suspected heroin inside the vehicle. At this time Macauley, Blevins and Bullard were arrested. Macauley was searched and found to have an additional $1,400 in his wallet. Bullard was then searched and found to be in possession of 13 unknown prescription pills and one fold of heroin. Macauley was arrested and charged with second degree possession of a firearm while possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third degree possession of heroin, third degree possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, a disorderly persons offense. Blevins was arrested and charged with third degree possession of heroin, third degree possession of cocaine and third degree and possession of prescription pills. Bullard was arrested and charged with third degree possession of heroin and third degree possession of prescription pills. All three were transported to the Warren Township Police Department for processing. The Somerset County Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force was then contacted by the Warren Township Police Department to assist in this investigation. At the Warren Township Police Department, Macauley was found to have an additional eight folds of heroin in his front left pants pocket. A search of the Cadillac was conducted by members of the Warren Township Police Department and a member of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. The search yielded a marijuana cigarette in a Newport brand cigarette box located in the center console. In addition, police found a pocketbook containing one bag of cocaine, eight folds of heroin, 15 Xanax pills and a Nike brand backpack containing marijuana (under 50 grams) and a marijuana smoking pipe. Macauley was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $75,000, no 10 percent option. Blevins was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $10,000, no 10 percent option. Bullard was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $10,000, no 10 percent option.

Alvin Macauley,Denise Blevins charged with second degree possession of a firearm while possessing with the intent to distribute

Arrested Alvin Macauley, 35, and Denise Blevins, 33, both of Roanoke, Va., and Cecilia Bullard, 28, of New Castle, Va.The arrests were annou...

Lorne Clarke pleaded guilty to offences under the Excise Act

Lorne Clarke pleaded guilty this morning (Monday) to offences under the Excise Act as well as the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and the...

Jose Moreno,Joseph Muniz, Continental Airlines arrested

Charged today were Jose Moreno, 43, of Kenilworth, a Continental ramp employee, and Joseph Muniz, 55, of Perth Amboy, a Continental mechanic...

Allegedly smuggling unauthorized drugs into VietnamHuynh Kim Hoang,Du My Hanh,Tran Van Hiep ,Nguyen Thi Hong Thoa

Five former executives from the Ho Chi Minh City Import-Export Corp. (Yteco) will appear before the HCMC People’s Court today for allegedly ...

Richard Dale Halstead,was charged with felony possession of cocaine

Richard Dale Halstead, 25, of 1642 Riverbend Drive, was charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of drug-related...

Purshottam Sondhi allegedly carrying 22 kg of Heroin

Purshottam Sondhi was arrested by DRI officials on the highway leading to Amritsar’s Raja Sansi International Airport late on Saturday night. The Akali Dal functionary from Jalandhar was allegedly carrying 22 kg of the prized narcotic carefully wrapped in sheets of carbon paper possibly to escape detection during baggage X-ray at the airportContained in 26 plastic packets and wrapped in carbon sheets, the heroin was meticulously laid out between dozens of suiting. A DRI officer told reporters that Mr Sondhi was merely a courier who had been instructed to await a call at the airport parking lot after which he would have handed over the suitcase containing the narcotics to a specific passenger, whose identity is still a mystery. DRI’s joint director at Amritsar said the consignment, which could be worth well over Rs 22 crores in the international drug market, was probably meant to be smuggled to Canada on board Air India’s Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto flight. Mr Sondhi’s interrogation later led DRI men to detain one of his key associates, Bittu Atwal, from Jalandhar’s Sunnypura locality.Interestingly, after his arrest, an Akali Dal spokesperson categorically denied that Mr Sondhi represented the party.But this is not the first instance where political functionaries have been associated with narcotics smuggling.Two Akali men arrested from Dera Baba Nanak and Ferozpur earlier were expelled from the party and a Punjab police dossier sent to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in 2007 contained details of political patronage to the illegal drug trade in Punjab.Interestingly, the Tarn Taran police also detained three drug smugglers with about four kilos of heroin close to the India-Pakistan border this afternoon. The cops were however understandably tightlipped about any political connections that the men may have.

Purshottam Sondhi allegedly carrying 22 kg of Heroin

Purshottam Sondhi was arrested by DRI officials on the highway leading to Amritsar’s Raja Sansi International Airport late on Saturday night...

