"They called the narcotics unit and said, 'Hey, these people are selling drugs. Federal agents also seized more than $1 million from drug houses in North Olmsted and Chicago. A walk into the backyard revealed piles and piles of junk and rows and rows of cages with dogs. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Cleveland animal control officers and the Animal Protective League hauled away 12 dogs. We are out on the streets everyday combating the drug traffickers that are bringing drugs not only into the country, but also Ohio.. Ahman Jabir and Aymen Abdelrahhim are also charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled narcotics (Oxycodone). Approximately 13 kilograms of cocaine were seized in February 2010 at the airport in Laredo, Texas, that was scheduled to be delivered to Cleveland. Detectives assigned to the Narcotic's Unit Gang Impact Squad turned a street level drug trafficking investigation into Cleveland's largest ever drug seizure. The indictment includes charges for drug trafficking, dog fighting, even child endangering. ", "This investigation is a sterling example of how federal, state and local law enforcement were able to successfully dismantle a major narcotics smuggling organization in the Cleveland area," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of ICE HSI for Michigan and Ohio. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They placed something that looked like the drug inside the package and re-wrapped it. The case was investigated by the DEA's Cleveland office, ElyriaPolice Department, HIDTA, Lorain Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and U.S. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. When police arrested the suspects, they also seized 17 firearms, nearly 1,500 rounds of ammunition, approximately $592,579 in cash, more than 13 kilograms of cocaine, more than 22 kilograms of marijuana as well as heroin and crystal methamphetamine as part of the investigation. Anyone with information on their. SEVP is a part of the National Security Investigations Division and acts as a bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on nonimmigrants whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to be students. AKRON, Ohio More than 20,000 cartridges containing THC were seized after search warrants were executed at multiple locations, according to Akron police. NBA Bans Donald Sterling For Life after Racist Comments. Garro referred to Jones as "a wholesaler" and said the suspect supplied the East Tallmadge business with illegal drugs. A traffic stop on Memorial Day 2020 in Cincinnati led to the discovery of more than four kilograms of fentanyl in the front bumper and wheel wells of one of the vehicles. Cocaine was also obtained from suppliers in Illinois. And the I-Team revealed Angelo McCoy, a suspect in this case, has a record for dog fighting. Get information about how to check in with your local ICE Office here. The parcel was sent by a person named Granny Mattis to a person on Claasen Avenue. In addition to the conspiracy charge, defendants William Mangum, Jr., Virginia Perez, Rachele Lynn Munoz, Nora Flores, Errick Phillips and Johnny S. Phillips are also charged with interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise for trips they took between Ohio and states such as Texas, Illinois and Georgia as part of the drug trafficking enterprise. Photos courtesy of the Akron Police Department. The suspects just indicted now get a chance in the coming days to go to county court to begin defending themselves. Some of the edibles seized included children's cereal infused with liquid THC, repackaged and sold. Ohio Governor DeWine Announces Reopening Of Salons, Barbershops, Restaurants And More. The investigation began with the Martins Ferry Police Department when officers noticed an uptick of drug activity in the small community. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Some of the animals were severely injured., The video recently released to the I-Team shows investigators in the backyard saying, Oh, my goodness. U.S. Attorneys Office said the bust was a major step in curbing the rising fentanyl trade. The seizure of the cartridges was part of a lengthy investigation by federal, state, and local investigators that started in early 2019. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Mike DeWine suffered injury while in East Palestine, Closed Captioning/Audio Description Problems. "The sheer volume of drugs recovered during this seizure is astounding," FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen said in a statement. Watch a past report in the video, above; click here for more. 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). For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at (202) 732-4242. "Today's seizure and arrests continues to send a clear message that if you come to Cleveland to set-up shop, our Officers will shut you down.". If convicted, the defendants' sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants' prior criminal records, if any, the defendants' roles in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations. 150 bales of marijuana, ranging in weight from 18 to over 27 pounds, were found hidden in a tractor-trailer of dry soup. All told, more than a ton of marijuana products was confiscated. An investigation that began in 2019 resulted in a major drug bust, and now 11 people, seven from Cincinnati, have been indicted by a federal jury. Authorities say the arrest highlights a key trend in Ohio: Methamphetamine, which had long been considered a drug brewed by backyard cookers. 100 Pounds Of Marijuana, $1 Million Seized In FBI Ohio Drug Raid - Cleveland, OH - The interstate ring had drug houses in Chicago, Illinois and North Olmsted, Ohio, the FBI said. ", "I would like to commend the members of our Narcotics Unit for a job well-done in getting drugs and dangerous weapons off our streets and criminals out of our neighborhoods," said Mayor Jackson. The men have been charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiring to distribute marijuana. At least 24 kilograms of cocaine and $157,500 in cash were seized as part of the investigation. All Rights Reserved. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Thomas' affidavit said the agents intercepted the package and seized more than 6 pounds of methamphetamine. Johnny S. Phillips, Richard A. Breaking: large scale federal drug operation underway this morning in Lorain County. Cleveland, OH -Arecord drug bust in the city of Cleveland. and Highland Hills police in executing 7 search warrants over two days which resulted in eight arrests, the confiscation of 7 firearms including two assault rifles and the seizure of 8 vehicles. Narcotics Unit detectives working with Ohio's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area investigators seized approximately 3,000 pounds of marijuana and over $386,000 cash following an investigation into a west coast drug trafficking operation. The numbers are telling. He said what had been going on there had left people terrified. I wondered who told? Davis and Elonzo Davis, who are uncle and nephew, were supplied with drugs by Vaughn, Davis, Washington, Oliver and Rogers, officials said. "The people who were arrested today were a nuisance, a problem in Elyriafor a number of years," said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin. According to a report by Fox19, the years long investigation began when an Arizona man allegedly sourced illicit drugs from across the border and helped plan the transport of those drugs through the West Coast to individuals in the Cincinnati area. According to the indictment, the proceeds from the cocaine were then flown back to the suppliers in Laredo, Texas. 4 Of The Best Ice Cream Spots In The Cleveland Area Vegan, Too! Without question, there has been a serious uptick in usage in our state, said Orman Hall, a public health analyst for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area in Ohio, a congressional initiative that tracks drug trends across the state and nation. The investigation included the DEA Cincinnati field office, the FBI and the Hamilton County Regional Enforcement Narcotics Unit. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. An investigation of this magnitude is a significant indicator of what is accomplished through strategic, partnered law enforcement initiatives.". ICE identifies and apprehends removable noncitizens, detains these individuals and removes illegal noncitizens from the United States. "The hard work by our Gang Impact and Major Investigations Squads has dealt a major blow to the drug traffickers in this area," said Chief McGrath. The cocaine was delivered to Johnny S. Phillips and Errick Phillips. According to a federal criminal complaint, an investigation began to focus on 24-year-old Demarco L. Jones, a former Akron resident. CLEVELAND, Ohio Federal agents have intercepted more than 12 pounds of crystal methamphetamine near a Cleveland home in one of the largest seizures in Ohio for the illicit stimulant. Back then, about a dozen dogs were also involved, and that case also involved a drug investigation. With the trafficking ring accused of selling drugs across America, investigators in Washington, D.C. as well as several other states are continuing their work. A weekly compilation of engaging digital content. Watch Joe Little Give Vintage Performance at 216 Day in Cleveland! Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Lorain County recently became part of the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program or HIDTA. An undercover agent, posing as a delivery driver, took it to the home and placed it on the front porch, according to the affidavit. The case was investigated through the combined efforts of the DEA, ICE HSI, FBI, United States Marshal's Service, Ohio Highway Patrol, Erie County Prosecutor's Office, Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, Lake County Narcotics Agency, Cleveland Police Department, Cleveland Heights Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Lyndhurst Police Department, North Royalton Police Department, South Euclid Police Department, and Westlake Police Department. Huge Haul: Cleveland Police Detail City's Largest Drug Bust, Melt Bar & Grilled closes 2 Ohio locations, Ohio Gov. 02.15.2023. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The FBI did not release the names of those arrested in Northeast Ohio, nor did they reveal the addresses of the raids. Posted at 4:21 PM, Sep 07, 2020. and last updated 9:45 AM, Sep 09, 2020. The courier was believed to be traveling from Cleveland to Texas, according to the indictment. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. More than 13 kilograms of fentanyl, at least 17 guns and more than a million dollars of alleged drug money was found during the searches. 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In January 2011, approximately four kilograms of cocaine were seized from Errick Phillips as he was traveling back from Illinois to Cleveland. Garro said when it comes to manufactured marijuana and THC vapes, there is a serious, potential danger because the user doesn't know what's in it. Gomez-Orrantia was arrested on March 11, 2022. The drugs included fentanyl, carfentanil, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine andfentanylanaloguespressed to look like Percocet. All of that just steps away from a school. After his arrest, Brown told officers that he used the homes of his customers to receive the shipments of the drug, the affidavit said. News 5's Tracy Carlosswas there while the drug bust was underway. Michael Thomas, an agent with Homeland Security Investigations, said in an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland that authorities had seized a package Monday from a commercial carrier that had been shipped from Yuma, Arizona. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Bags and bottles full of drugs and guns are off the Northeast Ohio streets after a bust by Cleveland Police in the Third District. The arrests were carried out on Tuesday morning at about 8 a.m. Amer was arrested in Chicago, the other two men were taken into custody in the Cleveland area. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Davisand others used homes in Elyriato sell and store drugs. Then they found dogs. 02.21.2023. DEA dismantles narcotics ring operating in Ohio and West Virginia, Melt Bar & Grilled closes 2 Ohio locations, Ohio Gov. The United States Mattis to a person named Granny Mattis to a person named Granny Mattis to federal! The suppliers in Laredo, Texas recent drug bust in cleveland, ohio 2020 to the indictment, the FBI and the I-Team revealed Angelo,! Policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ( 202 ) 732-4242 noncitizens from United... Federal agents also seized more than 6 pounds of Methamphetamine THC were as. 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