PENN TRAFFORD CITIZENS FOR DRUG AWARENESS, 2016-22 by Penn-Trafford Citizens for Drug Awareness, Inc. Officials were hesitant to detail how they got on the case, other than to say they were following a tip from someone caught in an earlier investigation. Vandergrift has 30 women only and 21 men only rehab centers within 150 miles of the city center. But at least once, competition destroyed a case, said Torrances Marsden, calling it the downside of asset forfeiture. He refused to name the other departments involved in that incident, explaining, Dont want to start any range wars, you know.. Joseph Martier, of Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 1994 after pleading guilty in federal court in Pittsburgh to conspiring to make and distribute. Glendale and Torrance, which have among the most active roving drug squads, are awaiting claims for $7.2 million and $5 million, respectively. Torrance police similarly said a tip from a separate investigation alerted their seven-officer drug team and federal agents to a case that culminated in June with two arrests in Glendale and the seizure of a suitcase stuffed with $800,000, so heavy that the drug dealers had to drag it. The trooper found two traps used to conceal contraband in the floorboard, the affidavit says. How bad is it? Every year in the state of Pennsylvania, there is an average of 69030 admissions into rehab facilities. Its taken us a while to gear up, Cates said. Additionally, the authors, editors, sponsors, contributors, and affiliates of RehabList.org hold no liability, obligation, or responsibility to any person or entity for any loss or damage claimed to have happened directly or indirectly as a result of material on this website. They went in and got zero and we ended up with no charges on the guy. He was jailed in the Westmoreland County Prison on Tuesday, unable to post $30,000 bond, according to online court documents. In addition to meth and heroin, agents seized fentanyl pills, 15 guns and about $25,000 in cash. Copyright Rehab List 2023. My client is on bail and cannot live in his house . These rehab centers cater to women seeking recovery in a more comfortable setting where the mental, physical, and emotional struggles associated with substance abuse are given the ability to heal. What concerns me is the injection of a profit motive into our system of justice in which the enforcers have an interest in the outcome, said Gerold F. Uelman, dean of the Santa Clara University School of Law. Leaders of the most aggressive squads defend their long-distance work as part of the local fight against drugs. Prosecutors dismissed five charges when Lucero pleaded guilty in March 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to launder money. In his house, they say they recovered suspected methamphetamine, about 190 packets of suspected heroin and $385 in cash. Two of the charges she pleaded guilty to carry a maximum of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison; the third carries a maximum of five years. NBC News reached out to multiple family members, but they either didnt respond or declined to comment. Proudly created with. Before such laws, the Franchise Tax Board was the sole state agency able to claim seized property--and then only for unpaid taxes. A variety of methamphetamine drugs, valued at some $16,000,000, was seized during several multi-agency drug busts in North Texas. Sandy resident Jessica LeAnn Vigil was given four drug possession and distribution charges. Vandergrift, PA 15690. Other department heads say, however, that they will take up a good case just about anywhere in Southern California. Learn more about how rehab works. Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every weekday. We've received your submission. Learn about the admissions process at American Addiction Centers (AAC). February 11, 2022 February 11, 2022 akvnews. And quickly, Hamilton said, he noticed an officer from the hometown West Covina department chasing him in a regular police car. They arrested five suspects and found duffel bags stuffed with $1.7 million in cash and cardboard boxes containing 370 pounds of cocaine. At about 10:37 a.m. on June 18, the trooper spotted a car weaving in and out of traffic on Interstate 70 just west of Denver. In total, 33 pounds of cocaine and 25 pounds of fentanyl mixtures were seized along with an assault weapon and three guns. 2016-22 by Penn-Trafford Citizens for Drug Awareness, Inc. The courts have generally prohibited arrangements where undercover informants are paid on a contingent basis, because that creates a motive to exaggerate or falsify testimony.. "This . Under the law, the agencies would split any confiscated assets based on the resources they contributed to the investigation. His last one was in March, three months before the Colorado traffic stop. Joe "Jojo" Robert Rael, of Salt Lake City, faced six charges, including drug possession, drug distribution and money laundering. 1910 River Rd Unit 3. In exchange, prosecutors dropped two additional drug distribution charges. Youve got to remember what our primary role is--to get the dope dealers off our street in our city, explained Lt. Jerry Schultze, head of the unit. We show up crawling through the bushes and theyre there scratching their heads not knowing whether were cops or crooks, he said. Investigators said in 2021 that 27 people were indicted, but federal court records list only 26. And it looks like there are no other bad guys in custody, as far as we know, so that is a large-scale failure.. Compare Drug Abuse in East Vandergrift, PA. Access business information, offers, and more - THE REAL YELLOW PAGES . David Maldonado managed to drive away from federal drug agents after he agreed to cooperate with them. The states 18 task forces seized only about $7 million in cash and property through 1987--less than Glendale police alone. On an older Facebook page, he posted a comment in July 2020, lamenting how only nine people had reacted to a new profile picture. Weve got a record amount of fentanyl involved here, in fact, enough fentanyl to kill everyone in the state of Colorado, Figliuzzi said. It wouldnt be normal if you didnt.. The combined value of drugs, cash and proceeds of crime is over $950,000, police say. The arrests came during an investigation into what authorities are calling a "drug grocery store" bust. He initially faced seven drug possession and distribution charges. 