Stanley Val Williams, Kenneth Bernard Harris, Nolan Curtis Martin Jr. and Dwayne Lamont King pleaded guilty to conspiracy

Aristedes Victor Balbuena faces a minimum prison term of at least 10 years on  cocaine conspiracy charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah Griffin told U.S. District Judge Kristi DuBose that Balbuena sold 2 kilograms of cocaine -- about 4½ pounds -- to another drug dealer on Mardi Gras Day last year on Broad Street.Investigators recorded 1,200 phone calls between the dealer and Balbuena over several years. In February 2001, officers who stopped Balbuena found a shoe box filled with $13,428. The next year, Louisiana state police discovered $69,780 hidden in luggage inside a car in which Balbuena was a passenger. Balbuena has indicated that he wants to cooperate with prosecutors in hopes of a lighter sentence. DuBose set his sentencing for Sept. 12. Four Mobile County men pleaded guilty last week to federal drug charges that led to the arrest of a Houston man believed to be a major cocaine supplier. Stanley Val Williams, Kenneth Bernard Harris, Nolan Curtis Martin Jr. and Dwayne Lamont King pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. A fifth defendant, Wayne Maurince Lafitte, has also signaled his intent to plead guilty.

Stanley Val Williams, Kenneth Bernard Harris, Nolan Curtis Martin Jr. and Dwayne Lamont King pleaded guilty to conspiracy

Aristedes Victor Balbuena faces a minimum prison term of at least 10 years on cocaine conspiracy charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah Gr...

Richard John Ichihara has prior convictions for felony drug trafficking offenses

According to government prosecutors,Richard John Ichihara has three prior convictions for felony drug trafficking offenses that constitute a "prior felony drug offense." This can enhance punishment to a term of imprisonment not less than 20 years and up to life imprisonment in the event that the defendant is convicted of the offense of possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.Ichihara was earlier convicted in the Superior Court of Guam on January 27, 2000 for two counts of importation of a controlled substance and one count of possession of a restricted substance with intent to distribute.Considered by prosecutors as the local kingpin of the drug syndicate, Ichihara pleaded not guilty to the superseding indictment filed against him and his three confederates --- Jackie Yong Lee, Kum Soon Yoo, and Won Yiel Lee.Lee and Yoo also pleaded not guilty to the charges of possession, distribution of illegal drugs, and money laundering. Yiel Lee remains at large. During their arraignment last Friday, Yoo and Lee were both released and ordered to turn over their passports to the authorities while Ichihara was remanded to the custody of the US Marshals Service.Their trial is set for May 13. Ichihara allegedly distributed the drugs coming from off-island to local residents for distribution on Guam. From January 2004 up to the date of indictment, Ichihara allegedly distributed more than 3,000 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride and more than 30,000 grams of a mixture of substances containing detectable amounts of methamphetamine.Ichihara also allegedly imported approximately 18 grams of "ice" on December 3, 2007 and distributed approximately 24 grams of "ice" on Dec. 22, 2005. On Feb. 3, 2008 he was arrested while in possession of approximately 23.35 grams of "ice."

Richard John Ichihara has prior convictions for felony drug trafficking offenses

According to government prosecutors,Richard John Ichihara has three prior convictions for felony drug trafficking offenses that constitute a...

Cruz Jaimes’ bail was set at $5 million. Bail for the other five men was set at $1 million each.Cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $1

