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. On Thanksgiving, Friend and his girlfriend hopped on his motorcycle and headed to meet Harmon. Last month, troopers made a similar bust near Cooper County, Missouri, recovering 75 pounds of meth. The majority of those entering treatment were 21-25 years olds. All loss of hope, eating out of dumpsters so I wouldnt be hungry.. Amphetamine/Methamphetamine The largest demographic receiving treatment for opiate addiction was in the 21-25 year old age group. Two men from California face drug trafficking charges in that investigation. In 2005, there were 630 drug related arrests. ; Markus Michael A. Patterson, 37, of Grandview, Mo. 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. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( The Springfield Police Department announced Wednesday that it has raided a major Western Massachusetts drug trafficking operation, seizing over 2 kilograms of heroin, 490 grams of cocaine,. According to court documents, theDEA and local law enforcement partners launched an investigation into the drug-trafficking organization in June 2019. More: Meth ringthat plagued the Ozarks could cost taxpayers $11 million in prison. 400 East 9th Street Almost all the 29 members of the conspiracy declined interview requestsor had the request denied by their prison. In 2017, 30 people died from meth in Greene County. Reece said the meth found in Springfield today is usually ahigh-quality varietymade in Mexico and imported to the United States. Police estimated that the seized drugs are worth between $600,000 and $700,000. It included 12 people. Psychological distress and substance abuse are more and more commonly connected. According to the Treatment Episodes Data Set, Missouri had 2,922 people who entered treatment for opiates other than heroin. More guns and more meth were found. The first indictment came Dec. 10, 2014. - 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. 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. Investigators raided a Springfield home earlier this year expecting a big haul. Join Recovery Connection in sharing stories of hope and recovery. KANSAS CITY, Mo. biggest drug bust in springfield, missouri. Ross and Cooper also are each charged with possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Meth ringthat plagued the Ozarks could cost taxpayers $11 million in prison. "But it's not our focus. Officers also seized four illegal firearms, police said. "The increase is a concern," Reece said. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Griffin 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. 673 people were treated for cocaine/crack addiction who used the drug other than smoking it. In addition to the conspiracy, Crawford is charged with three counts of possessing heroin or fentanyl with the intent to distribute, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. 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. Morgan allegedly possessed an SCCY 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 14, 2019. On the county level, the number of busts and seizures decreases from nearly 200 to just three. Ortega, who has previously been convicted of at least one felony offense, allegedly was in possession of a Jennings (Bryco) .380-caliber pistol, a Ruger 9mm pistol, and a Jennings (Jimenez Arms) 9mm pistol on May 7, 2018. (WWLP) - Springfield Police have arrested two men and seized heroin, two rifles and more than $16,000 in cash Wednesday evening . Kansas City, MO 64106, Telephone:(816) 426-3122 Banasik said since 2011 he hasn't noticed much cocaine in the local drug market. MSHP says the drug bust happened. "We do spend a lot of investigation time on that, and I think that plays out in our stats.". Tapia, 44,loved baseball, they said, and taught the sport to others. GREENE COUNTY, Mo. 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. All sorts of cars were pulling up to the house late at night and leaving shortly after, Flesch said. 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. In some states, the number of meth lab seizures has been significantly reduced. Bedell allegedly possessed a .223-caliber semi-automatic pistol without a serial number, a Springfield Armory .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Ruger .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Sept. 12, 2019. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. I didnt really care where it came from, Pickens said. How Can a Florida Heroin Rehab Center Help Me? A Drug Enforcement Agency spokesman told the News-Leader this summer the Ozarks has a reputation nationwide for meth,particularly the homemade variety. 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. He said there isn't much demand here for the drug, and he agreed this year's spike in cocaine is likely an anomaly. Bags of everything.. (KY3) - Officers with the Springfield Police Department's Special Investigations Unit made a large drug bust after serving a search warrant on August 6. 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. While a 29-person drug indictment is an unusually large case for Springfield's federal courthouse, it did not appear to be a sophisticated, violent or loyal group. "We get the occasional hit on those," Reece said. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. Stewart is also charged with one count of distributing heroin and/or fentanyl. In total over the last six years, the Springfield Police Department's investigative units seized 251,520grams of marijuana, 81,713 grams of meth, 1,122grams of cocaine, 4,751 grams of heroin, 6,903 grams of LSD and 372 grams of ecstasy. 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. 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. Though he doesnt know for sure, Jones hears that meth in the Ozarks could now be coming from south of the border. In 2010, 4,341 people were admitted to addiction treatment facilities for heroin addiction. -- 12 pounds of meth and 6.5 pounds of heroin, seized from a Springfield home. 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. 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. 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. According to the indictment, Sparks was the principal leader of the criminal enterprise and obtained substantial income from the criminal enterprise. 