WACO, Texas (KWTX) - McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara is praising the work of his deputies and fellow law enforcement officers after an operation - hailed as the biggest meth bust in the history of the McLennan County Sheriffs Office - led to three arrests and the seizure of more than $500,000 in methamphetamine. Anthony Gutierrez, Jose Gutierrez, Crigger, Gentile, Sutton and Warrick face between 10 years and life in federal prison upon conviction because the quantity level charged is at least 500 grams. SAN ANTONIO - Three people are in custody and are expected to face federal charges following a drug bust on the North Side, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. All complaints and concerns are fully investigated by corporate compliance and corrective actions are implemented based on substantiated allegations. But then they got word it had started again. A man named Hector Manuel Castro-Quirino, 47, and his girlfriend Vanesa Ann Cervantes, 38, were residents of the two-bedroom home. Jose Gutierrez, Crigger and Lewis were already in custody prior to yesterday. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Diggs and C. Andrew Colasurdo. The home was being used as a conversion lab where meth is turned into the raw, liquid form, making it more difficult for agents to detect. The indictment alleges that on November 11, 2020, he possessed at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. Let's put the drug bust into perspective. Unaccompanied minors, they surge the border, Border Patrol officers get fully occupied simply processing, the people coming across the border, he continued. Officials say after getting a search warrant some 393 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine was found inside. The Biden administrations undoing of former President Donald Trumps border policies has prompted a flood of Central American and Mexican illegal migrants at the US border, including thousands of unescorted children. "Investigators believe the seizure is the . Authorities believe the drugs may have come from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG. Marshals returned to Brady on Tuesday morning in an attempt to stop the gigantic drug ring that is supplying narcotics across Texas according to sources with the federal court system. Amid an 800 percent surge in seizures of fentanyl statewide due to porous borders, Texas will create a new criminal offense for the manufacture or delivery of the drug, the governor has announced . Read More. Because Texas is on the Mexican border, drug trafficking in the state is, unfortunately, very common. Alyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. 02-23-2023 | Local Media Release. Oliphint was arrested Thursday, April 15, 2021. After the tractor was referred to a canine and non-intrusive imaging system inspection, 43 packages containing 113.89 pounds of cocaine were found in the trailer. (210) 384-7257 The charges, which include . Twenty Central Texans are facing federal drug trafficking and firearms charges stemming from five separate, but related, federal grand jury indictments. Note: Internet Explorer has problems displaying the following charts. 5:18 PM on Jun 11, 2021 CDT. . "The Yellow Rose of Texas is safer today as we bring justice to those drug traffickers who want to poison our communities and profit from those who struggle with addiction. In a recent drug bust in Texas, federal and local law enforcement recovered more than a kilogram of cocaine, half a kilogram of methamphetamine, 14 firearms, and nearly $1.6 million in cash during a drug bust in southeast Dallas, Texas. Last week, it was revealed that the the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Dallas division had made a major drug bust in October, resulting in more than $45 million worth of methamphetamine being seized. In May 2021, authorities seized 1,789 pounds of meth in north Houston, as well as large quantities of other narcotics, during an investigation near North Shepherd and I-45 in north Houston. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said its Dallas division made the biggest methamphetamine seizure in North Texas history after finding the drugs in a hidden compartment of an 18-wheeler off Interstate 35 in Denton County. McNamara said it was a team effort, and had a message for the citizens of McLennan County. These arrests are a significant step for community safety.. Indictment #3 - U.S. v. Lori Oliphint. Barton was already in custody when the indictment came down. The indictment alleges that on December 21, 2020, Lewis possessed a .380 caliber pistol. This federal grand jury indictment charges the following defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Anthony Gutierrez, aka Cuzzo, age 34 of San Juan; In the biggest drug bust in Liberty Countys history, the DEA seized $1 million worth of methamphetamine in a home at County Road 2191 off FM 787. They were arrested and charged with drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute. Ashley Nicole Sutton, age 31 of Belton; U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers carried out three unrelated seizures last week, two of which occurred in the same day. Homeland Security said the bust was part of a joint operation that included the DEA, ATF, Houston police and fire, Texas DPS and Harris County Pct. If convicted, Lewis faces up to 10 years in federal prison. / CBS Texas. The drugs are estimated to have a street value of $397,120. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. DEA Takes Down Major Drug Ring in the Heart of Texas. Oliphint, who was arrested Thursday, faces as much as 20 years in prison if convicted. The objectives of this operation were to hold those accountable for the menace of illegal narcotics trafficking, and the violence associated with it, which has plagued our communities for far too long in the state of Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest, stated DEA Special Agent in Charge, Frank Tarentino. That opens up large gaps of tens, or sometimes hundreds of miles, where the drug cartels have the ability to get fentanyl across the border.. SAN ANTONIO - Six people are in custody, two of which are being held in a federal facility, following a drug bust on the North Side, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. We can help! The $1.6 million were found in cash stashed in tube socks, shoe boxes, and a large trash bag.2 This is one of the hundreds of cocaine and meth busts that demonstrate how serious drug trafficking is and the role it plays in drug use, addiction, and the increasing need for drug addiction treatment. This story has been shared 154,083 times. During the January 5 bust led by the DEA Amarillo office, more than 25 guns were also seized. Chavez is charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance (penalty group 1) over 400 grams, a first-degree felony. Later that evening, officers encountered a daily express consignment truck hauling a shipment of vinyl samples arriving from Mexico. In total, more than 1,930 pounds of meth stuffed into 663 packages were pulled from the vehicle. The Mexican cartel's leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, is one of the most wanted drug lords, with the DEA offering a $10 million reward for his capture. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The GBI said they seized more than 38 kilograms of methamphetamine worth about $530,000, marijuana, illicit pharmaceuticals, 11 firearms, 34 vehicles bought with money from drug proceeds, and . SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) A big drug bust on San Antonio's North side. 4 men arrested after DPS troopers announce fentanyl bust in NW Houston. 54 Individuals Indicted for Roles in Distributing Heroin, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine "Dangerous drugs have devastated too many communities throughout our state and claimed too many lives," said Attorney General James.. "As New Yorkers and Americans across the country witnessed the greatest number of drug overdose deaths in history in 2020, the defendants here were allegedly . The bust was made Wednesday, June 8, at a home on Park Avenue in South Waco. According to records filed in the case, the investigation began in February 2020. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Smith-Burris is prosecuting these cases. This federal grand jury indictment charges 31-year-old Annie Rose Lewis of Temple with one count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm. During the investigation that led to the indictments, authorities seized about four kilograms of cocaine, seven kilograms of methamphetamine, and a half dozen firearms. The amount of heroin seized by DEA Field Divisions increased by 30% from 2018 to 2019, with the largest amounts of heroin seized in Texas, California, Arizona, and New York. Other drugs seized within that area include marijuana . U.S. Aware of some of the groups trafficking, law enforcement seized 10 pounds of methamphetamine in a traffic stop on May 16, 2020. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The haul was the largest meth bust in North Texas's history. 3. In Bastrop County, fewer than 10 people died from drug overdoses both in 2019 and 2021, according to state health figures. This is the real deal, with big guns and a large amount of cash and ammunition seized. Law enforcement officers seized nearly 40 pounds of methamphetamine, 26 ounces of marijuana, nearly $18,000 in suspected drug proceeds, a Glock pistol and an AR-15 style weapon. The DEA said the amount seized in Dallas equated to 20 percent of all the meth found in 2020. 25 kilograms of meth seized in Cloverleaf area, Texas DPS says. To access the data used to build this dashboard, please visit the CBP Data Portal. 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. Bobby Quinton Gentile, age 43 of Holland; Roberts and Keith are both accused of distributing drugs in the Bellmead area. Sign up and receive email updates on the latest news, events, and more! Screenshot from Bexar County Sheriff video. Joe David Beck, age 50 of Temple; The action you just performed triggered the security solution. The agencies within the TAG came together and worked together and were able to find these drugs and get them off the street so McLennan County did great here also working in conjunction with the TAG, and so were just thankful for the work that they did to remove these drugs from getting in childrens hands, or anybody elses hands., Sheriff McNamara said the estimated street value of the methamphetamine seized is in excess of $530,000. Largest Texas Drug Busts in 2021. She has produced a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. Sheriff Javier . Central Americans looking for refuge from the Northern Triangle countries Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras have taken these policy moves, as well as the overwhelmingly more welcoming tone from Democrats, as a sign that Biden is inviting them to cross the border. They are buying a death sentence, Abbott said. The FBI, Temple Police Department, Killeen Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Division and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted this investigation. The distribution of drugs like heroin, cocaine, meth, and fentanyl into the state is an ongoing problem, and it seems like authorities are constantly the biggest drug busts in Texas. This is a highly addictive drug that can lead to mental illness, increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and more. ", Chavez added: "I see a lot of lives saved when we can stack up kilograms of drugs like this on a table. The operation was conducted by members of the McLennan County Sheriffs Office Organized Crime Unit, the sheriffs offices SWAT, and the Waco Police Departments Drug Enforcement Unit, along with the Texas Dept. Jose Gutierrez, Crigger and Lewis were already in custody. Guthrie was arrested on Thursday, April 15, 2021. The Dallas division of the DEA has made the largest methamphetamine seizure in North Texas. November 11, 2021 / 11:37 AM FORT WORTH, Texas Tarrant County authorities have seized more than 1,400 pounds of liquid methamphetamine over the last five weeks, an estimated street value totaling $16 million, officials . If you know someone whos addicted to this drug, we offer heroin detox and addiction treatment at Banyan Treatment Centers Texas that can help. The men are currently being held on $250,000 bonds each. Your IP: The operations resulted in the confiscation of some 451 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and 192 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine, or a total of 1,414 pounds. Barton is accused of possessing at least 500 grams of methamphetamine on November 11, 2020. Click to reveal More than $45 million of methamphetamine has been seized in a drug bust in Texas. 0:55. 27, law enforcement officers with the Drug Enforcement Agency, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, Brady . Jose Francisco Gutierrez, age 33 of Killeen; Mexican suppliers are especially responsible for most heroin and methamphetamine production, while cocaine is more often made in Colombia than transported to the U.S. via Mexican criminal organizations. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Press contact for the U.S. Attorneys Office is Communications Director Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov. According to a release from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, the Drug Enforcement Admiration arrested 13 people as part of Operation Hartbreak Kid, which was named after the man agents believe to be the lead defendant in the case, 27-year-old Derrick Hart.