The men were arrested after a traffic stop just off N.C. 211 in eastern Bladen County near the Columbus County line about 5 p.m. Thursday. They are:Lorenzo Cruz Jaimes, 32, of 52 Charles Ave., Hallsboro Fredy Jamies Cruz, 24, of 48 Charles Ave., Hallsboro Adolfo James, 31, of 48 Charles Ave., Hallsboro Saul Calvillo Rojas, 24, no address available Genaro Lara, 30, no address available Juan Carlos Mendoza, 20, of Austin, TexasCruz Jaimes is charged with manufacturing 400 grams or more of cocaine. He also is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine by manufacture, possession, sell and deliver. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRharqSq4dP930HjRZyQlgbr3Qn5ZWdFPQi0BfTDSHLU5uN0dFi6zMf-l-f7WxvUky6VoeYy2rkCYGdlXiNhYYjK9wXAYrL3yx2aBiBmz3ICV6BFIlBWdk-LfR0HaZ3nd7OQkKdRocMVg/s1600-h/1b30322hwc-scaled.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180529157650843058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRharqSq4dP930HjRZyQlgbr3Qn5ZWdFPQi0BfTDSHLU5uN0dFi6zMf-l-f7WxvUky6VoeYy2rkCYGdlXiNhYYjK9wXAYrL3yx2aBiBmz3ICV6BFIlBWdk-LfR0HaZ3nd7OQkKdRocMVg/s200/1b30322hwc-scaled.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>Cruz Jaimes’ bail was set at $5 million. Bail for the other five men was set at $1 million each.Cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $1million was confiscated and six men were arrested Thursday, Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten said.Sheriff’s investigators in Bladen and New Hanover counties also were involved in the case that included the recovery of 10 kilograms of cocaine near Hallsboro after the six arrests in Bladen County.“We’re just glad to get this off the street,” Batten said of the drug seizure, one of the largest ever in Columbus or Bladen counties. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0CE-jKb6yTUl8VK2DR_DXLoxQAkb-O_1OH5bZhgiMtOSlHx3PmJs76wYZgba_I72HEVx105KGtNjqlijzNuH45yuOabsOVwLS3uoPxnbNfm14kQqvxGFEfHePgmVFUxP0ed3uIrxnOI/s1600-h/1b40322hwc-scaled.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180529157650843074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0CE-jKb6yTUl8VK2DR_DXLoxQAkb-O_1OH5bZhgiMtOSlHx3PmJs76wYZgba_I72HEVx105KGtNjqlijzNuH45yuOabsOVwLS3uoPxnbNfm14kQqvxGFEfHePgmVFUxP0ed3uIrxnOI/s200/1b40322hwc-scaled.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>“We’ve hurt a lot of people in the pockets; we’ve hurt a lot of people on the street who thought they were going to have access to this on the street this holiday weekend.”Calvillo is charged with eight drug related crimes, the other four men with four each. Calvillo is charged with trafficking cocaine by manufacture, possession, sell, and delivery, and with conspiracy to traffic cocaine by manufacture, possession, sell and deliver. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRA7p2mooC580TKBPv3ZY2edbhu8G1TMvdcV4y9bzu16eHfgaWb8BWj2XKOqA5-loVeoUEPH7SNxOv-RoNeza3y4SOZTfdeuOA_Rq5sTE7P_w1Pxkh_G1P9pWZUT2VBs7nT34WkGBb20/s1600-h/1b50322hwc-scaled.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180529161945810386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRA7p2mooC580TKBPv3ZY2edbhu8G1TMvdcV4y9bzu16eHfgaWb8BWj2XKOqA5-loVeoUEPH7SNxOv-RoNeza3y4SOZTfdeuOA_Rq5sTE7P_w1Pxkh_G1P9pWZUT2VBs7nT34WkGBb20/s200/1b50322hwc-scaled.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>Cruz Jaimes, James, Calvillo, Lara and Mendoza are each charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine by manufacture, possession, sell and deliver.All but Mendoza are being held in the Bladen County Jail. Mendoza is being held in the Columbus County Detention Center because the Bladen jail was full, Sheriff Steve Bunn said. New Hanover County Sheriff Sid Causey said his investigators have been chasing leads involving drug distribution in Bladen County for a few weeks.When the New Hanover drug agents learned Thursday that a shipment of cocaine would be delivered in Bladen County, they notified drug officers at the Bladen County Sheriff’s Department. Officers stopped a 1999 Dodge Durango and a 1994 Chevrolet King Cab with six men inside the two vehicles, Bladen County Sheriff Steve Bunn said. He was not sure which vehicle contained which men, but said a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine was found in the Durango.Bladen officers seized the drugs, the vehicles and $2,962 in cash.Drug enforcement officers in Columbus County “conducted surveillance” at 18 Roberts Lane and 52 Charles Ave. near Hallsboro, then obtained search warrants for the two houses and property.Charles Avenue and Roberts Lane are small, private drives in an area “matted with mobile homes” just off of Pameter Road in Hallsboro, Batten said. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LLvwUTfbb-W7umXgDixYy56pws-RQof07saJaNNbfFayFnKTMS5S7NdCRuXH6o5Xtlhc6bM6tIX_s4azGjli77B0CeIVr4WsusmW9XV4lgcj1aUqSsaWS9QedeJP0CCLpSPpuR6cQ90/s1600-h/1b70322hwc-scaled.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180529161945810402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LLvwUTfbb-W7umXgDixYy56pws-RQof07saJaNNbfFayFnKTMS5S7NdCRuXH6o5Xtlhc6bM6tIX_s4azGjli77B0CeIVr4WsusmW9XV4lgcj1aUqSsaWS9QedeJP0CCLpSPpuR6cQ90/s200/1b70322hwc-scaled.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Inside the Roberts Lane home drug officers found 10 kilograms of cocaine, Batten said. Officers seized the drugs, two SKS assault rifles and three handguns. Investigators seized vehicles and other materials from the Charles Avenue property they believe were purchased with drug proceeds, Batten said. Seized items include a 2005 Cadillac Escalade, a Ford Escort, a John Deere tractor with loader, a Frontier mower, a cement mixer, hole digger and all-terrain vehicles.