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 quantity, meth is still our biggest problem here," Garrison told the News-Leader in July. Additionally, Rory Dale Bechtel, 37, of Kansas City, Mo. Shirley J. Hicks, 61, Raymon F. Ortega, 63, Benny D. Griffin, 57, Jose I. Gonzales, 37, Jordan W. Gutierrez, 25, and Shaun M. Ross, 39, all of West Plains, Missouri; Fontella J. Noose, 38, of Springfield, Missouri; James E. Cooper, 52, of Mountain View, Missouri; and Luis Ortiz Rodriguez, 36, address unknown, were charged in a 19-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Robert Patruno with leading the stash house investigation, and said the broader investigation into the Holyoke-based drug ringcontinues. FRANKLIN COUNTY, MO (KTVI) - Drug cops made a record breaking bust in Franklin County. From all accounts, the high is euphoric, and the sobering crash back down to earth, painful. Wheeler is also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes and being a felon in possession of firearms. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. . However, it's unclear if taking down the meth ring has had any effect on meth use in theSpringfield area. Ortega, Hicks, and Griffin would also be required to forfeit to the government a money judgment representing the proceeds obtained as a result of their participation in the alleged drug-trafficking conspiracy. While a big chunk of the 2016 spike can be attributed to that Feb. 29 bust and another nearly half-pound seizure, Reece said there's certainlymore heroin on the streets of Springfield today than there was five years ago. - Three Springfield, Missouri, residents were sentenced in federal court today for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine. Room 5510 Farisse allegedly was in possession of a Ruger .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Nov. 14, 2019. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A locked padlock Thankful he lived to tell the story, the thought of rock bottom brings tears to Pickens eyes. 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. 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. Other family and friends noted his generosity, saying he supported his own family and others financially even helping pay for the schooling of the son of a family friend after his father walked out on them. The injuries theyre coming in with are different, Jones explains. "We do some large-scale marijuana interdiction work," Reece said. There were 5,088 admissions for drug and alcohol treatment for amphetamine addiction in 2010. 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. A locked padlock Missouri had the most meth lab busts in the country that year. 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. Other Drugs Tomorrow, KOLR 10s investigation continues: after addiction, learn how a local program is helping addicts get sober and stay sober. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. Martin said Behavioral Health Group's patients tell him they have little trouble finding heroin in Springfield. ; David Robert Richards II, 32, of Louisburg, Kan.; Christian Douglas Hansen, 41, of St. Louis, Mo. Tapia declined an interview request from the News-Leader. A federal. They took everything out of there, she said. Among the seizeddrugs were packages of narcotics labeled "Playboy" and "SpongeBob.". 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. A locked padlock According to a survey from the Missouri Department of Mental Health, teen marijuana use in Greene County has fluctuated over the last four years. Over the last six years, the drug that police have seized the most, in terms of weight, is marijuana. Share . I just wanted to get high.. . There were 12,052 individuals who entered treatment for marijuana addiction. Marijuana was the most commonly cited drug of abuse in Missouri in 2007. Official websites use .gov What do the orange, green dots on my iPhone mean? Largest Meth Bust in Missouri BootheelBy: CJ Cassidy. Dan Banasik,a Missouri State Highway Patrol supervising sergeant for narcotics, was the lead investigator in 2011 when the feds took down a multi-pound cocaine distribution ring that was operating in Springfield and Nixa. These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division Task Force Group in Springfield; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Springfield, Mo., Police Department; the Greene County, Mo., Sheriffs Department; the Phelps County, Mo., Sheriffs Department; the Bourbon, Mo., Police Department; and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The federal indictment alleges that all of the defendants, with the exception of Sparks, participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from Jan. 1, 2017, to July 21, 2020. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Prosecutors say the man at the center of a large-scale Springfield meth distribution ring was a high roller at a nearby casino. 400 East 9th Street Authorities charge 25 in Springfield drug bust Tuesday, July 12, 2005 SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Updated: Apr 15, 2021 / 07:37 PM EDT. Addiction Recovery Resources. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence. Overall, rates of heroin overdose have dramatically increased in certain counties with 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. Contact Us Today to Learn More About Our Recovery Resources! ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The former church deacon who said he turned back to meth after his wife's death. Each of the six defendants were charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin and/or 400 grams or more of fentanyl in Greene County from Mar. Springfield Police Lt. Lawrence Murphy credited Det. Mercy Hospitals Emergency Room in Springfield often treats drug addicts. A spokeswoman for Cox Hospital also said the medical staff has not noticed an increase this year in cocaine-related hospital visits. Once the cases are resolved, a judgewill issuea destruction order,and Springfield police have the drugs incinerated. Reece said he does not think meth use has increased tenfold over the last six years. 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 Western District of Missouri Saving Your Career and Life While in Rehab. Reece said LSD and ecstasy aren't the highest priorities for his investigators, simply because they don't see much of either drug. 