9 kilos of cocaine seized in Brandons largest-ever bust, along with $450K and more. Get 24/7 Text Support For Addiction Questions. TV Q&A: Is a Pittsburgher writing for CBSs East New York? Erika Rachelle Vigil, of West Valley City, pleaded guilty in January 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute heroin. © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Brandon police have seized nine kilos of cocaine, over $450,000, three vehicles, and weapons in what they call the largest cocaine bust in the citys history Nov 28, 2022. Estimated read time: 9-10 Read more: From the adoption of the federal law through last year, California law enforcement agencies received $57.3 million in criminally generated assets, more than a third of the national total, said Tim Virtue, management analyst for the U.S. Marshals Office in McLean, Va. There are many treatment options available near Vandergrift, PA, which can easily become overwhelming to those seeking help. Under the federal law, confiscated property is held by federal marshals while the U.S. attorneys office notifies potential claimants of the seizure and places public notices in newspapers. Suboxone clinic. Laura Strickler is a senior investigative producer and reporter for NBC News. Hernandez-Alvarez is scheduled for sentencing on March 9, with an expected sentence of no more than eight years in prison. Prosecutors again dropped one charge when he pleaded guilty to the other in May 2022. Sal, a DEA agent, describes one of his first sting operations while tracking down a large drug cartel in Mexico. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribeGet More National Geographic:Official Site: http://bit.ly/NatGeoOfficialSiteFacebook: http://bit.ly/FBNatGeoTwitter: http://bit.ly/NatGeoTwitterInstagram: http://bit.ly/NatGeoInstaTikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@natgeoTenor: http://on.natgeo.com/31b3KocAbout National Geographic:National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Police say this group was observed to import multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine into Brandon and then distribute the cocaine through a sophisticated operation network of high/mid-level traffickers and local couriers. If we can knock those dealers down, seize their dope and assets and put them out of business, its a twofold feather in our cap.. By February, he was dealing guns, officials said. . Consequently, police arrested 10 people. I know nothing of (Maldonado) and I wish to not be bothered about whatever hes gotten into, one family member said. This story has been shared 115,589 times. The investigation came to a head during the week of Nov. 21, when police executed 11 search warrants in and around the city: We do have an ongoing dialogue with social service groups and the health-care system within the province and within Brandon here itself to hopefully have this gap in supply turn into some positive results for those trying to break free of addiction, says Deputy Chief Randy Lewis. Sandy resident Edward David Lucero initially faced six drug distribution charges and a money laundering charge. *. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Maldonado has two Facebook accounts but rarely posts. As of Feb. 9, six more defendants who took plea deals are waiting for sentencing. Cruz and his gang, investigators found, would regularly make large-scale narcotics sales in the $10,000-$16,000 range. Maldonado is wanted on two felony charges unlawful distribution of more than 225 grams of a controlled substance and introducing that substance into the state of Colorado. He ran on them after they worked the case, and that was their debacle.. All the seizures and seven resulting arrests were made outside Burbank. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 9 to two of the drug distribution charges and to a money laundering charge. 2. He was sentenced on Dec. 2, 2021, to eight years in prison with credit for time served, followed by three years of supervised release. Spawned by federal legislation that allows local law enforcement agencies to claim assets they seize from criminals, nearly a dozen departments have created squads of up to eight officers who specialize in high-stakes drug investigations, often well beyond their communities boundaries. Learn more about what this means, Recovery Centers of America at Monroeville, Community Counseling Center of Ashtabula County, Gateway Rehabilitation Center - Squirrel Hill, Neil Kennedy Recovery Center - Austintown, CAReS (Council on Addiction Recovery Services, Inc.), Greenbriar Treatment Center Squirrel Hill, Mon Yough Community Services Addiction Trt and Intervention Servs, Pyramid Healthcare Pittsburgh Outpatient Treatment Center, Greenbriar Treatment Center Robinson Township, Greenbriar Treatment Center - North Strabane, Greenbriar Treatment Center North Strabane, Outside in School of Experiential Education, Turning Point Treatment Center Outpatient Services, Greenbriar Treatment Center - Lighthouse For Women, Pyramid Healthcare Altoona Outpatient Treatment Center, Valley Healthcare System New Beginnings Prg for Women, United Summit Center Bob Mays Recovery Center, Pyramid Healthcare Erie Outpatient Treatment Center, Council on Addiction Recovery Services Westons Manor, New Directions Inc Female Residential/Nancy Hanna House. Now its how much car did you get? prior to there being any decision that the property was acquired illegally or that he committed any crime.. The suspects are Ryan Scott Ahern, 43, of Oakmont; Scott Andrew Kun, 39, of Harwick; and Dennis. Call Now - 844-825-5003. Suriel and the Cruz co-rep made their first sale to an undercover cop in October 2021. While Maldonado was in the bathroom, the trooper walked his drug-sniffing dog around the vehicle. The massive drug bust is just one of several made across the country each year. But it still takes an average of 18 months for local police agencies to receive the money and property they confiscate. Obviously the drugs, the cocaine, is coming from outside of Brandon but we believe the network itself was working within Brandon, says Sgt. COVID-19: What Grandparents Can Do for Children Living with Parental Addiction. Oct. 24, 2020 @ Penn Crossing. Prosecutors dismissed two drug distribution charges and a gun possession charge when Espinoza pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. When we have narcotics problems in town, they take priority, Price of Montebello said. 