Cruz Jaimes’ bail was set at $5 million. Bail for the other five men was set at $1 million each.Cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $1

The men were arrested after a traffic stop just off N.C. 211 in eastern Bladen County near the Columbus County line about 5 p.m. Thursday. T...

Oral Watson leader of a North Jersey narcotics ring with ties to a violent Jamaican drug posse was arrested along with several of his associates

The leader of a North Jersey narcotics ring with ties to a violent Jamaican drug posse was arrested along with several of his associates, including a UPS driver who delivered cocaine for the ring along his Teaneck route, authorities said today. A joint task force led by officers from the gangs units of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with Elmwood Park police, arrested six members and associates of the drug gang on Thursday. They seized an estimated $200,000 in cocaine, $85,000 cash, a Romanian-made AK-47 assault rifle, a loaded Taurus 9mm. semi-automatic handgun, two luxury cars and $40,000 in jewelry, authorities said. The alleged ringleader, Oral Watson, 31, of Paterson, is being held at the Passaic County Jail on $500,000 bail, said Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano. Authorities described Watson as a Jamaican national who moved to New Jersey as a child and became a flamboyant ringleader who threw lavish parties in rented music halls. He owned a 2007 BMW and a 2004 Mercedes that were seized by police and a four-story Paterson home where officers found a closet full of designer clothes and about 300 boxes of shoes belonging to his girlfriend, a telephone company employee who was not arrested in the sweep, authorities said.Watson was arrested as he tried to drive away from a drug stash house in Hackensack, authorities said. His car rammed a police vehicle as he jumped out and fled on foot, said Ricky Rosario, a Passaic County Sheriff's Department detective sergeant and a member of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force. Watson was arrested after a short chase. Amilcar Caballero-Pardo, 35, of Garfield, a UPS employee for 14 years, was arrested Thursday at a UPS hub in Secaucus, Rosario said. He had been observed delivering drugs, which were hidden inside computers, to Watson along his Teaneck route, Rosario said. Also arrested was Dwight Donald Lewis, 37, an alleged drug gang leader from Paterson, Laura Kida, 39, of Parsippany, Carlos Calle-Munoz, 26, of Dover, and Fabricio Zambrano, 27, of Morristown. All were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The ring distributed drugs out of Morris, Passaic and Bergen counties and has ties to the Shower Posse, a violent drug gang in Jamaica, authorities said

Oral Watson leader of a North Jersey narcotics ring with ties to a violent Jamaican drug posse was arrested along with several of his associates

The leader of a North Jersey narcotics ring with ties to a violent Jamaican drug posse was arrested along with several of his associates, in...

Sara Wuchevich Young pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine

Sara Wuchevich Young, 34, formerly of Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, has cooperated in ongoing drug investigations involving her ex-husband and was given a reduced sentence by U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra. She faced at least 10 years in prison and has already served two years.As part of an agreement, Young pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine aboard a powerboat called the Le Go II that was outfitted with secret drug compartments and registered in her name. Young kept the drug ledgers for the operation that ran three 740-kilogram boatloads of Colombian cocaine from the island of Saint Vincent to South Florida until 2001 when federal agents intercepted the third shipment. The case was delayed in part because of ongoing investigations.Young also hired a crew for the boat through Fort Lauderdale-based Crewfinders International. Prosecutors acknowledged that she was never aboard the boat during the smuggling operations."She was basically a secretary," said defense attorney Ana Davide, arguing that Young played only a minor role and lived in fear of her controlling ex-husband, who she said directed the operation.But Marra didn't reduce her sentence on that basis.At 25, Young, who grew up in Pompano Beach, was a struggling single mom working minimum wage jobs in Fort Lauderdale when she met Robert "Bobby" Young, then a convicted murderer, kidnapper and trafficker about 30 years her senior."I was very young when I met Bobby and he put stars in my eyes," said Young, her voice straining to control emotion as she read her statement to the judge before sentencing. "I was a struggling single mom and he promised me the world." Robert Young is best known for his role in the execution-style murder of the legendary powerboat king, Don Aronow. In 1995, Robert Young pleaded no contest to the $60,000 hit job on Aronow and was sentenced to 19 years in a deal that spared him life in prison.Federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents said Robert Young contracted with Rodgrigo Chegwin-Vergara, who brokered shipments for Colombian cartels, to bring six boat-loads of cocaine into South Florida. In return, Robert Young received about one-third of each load to sell. Prosecutors said Robert Young made about $2,000 on each kilo he shipped. Prosecutors said the cocaine was hidden in secret compartments built into the boat. Once in South Florida, the cocaine was transported in large blue plastic containers and cash was delivered in 5-gallon plastic paint buckets.

