This case is actively being investigated by SPD and as part of a Career Criminal Task Force (CCTF) case in conjunction with FBI. In addition to the criminal conspiracy, Hicks is charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Fax Line:(816) 426-4210. Shubhra Mohanty June 09, 2022. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. According to a news report on 9/01/11, the Madison County State Attorney stated that heroin related crimes had increased between 30-40%, with heroin deaths twice the number of that in 2010. It was investigated by the South Central Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Howell County, Mo., Sheriffs Department, the West Plains, Mo., Police Department, and the Mountain View, Mo., Police Department. According to the most recent data, Missouri has experienced an increase in marijuana and methamphetamine use over the last two decades. A Drug Enforcement Agency spokesman told the News-Leader this summer the Ozarks has a reputation nationwide for meth,particularly the homemade variety. Similarly, Springfield investigators found more than 300 grams of ecstasy in 2011 and have seized a total of only 54 grams of the drugin the five years since. In 2018, Missouri drops from the nations top 10 list. Kansas City, MO 64106, Telephone:(816) 426-3122 All sorts of cars were pulling up to the house late at night and leaving shortly after, Flesch said. They took everything out of there, she said. Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug . Psychological distress and substance abuse are more and more commonly connected. Addiction Recovery Resources. - Just when you think police have the methamphetamine problem under control, it rears its ugly head. ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) - The DEA announces a major meth takedown in the St. Louis region. They know mine; I know theirs.. According to court documents, theDEA and local law enforcement partners launched an investigation into the drug-trafficking organization in June 2019. Two additional defendants were charged in one of the two separate, but related, superseding indictments returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Feb. 18, for a total of 21 defendants in those two cases. (KY3) - A trooper from the Missouri State Highway Patrol made a huge drug bust Monday during a traffic stop in Saline County. The trooper found 88 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on Interstate 70 at mile marker 79, about 50 miles west of Columbia. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The majority of those entering treatment were 21-25 years olds. Hicks allegedly was in possession of a Rohm .22-caliber revolver, a Lorcin .380-caliber pistol, a Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol, an FMJ .45-caliber derringer, a Jimenez Arms .22-caliber pistol, a Marlin .22-caliber rifle, a Browning 16-gauge shotgun, and a Remington .30-06 caliber rifle on July 24, 2018. But now it just seems that theyre acutely intoxicated and they come in with altered mental status.. The U.S. attorney's office for the Western District of Missouri said 15 residents of Joplin and Carl Junction were charged in a 41-count indictment returned under seal by a grand jury in . Reece said LSD and ecstasy aren't the highest priorities for his investigators, simply because they don't see much of either drug. The officers repeatedly circled around the house, she said. A lock ( The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control serves as the collection and entry point for statewide methamphetamine laboratory seizures. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Missouri was once known as the meth capital of the U.S. Now the drug is coming from major distributors Reece said he does not think meth use has increased tenfold over the last six years. Additional charges and more defendants have been added to two federal indictments that now charge a total of 21 defendants for their roles in separate conspiracies to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Springfield, Mo., area, resulting in the overdose deaths of at least two people. On the county level, the number of busts and seizures decreases from nearly 200 to just three. Unfortunately we know a lot of them on a first name basis, Jones said. Reece said those spikes were likely the result of a couple of big seizures and not a reflection of increased use of the drugs in Springfield. A decade later, that many people died in Greene County just in the first two months of 2020. "We get the occasional hit on those," Reece said. Meth ring: Springfield woman at'ground zero' of drug ring gets 22 months in prison. (Six other defendants have been indicted in separate, but related, cases). Martin said there are about 460 patients consistently receiving treatment from Behavioral Health Group in Springfield, and the company is preparing to open a second location on the north side of town. In terms of drugs, property andmoney seized, arrestsmade, and dealers sentenced, it was one of the most successful operations in recent years. The national opioid crisis has not missed Springfield. These prosecutor-led co-located Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships that can be forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who remain together over time, and they epitomize the model that has proven most effective in combating organized crime. The injuries theyre coming in with are different, Jones explains. "This significant seizure not only puts a stop to this distribution ring, but also shows that our Narcotics Unit continues to get deadly drugs off the street, while arresting the right people," Police Commissioner John Barbieri said in a statement. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In a separate but related case, Derrick E. Dailey, also known as Cuzzo, 34, William C. Farisse, also known as Wack, 33, Roderick L. Stewart, 35, Antwanae L. Morgan, 29, Robert D. Everette, 40, and Dominique Glosson, 26, all of Springfield, were among those charged in November and December 2019. The only person who didn't plead guilty was Robert A. Edson, who has eluded capture for years. . The superseding indictment replaces an earlier indictment and includes additional defendants. The Greene County Medical Examiner's Office says there have been 56 confirmed drug overdose deaths in the county this year and several more cases are still pending complete results. Its awful, Romine said. The percent between men and women for other opiate addiction was fairly equal. When the weather is nice, Flesch, who's in her 60s now, likes to sit outside on her front porch and letthe dogs play in the yard. Room 5510 'You either open the door or were gonna kick it in,'" Flesch recalled an officer saying. (WWLP) - Springfield Police have arrested two men and seized heroin, two rifles and more than $16,000 in cash Wednesday evening . KANSAS CITY, Mo. More guns and more meth were found. Methamphetamine has devastating effects on drug users and can lead to memory loss, "meth mouth," overdose and death. Court documents note that Tapia had abused drugs from as young as 14, but they don't explain how he became one of the ring's richest sourcesof meth in 2013 and 2014. Over the last six years, the drug that police have seized the most, in terms of weight, is marijuana. (KY3) - Officers with the Springfield Police Department's Special Investigations Unit made a large drug bust after serving a search warrant on August 6. We focus more on the harder scale drugs like meth and heroin. In 2009, the Treatment Episode Data Set indicated that 48,628 people entered drug and alcohol rehabs in Missouri. Its a waiting game. Rodriguez also is charged with one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. There were 16 law enforcement task forces in 2007 to work in the areas of Missouri with the biggest threat of drug trafficking, sales, and use. [vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=866-812-8231 style=custom custom_background=#81387d custom_text=#ffffff shape=square size=lg i_type=entypo i_icon_entypo=entypo-icon entypo-icon-phone css_animation=bounceIn add_icon=true link=url:tel%3A866-812-8231|||][/vc_column][/vc_row]. "But there's no upward trend toward LSD or ecstasy use.". Two men from California face drug trafficking charges in that investigation. Have a question about Government Services? Police seize a pound of heroin during arrest in Springfield, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Springfield police ask for help to identify suspects after SUV hit a gas pump, Insect found outside Arkansas Walmart identified as Jurassic-era insect, Missouri State falls short in MVC quarterfinals against Southern Illinois, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard accident. We invite you to share your journey of recovery and be featured on Recovery Connection! Largest Meth Bust in Missouri BootheelBy: CJ Cassidy. Faced with decades in federal prison, people started flipping. 673 people were treated for cocaine/crack addiction who used the drug other than smoking it. "The demand for our services has not decreased at all.". Eleven residents in the Kansas City, Missouri, and St. Joseph, Missouri, areas have been added to a federal indictment that now charges a total of 25 defendants for their roles in a $4.1 million drug-trafficking conspiracy that distributed more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine over three years. Wheeler allegedly possessed a Sig Sauer .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol, an Izhmash .308-caliber semi-automatic rifle, and a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 14, 2019. To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com, Greene County traffic stop leads MSHP to 110 pounds of marijuana, National Park Service says never push a slower friend down when escaping a bear, Springfield police ask for help to identify suspects after SUV hit a gas pump, Insect found outside Arkansas Walmart identified as Jurassic-era insect, Missouri State falls short in MVC quarterfinals against Southern Illinois, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard accident. That year, the Greene County coroner recorded 7 deaths from the drug. Room 5510 Hill is also charged with attempting to escape from the custody of a DEA agent after being arrested. SALINE COUNTY, Mo. Bedell is also charged with two counts of distributing heroin and/or fentanyl, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. On Thanksgiving 2014, Flesch fixed dinner, put on a jacket and sat out front. In fact, the first entry in Urban Dictionary defines 417 as, the area of the country with the largest number of meth busts, located in Southwest Missouri.. "Everything went to hell in a handbasket, Flesch said. Tapia, 44,loved baseball, they said, and taught the sport to others. That indictment was unsealed and made public today upon the arrests and initial court appearances of Hicks, Ortega, Griffin, Cooper, and Ross. "I think the problem is only continuing to skyrocket and blossom in our community," Martin said. Noose, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Taurus .38-caliber revolver on Feb. 11, 2019. Most people in the conspiracy had no interactionswith anybody outside a few other members of the meth ring. Mercy Hospitals Emergency Room in Springfield often treats drug addicts. Thankful he lived to tell the story, the thought of rock bottom brings tears to Pickens eyes. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. "I want to thank the leadership of Commissioner Barbieri, D.A. 'Everything went to hell in a handbasket'. They, along with additional defendants Solomon Hodges, also known as Little Daddy, 60, and Cordaroe D. Sims, 33, all of Springfield, were charged in a 30-count superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. The superseding indictments also include additional charges against several defendants related to drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms, including a new charge in each of the two cases related to overdose deaths that resulted from fentanyl trafficking. Noose also is charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine in Greene County and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The most common form of ingestion was smoking. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Glosson is also charged with one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and two counts of being an unlawful user of controlled substances (heroin) in possession of firearms. These figures can be verified by contacting the Missouri State Highway Patrol at 573-526-6305. A Kansas City, Mo., man who was arrested last night during the police standoff in the 2300 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard has been charged in federal court for offenses A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine after leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed A Joplin and Webb City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. Glosson was allegedly in possession of a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Oct. 23, 2019. But the total weight of meth seized by Springfield investigatorsthis year is more than 10 times what they took off the streets in 2011. Saving Your Career and Life While in Rehab. Earlier that day, police overheard them setting up a buy. Detectives made the largest every buy ever, 8.8lbs of meth. "The increase is a concern," Reece said. A lock ( Leath allegedly possessed an RG .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Ruger .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Dec. 14, 2018, and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol on May 22, 2019. In 2010, Missouri became one more state in the nation to implement the prescription data base. Bobbie Lynn King, 51, and Patricia Gail Nelson, also known as Mama Pat, 60, both of Kansas City, Missouri; Michael Glen Zieger, also known as Lees Summit Mike, 43, of Lees Summit, Missouri; Amanda Leigh Watson, 33, of St. Joseph, Missouri; and Logan Tanner Laws, 28, of Shelbina, Missouri, were arrested on July 23, 2020, after being charged in a six-count superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City on July 21, 2020. Christopher Brian Rogan, 44, no known address, was also charged in the superseding indictment and is a fugitive from justice. The trooper found 88 pounds of. "But it's not our focus. Court documents note that. But while the reputation and the demand arethere, Reece said Springfield is no longer a producer of domestic meth. "In terms of quantity, meth is still our biggest problem here," Garrison told the News-Leader in July. -- Twenty-five people were charged Monday with taking part in a drug ring that allegedly trafficked more than . On an average weekday, hecould look out his front picture window and see children running around themulti-color playground of Sunshine Elementary School directly across the street. For two months, she sat and watched her new neighbors a woman she called "tattoo lady," a man, and a young boy and girl. According to the indictment, conspirators received $4,160,000 in exchange for the unlawful distribution of more than 520 kilograms of methamphetamine, based on an average street price of $8,000 per kilogram of methamphetamine. Griffin, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Ruger .22-caliber pistol on Nov. 26, 2018. MSHP says the drug bust happened around 9 a.m. on Interstate 44 near mile marker 82. Tapia declined an interview request from the News-Leader. Worsham, Sims, and Lindsey are each also charged with one count of possessing heroin and/or fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Police estimated that the seized drugs are worth between $600,000 and $700,000. Affidavits cite numerous undercover and controlled drug purchases, as well as seizures of heroin, fentanyl, and large amounts of cash. That tan, single-story home was rented by Harmon, but shewasn't there the night of the Thanksgiving raid. "Our meth has stayed pretty stable," Reece said. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Rhoades. ; Markus Michael A. Patterson, 37, of Grandview, Mo. GREENE COUNTY, Mo. In total over the last six years, the Springfield Police Department's investigative units seized 251,520 grams of marijuana, 81,713 grams of meth, 1,122 grams of cocaine, 4,751 grams of heroin . More: Meth ringthat plagued the Ozarks could cost taxpayers $11 million in prison. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. All rights reserved (About Us). The trooper had stopped a driver for a traffic violation in Saline County. What do the orange, green dots on my iPhone mean? How Can a Florida Heroin Rehab Center Help Me? Marlin Martin is theregional director for Behavioral Health Group,a local provider of opioid addiction treatment. The raid stemmed from a two month investigation of an alleged "stash house" for a Holyoke-based drug ring at 1251 Bay Street in Springfield, police said. In 2018, 32 people died. Lock The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justices drug supply reduction strategy. 400 East 9th Street Tomorrow, KOLR 10s investigation continues: after addiction, learn how a local program is helping addicts get sober and stay sober. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the FBI, and the Buchanan County, Mo., Sheriffs Department. After years of wiretaps, surveillance, drug busts, three rounds of indictments, dozens of press releases,andyears of court proceedings, the last member of the ring is expected to be sentenced within the next month. I didnt really care where it came from, Pickens said. Banasik told the News-Leader last yearthe Springfield market hadbeen inundated with high-grade marijuana from Colorado and other states where the drug is legal for recreational use. Of that number, 68.5 % were male and 31.5% were female. Earlier this week, troopers confiscated 187 pounds of marijuana from a vehicle in Webster County. Hopefully, all this hard work does not go for want - due to some of our judges in our court system,"Sarno said in a statement. Leath is also charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A superseding indictment in April 2015 raised the number to 19, then 10 more were tacked on in a second superseding indictment three months later. ; Phillip Tra Joseph Hoyt, 43, of St. Joseph, Kenneth James McClure, 41, of Kingdom City, Missouri; Christapher Dean Parton, 31, of St. Joseph, and Marion Douglas McCrorey Jr., 40, of Rich Hill, Missouri, each of whom are already in custody on unrelated state and federal cases, were charged in the superseding indictment. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States. There were 257 addiction treatment facilities in 2006. I just wanted to get high.. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Kansas City, MO 64106, Telephone:(816) 426-3122 When Friend finally gets sentenced, that will be the end of the ring. Other Opiates Each of the defendants, with the exception of Kibodeaux, Rogan, and McClure, are charged together with possessing multiple firearms in furtherance of violent crimes and drug-trafficking crimes. Meth ringthat plagued the Ozarks could cost taxpayers $11 million in prison. Drug only admissions comprised 45% of all admissions have tripled from 1992 to 2006. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. Updated: Apr 15, 2021 / 07:37 PM EDT. Jones describes death by meth as slow over time. For drug dependency and unmet treatment needs, the figures varied greatly from year to year. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Springfield police say they have recovered only seven meth labs in the city this year, compared to 108 in 2011. Carlos Tapia, a man they knew as a dedicated father with no criminal history, was a drug mule. Flesch said she would wave to "tattoo lady," but she never waved back. Marijuana Get information related to substance abuse in Missouri. Heroin "So they opened the door.". All loss of hope, eating out of dumpsters so I wouldnt be hungry.. Additionally, Farisse and Everett also are charged together in one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, the use of which caused the death of another person (who is not identified in court documents), and one count of distributing fentanyl on or about Oct. 17, 2019, which caused the death of this person. Major Springfield Drug Bust Part of Year-Long Investigation by: Lindsay Clein. Any street corner, any hotel room you go to around here, you can find meth, Cody Pickens, a recovered meth addict, told KOLR 10. While many Americans were putting turkeys in ovens, watching football in the living room, or driving to their grandmothers' houses, officers were listening to the phone calls of Friend and Harmon. "It's. 3,277 people were admitted to treatment for cocaine addiction. All rights reserved. Missouri had the most meth lab busts in the country that year. Reece said heroin cases are a priority for his detectives in the special investigations sectionbecause the drug has reportedly been responsible for at least 21deaths in Greene County over the last two years. Investigators raided a Springfield home earlier this year expecting a big haul. Jose Elias Barbosa, 37, of. Jeremy A. Ingram, 42, Laurie B. Holmes, 39, and Lonnie J. Tinker, 36, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool. The investigation has led to four arrests: Springfield residents Hector Rodriguez, 42, and Luis Acevedo, 43, and Holyoke residents Emmanuel Hernandez, 30, and Nellys Garcia, 32. Defendants originally charged in the indictment are Trevor Scott Sparks, 31, Gerald L. Ginnings, 40, Gloria May Jones, 30, Vicente Araujo, 23, Leslie Ladon Walker, 33, and Paul J. Kibodeaux, 37, all of Kansas City, Mo. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require the defendants to forfeit to the government any property derived from the proceeds of the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy, including $2,200 seized by law enforcement from Glossons residence on March 7, 2019; $11,266 seized by law enforcement from a vehicle occupied by Dailey and Morgan on Nov. 14, 2019; $5,214 seized by law enforcement from Farisses hotel room on Nov. 14, 2019; and $4,400 belonging to Dailey, which was seized by law enforcement during the search of a residence on Nov. 27, 2019. In 2015, Springfield police seized more heroin than in the previous three years combined. In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracies, Farisse is charged with three counts of distributing heroin and/or fentanyl, two counts of possessing heroin and/or fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The first indictment came Dec. 10, 2014. While seizures like that don't happen often, data obtained by the News-Leader shows the amount of drugs seized by the Springfield Police Department's investigative units has been increasing over the last six years. KC Metro Strike Force In 2012, about 24 percent of high school seniors reported they had used marijuana in the last month, that number dropped to 16 percent in 2014 and then moved to 22 percent this year. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. A locked padlock The Missouri State Highway Patrol also reported that it had seenan exponential increase over the last fewyears in the seizures of marijuana-infused food products known as edibles. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Ginnings, Sparks, Patterson, Jones, Hansen, Mainieri, Hoyt, King, Nelson, and Zieger also are charged together in one count of being felons in possession of multiple firearms and ammunition. Pickens struggled with addiction for about 16 years, but never bothered to find out where his drugs were coming from. This prosecution was brought as a part of the Department of Justices Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. Drug task force officers who worked the largest meth bust in Northeast Wisconsin say the drugs came from the Mexico Drug Cartel and were trafficked from Missouri to Wisconsin. Official websites use .gov That number has remained consistent since 2002. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Officers with the Springfield Police Departments Special Investigations Unit made a large drug bust after serving a search warrant on August 6. Rates for alcohol abuse or dependence in 2006 remained above average for all age groups in Missouri while rates for drug dependence have been below the national average for the same time. Crawford allegedly possessed an Armscor of the Philippines 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Dec. 3, 2018, and a Lorcin .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Jan. 15, 2019. Wheeler is also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes and being a felon in possession of firearms. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. - Nine individuals, primarily from West Plains, Mo., have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Howell, Greene, and Texas counties. 18-25 year olds were among the group most suffering from unmet treatment needs for alcohol dependency in 2006 and it ranked among the highest in the country for this demographic. Martin is also charged with two counts related to distributing fentanyl. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Heroin and fentanyl,the affidavits say, were sold to Springfield residents by suppliers in Chicago and St. Louis. COPS Special Edition Springfield, Missouri Drug Busts - YouTube 0:00 / 22:54 COPS Special Edition Springfield, Missouri Drug Busts SRL Images Channel 2.08K subscribers Subscribe. Feds decided to pull the plug on Thanksgiving Day 2014, which was a quiet day on a dead-end street in Republic where Beverly Flesch lives. Western District of Missouri Investigators have recovered nearly 300 pounds of marijuana this week from drug busts in the MSHP Troop D region, which covers most of southwest Missouri. Reece said the meth found in Springfield today is usually ahigh-quality varietymade in Mexico and imported to the United States. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Five police cars pulled up around her neighbors house, she said, and officers wearing tactical gear surrounded the tan, single-story home, blocking exit points. Sparks is charged with one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise that involved the distribution of at least 10 kilograms of methamphetamine. OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multi-level attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. I came here and in my first shift I probably saw four or five patients acutely intoxicated on meth.. Rodriguez, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Taurus .410-caliber revolver on Jan. 4, 2019. It's unclear how or why federal prosecutors settled on the 29 co-conspirators. An official website of the United States government. A nearly three-year investigation culminated on Feb. 29 when, according to court documents, investigators rushed into a garage on East McDaniel Street and found 12 pounds of meth and more than six pounds of heroin hidden in a truck.