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You can even find exclusive or executive treatment in Vandergrift to make rehabilitation as easy as possible. Daniel Maestas, of Salt Lake City, was sentenced on July 15, 2022, to 12 years and nine months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. When the suspect sped away in a blue station wagon, both teams of undercover officers followed in their unmarked cars. The Brandon Police Service along with several other agencies, including the Winnipeg Police Service and the Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre, entered into a high-level interprovincial cocaine trafficking investigation called Project Banish in September 2021. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 22. The way we work now, the smugglers have control of the case and its up to them where we go. The trail always starts in Torrance, he insisted, perhaps with a raid on a drug stash house that uncovers deposit slips from an out-of-town bank. His federal sentence is running concurrent to three state sentences. According to the DEA, Morris bragged to an informant that he built the house and earned millions of dollars through 45 years of drug dealing. ( 1) Arc Manor Addiction Recovery Center. Don Goldberg, but their drug profits are being turned against them.. When he pulled them out, he made a staggering discovery: 48 packages of fentanyl powder. - 26 Miles Away. A spokesman for the Colorado State Patrol, which made the initial discovery of the fentanyl, provided a blunt account of the botched operation. You are not alone in this process, and admitting yourself into rehab is the first step to recovery. Madeleine McCann: Polish police dispute womans claims she is missing girl, Canadian cities cutting transit services could cause death spiral, researcher warns, Winnipeg police announce massive $6 million drug bust, Massive, multi-year B.C. We specialize in medication-assisted treatment, and we are dedicated to providing the most accessi. Through the investigation, police learned of multiple members of a local group of drug traffickers. "Those drugs have remained in law enforcements possession ever since," the official said. Police arrested 42-year-old Michael Medina from the. Such hauls, in turn, have helped create some of the best-equipped police departments around, financing helicopters, computers, night-vision goggles and other high-tech crime-fighting gear. The information does not count as actual medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat any disease or health issue. TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox. In addition, the Fullerton squad was not aware that a DEA task force was watching the same house, Detective Kevin Hamilton recalled. The squads are an outgrowth of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, which allows local agencies to claim as much as 90% of the assets they seize through criminal investigations. Salt Lake City resident David "Droops" Soto-Acosta pleaded guilty in August 2021 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The buy-bust tactics continued as Jenkins' tough-on-crime campaign aimed mostly at drug dealers led to the electoral victory that secured her place as the city's top prosecutor. As a result, most police departments have arranged for their seizures to be processed under the federal law by getting the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to adopt their cases. These tips will help you score the perfect beans to brew at home, Nature-curious? Fifteen out of 26 people indicted in a massive 2021 drug bust are serving a collective 97\u00bd years in prison and facing a total of 55 years of supervised release, federal court records show. George Deukmejian signed a strengthened version of the state law that allows police departments to keep up to 76.5% of seized assets and includes other incentives for them to process forfeitures through state courts. 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You want and information you need, right to your inbox Maldonado managed to drive from! And heroin, agents seized fentanyl pills, 15 guns and about $ 7 in... Noticed an officer from the hometown West Covina department chasing him in a regular police.. In Prison show up crawling through the bushes and theyre there scratching their heads not knowing whether were or! May 2022 downside of asset forfeiture police agencies to receive the money and property they confiscate cardboard boxes containing pounds! Prosecutors again dropped one charge when he pleaded guilty to the other in May 2022 pounds. National stories delivered to your inbox every weekday packets of suspected heroin and 385. While to gear up, Cates said have narcotics problems in town, take. I know nothing of ( Maldonado ) and i wish to not be used to conceal contraband the. Cutler said quickly, Hamilton said, he made a deal with driver! Abuse in East Vandergrift, PA. Access business information, offers, and ended! Noticed an officer from the hometown West Covina department chasing him in a police! Cutler said the smugglers have control of the most aggressive squads defend long-distance. In and got zero and we ended up with no charges on the they.