Sara Wuchevich Young pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine

Sara Wuchevich Young, 34, formerly of Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, has cooperated in ongoing drug investigations involving her ex-husb...

Jacques Lavigne faces at least 20 years in federal prison

Jacques Lavigne, 64, faces at least 20 years in federal prison.After his arrest in October, Lavigne told investigators that he had cleared about $1 million in profit since he began selling cocaine from his Country Club Plaza home at the Locarno Apartments in the early 1990s.Lavigne quietly gave one- and two-word answers as he pleaded guilty to nine federal drug distribution felonies. He had no plea or cooperation agreements with prosecutors.More than 30 years ago, he pleaded straight up to 63 felonies for fixing greyhound races in Florida. In that case, according to a Sports Illustrated profile of him, his conspiracy stole about $2 million before prosecutors sent him to prison for 2½ years. Other than a friendly chat with investigators after he went to prison, he never cooperated against co-defendants. According to prosecutors, Lavigne imported up to 154 pounds of cocaine into Kansas City between 2002 and 2007, selling most of it to an associate who peddled the dope to a “white collar” Plaza area crowd. Federal and city investigators learned of that associate last summer and persuaded him to begin recording his conversations with Lavigne.On the day of Lavigne’s arrest in October, authorities seized more than 2 pounds of cocaine and $400,000 from his apartment. They also intercepted an inbound shipment of more than 20 pounds of cocaine from a truck in Lafayette County. The driver of that truck, Oscar A. Torres, also is charged in the case. Lavigne told friends in Kansas City that his name was “Frank Moran” — an identity he purchased in Florida before moving to Missouri — and that he owned several beauty supply warehouses in the area with a partner, according to court records. He acknowledged Thursday that some of the money from drug sales went to purchase a handsome collection of diamond jewelry, commercial artwork, a 2003 Mercedes-Benz and a pair of matching Sony 32-inch flat-screen TVs that investigators also seized

Jacques Lavigne faces at least 20 years in federal prison

Jacques Lavigne, 64, faces at least 20 years in federal prison.After his arrest in October, Lavigne told investigators that he had cleared a...

Siezed 18 kilograms 315 grams of heroin woman trafficker on a Moscow-Vladivistok passenger train

Russian police in the Far East seized on Thursday 18 kilograms 315 grams of heroin from a 46-year old woman trafficker on a Moscow-Vladivist...

Duane S. Collins found guilty earlier this week of trafficking over 28 grams of cocaine

Duane S. Collins, 48, of 154 Lynnway, #207 was caught in Peabody nearly two years ago and was found guilty earlier this week of trafficking over 28 grams of cocaine by a Lawrence Superior Court jury.He was sentenced Thursday morning to serve not less than five years and not more than seven and one-half years in state prison by Judge Leila R. Kern.However, the judge ordered that the punishment will not commence until he completes a recently imposed 18-month jail term he is currently serving on a Middlesex County drug case for violating his probationary terms,Assistant District Attorney Michael A. Patten asked for a higher punishment, 8-to-10-years in prison, based on Collins' record and prior drug trafficking conviction in 1999. Defense lawyer Russell L. Sobelman tried unsuccessfully to persuade Kern for an immediate straight five-year term, which is the minimum mandatory punishment for the crime, and eliminate the 18-month sentence he is now serving, but she declined. Collins was arrested July 6, 2006 after police discovered 38 grams of cocaine, nearly two ounces, in 34 individual bags in his red Ford Explorer. Police were called to Su Changs restaurant at 373 Lowell St., a little after 5 p.m., on a report of a drunken and disorderly patron at the bar.When Peabody Patrolman Gerald Fitzgerald tried to place Collins into a cab, he refused to leave and police arrested him for disorderly conduct and intoxication. Before towing his vehicle from the parking lot, police conducted a search and found the cocaine on the passenger's seat in a camera case. Collins, a lobsterman by trade, testified that the cocaine was not his, that it belonged to two men he had picked up in Gloucester that night, but the jury was not swayed.The judge credited Collins the 12 days he has spent in jail awaiting trial on the case.