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.. Friend lived in a single-story house along East Sunshine Street with two safes and a money counter. "I want to thank the leadership of Commissioner Barbieri, D.A. Due to their hard work, thats almost 300 pounds this week! Lock Among the defendants who were arrested and charged in November and December 2019, 19 defendants along with two new defendants were charged in two separate superseding indictments this week. I guess the cops were watching them, too, but I didnt know that, Flesch said. Western District of Missouri This case is part of the Department of Justices Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force program. Thats why it often takes more than medicine to save a life from addiction. Charlie Romine is also a former addict. Flesch specifically recalled a man who rode in on a motorcycle and sported a blue or purple mohawk. Most people in the conspiracy had no interactionswith anybody outside a few other members of the meth ring. Major Springfield Drug Bust Part of Year-Long Investigation by: Lindsay Clein. 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. Worsham, Sims, and Lindsey are each also charged with one count of possessing heroin and/or fentanyl with the intent to distribute. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. They wrote letters to the federal judge handling the Lee's Summit man's sentencing. An official website of the United States government. 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. He said the reason investigators are seizing more of the drug is because the current system of dealers bringing meth in from out of state lends itself to multi-pound seizures, like the one on Feb. 29. 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. In terms of drugs, property andmoney seized, arrestsmade, and dealers sentenced, it was one of the most successful operations in recent years. Drug traffickers allegedly kept narcotics and money at the Springfield house, with high level dealers using the house to pick up drugs for distribution, authorities said. The superseding indictment replaces an earlier indictment and includes additional defendants. SALINE COUNTY, Mo. That tan, single-story home was rented by Harmon, but shewasn't there the night of the Thanksgiving raid. "So they opened the door.". 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. (null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}}); document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How to Choose The Right Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program, Addiction Treatment Focused on Health And Wellness in FL (Florida). 79% of all those admitted for marijuana addiction were males. Of that number, 68.5 % were male and 31.5% were female. 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. The only structure to the group appears to be itstwo kingpins Kenna Harmon and Kenneth Friend who facilitated purchasing and distribution. 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. (Six other defendants have been indicted in separate, but related, cases). Doctor Joseph Jones can spot someone overdosing on meth by their agitation, racing heart, and hallucinations. Jose Elias Barbosa, 37, of. . 27, 2018, to Nov. 14, 2019. Affidavits cite numerous undercover and controlled drug purchases, as well as seizures of heroin, fentanyl, and large amounts of cash. All calls are confidential. At their peak in the early 2000s, at-home meth labs in the Ozarks became synonymous with the local area code, 417. Glosson was allegedly in possession of a Springfield 9mm semi-automatic pistol and an SCCY 9mm semi-automatic pistol on March 7, 2019. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Officers with the Springfield Police Departments Special Investigations Unit made a large drug bust after serving a search warrant on August 6. 67 alcohol and drug rehabs were able to offer residential care but only 10 facilities offered opioid treatment. When Friend finally gets sentenced, that will be the end of the ring. The percent between men and women for other opiate addiction was fairly equal. methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Howell County and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug . April 5, 2021: A trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on I-70 (EB) at the 79 mile marker in Saline County. To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Additionally, Hodges is charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug-trafficking crimes, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. So if you wake up and you dont already have something, thats what youre gonna do. Flesch said she would wave to "tattoo lady," but she never waved back. 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. Methamphetamine has devastating effects on drug users and can lead to memory loss, "meth mouth," overdose and death. It's unclear how or why federal prosecutors settled on the 29 co-conspirators. The number of drug induced deaths in 2007 remained consistent with the national figure. Looking to break addictions strangle hold? In 2009, the Treatment Episode Data Set indicated that 48,628 people entered drug and alcohol rehabs in Missouri. -- Twenty-five people were charged Monday with taking part in a drug ring that allegedly trafficked more than . Hodges is also charged with one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school. In 2010, 10,600 people entered alcohol addiction treatment in Missouri for alcohol as a primary substance of abuse with an additional 8,605 people who entered alcohol addiction treatment with alcohol combined with a secondary drug of abuse. That number has remained consistent since 2002. Join Recovery Connection in celebrating your recovery with our sobriety calculator. The OCDETF program is the centerpiece of the Department of Justices drug supply reduction strategy. 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. Glosson was allegedly in possession of a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol on Oct. 23, 2019. And through the first nine months of2016, theyseized more than 10 times last year's total. Most of the defendants were arrested in a coordinated law enforcement sweep in November 2019 and originally charged in a series of federal criminal complaints, which were followed up by initial indictments in December 2019. Heroin 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. That indictment was unsealed and made public following their arrests. All rights reserved. Room 5510 My understanding is that meth production has gone from basements and little hideouts to industrial grade stuff in Mexico and were just importing it, he said.