Duane S. Collins found guilty earlier this week of trafficking over 28 grams of cocaine

Duane S. Collins, 48, of 154 Lynnway, #207 was caught in Peabody nearly two years ago and was found guilty earlier this week of trafficking ...

Karlos Megale Council has been charged with possession with an intent to sell/deliver cocaine

Karlos Megale Council, of a Barlow Road address, was dealing cocaine. The informant  described the type of car Council drove and his whereabouts. Reports said Edwards set up surveillance at Hawthorne Court Apartments on West Wilson Street and waited for Council to appear. At approximately 12:23 a.m. Wednesday, Council came to the apartments in the car the informant had described. "When Edwards approached Council, he took off running," said Tarboro Police Chief Robert Cherry. "Edwards followed in hot pursuit, ordering him to stop." As he ran, Council pulled something from the front of his pants, threw it down and continued running. Cherry said Edwards ordered Council to stop. Council complied and lay waiting on the ground while Edwards handcuffed him. Edwards seized a bag containing seven grams of cocaine, a scale and the suspect's car during the arrest. Council has been charged with possession with an intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possession of cocaine and maintaining a vehicle for the purpose of transporting cocaine.

Karlos Megale Council has been charged with possession with an intent to sell/deliver cocaine

Karlos Megale Council, of a Barlow Road address, was dealing cocaine. The informant described the type of car Council drove and his whereab...

Ashly Vincent Livingston,Edwin Richard Crawly were picked up on warrants issued by the United States and implemented in cooperation with the US DEA

Two Britons were arrested Friday in the Thai seaside resort of Pattaya on charges of using the Internet to illegally export steroids to the United States, police said. Police gave the names of the two detained men as Ashly Vincent Livingston, 45, and Edwin Richard Crawly, 44. They were arrested in a sting operation involving US anti-drug agents, police said.The Britons were picked up on warrants issued by the United States and implemented in cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).The men are set to be extradited to the United States as Thai police said they face no charges in the kingdom.The Britons, who were living in Pattaya with their Thai wives, also had 40 million baht (1.2 million dollars) worth of their assets frozen, police said.Livingston's wife was arrested on a separate Thai warrant for drugs charges, police added.Livingston and Crawly set up an online store to sell steroids to customers in the United States. Steroids are legal in Thailand but are a controlled substance in the US.Earlier this month, the DEA worked with Thai police on an elaborate sting operation to arrest alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who has been charged in New York with conspiracy to provide arms to terrorists. Bout is being held in Thailand while prosecutors decide whether to bring him before a Thai court before extraditing him to the United States.

Ashly Vincent Livingston,Edwin Richard Crawly were picked up on warrants issued by the United States and implemented in cooperation with the US DEA

Two Britons were arrested Friday in the Thai seaside resort of Pattaya on charges of using the Internet to illegally export steroids to the ...

Darren Rota admitted two charges of possessing cannabis for supply

Darren Rota, 43, who admitted two charges of possessing cannabis for supply and one charge of supplying the drug, was jailed for 22 months when he appeared in Tauranga District Court.Between March and November last year, Te Puke police received several complaints regarding Rota and other associates selling cannabis tinnies to passing motorists.About 7am on November 22, police searched Rota's Te Kahika Rd home. They found two plastic bags containing 32g of cannabis pre-packed into tinnies, utensils, plus $1220 cash, in a flax bush.Rota was arrested, charged and released on strict bail conditions.But at 4pm on December 3, police found Rota sitting in a Volvo parked on the corner of SH2 and Te Matai Rd in Te Puke.They searched the car and found $140 cash, zip- lock bags and drug utensils. Concealed in Rota's underwear there was also a zip lock bag containing 30 cannabis tinnies.Rota told police he had found the cannabis lying on the ground prior to their arrival.He planned to defend the charges, but pleaded guilty on February 19.Crown prosecutor Heidi Wrigley told Judge Peter Rollo on Wednesday that Rota had two prior convictions. Defence lawyer Craig Tuck said Rota was taking a pragmatic approach, but had hoped to be eligible for home detention.Judge Rollo told Rota that given his "ill- advised" pattern of offending - including offending while on bail - imprisonment was the only option.

Darren Rota admitted two charges of possessing cannabis for supply

Darren Rota, 43, who admitted two charges of possessing cannabis for supply and one charge of supplying the drug, was jailed for 22 months w...