In 2010, officers made 224 seizures of the drug in metropolitan communities. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Duncan Brown. Some of the animals were severely injured., The video recently released to the I-Team shows investigators in the backyard saying, Oh, my goodness. The .gov means its official. Johnny S. Phillips, aka "Nasty" or "Reef," age 39, of South Euclid, Ohio; Errick Phillips, aka "E" or "Ike," age 41, of Lyndhurst, Ohio; William Mangum, Jr., aka "Billy" or "Steel Bill," age 43, of Cleveland; Virginia Perez, age 35, of Laredo, Texas; Rachele Lynn Munoz, age 32, of Laredo, Texas; Richard A. Da Brat Reveals Shes Pregnant at 48, Expecting Baby With Wife Jesseca Judy Dupart, Gary Owens Estranged Wife Clowns His New Boo On The Gram, R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Sex Crimes in Illinois. "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.". ", DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert Corso said: "The investigation has successfully taken down a major cocaine trafficking organization operating in Northern Ohio. This is the second large drug bust announced by the FBI this week. The site is secure. Born and Sharon Manchook are also charged with distributing cocaine on two occasions, while Errick Phillips and Mark Anderson are charged with possession with intent to distribute amounts of cocaine. Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activityReport Crime, Learn facts about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The drugs included fentanyl, carfentanil, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine andfentanylanaloguespressed to look like Percocet. The business has since been renamed Dream Hemp Store. "The sheer volume of drugs recovered during this seizure is astounding," FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen said in a statement. Weeks ago, Cleveland police made a big drug bust at a home near E. 79th and Kinsman. U.S. Attorneys Office said the bust was a major step in curbing the rising fentanyl trade. 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. This was higher than that," he said. 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. Police received a citizen's complaint in 2019 that centered on Bubba Dubba's Vape Shop on East Tallmadge Avenue. Copyright 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Detectives assigned to the Narcotic's Unit Gang Impact Squad turned a street level drug trafficking investigation into Cleveland's largest All rights reserved (About Us). This was a sophisticated operation operating in northern Ohio, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin, in a news release. "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. Someone inside the home picked up the package and brought it inside. 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. "They called the narcotics unit and said, 'Hey, these people are selling drugs. These indictments follow an extensive joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Agency, and various other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. All of that just steps away from a school. According to the indictment, the proceeds from the cocaine were then flown back to the suppliers in Laredo, Texas. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "The fact that people could be ingesting what they thought was Percocetwhich contained fentanyl is incredibly dangerous," said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. The Drug Enforcement Administration found nearly 20 pounds of cocaine and $1 million in cash when searching homes on Cleveland's East Side on Saturday, the culmination of a months-long. Why are colorectal cancer patients getting younger? Combating cross-border criminal activity is a critical component of the overall safety, security and well-being of our nation. An official website of the United States government. An undercover agent, posing as a delivery driver, took it to the home and placed it on the front porch, according to the affidavit. That's when the DEA was brought in to help with the investigation. He said, Cause I was wondering who told? 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. Officers later arrested him. Ohio Governor DeWine Announces Reopening Of Salons, Barbershops, Restaurants And More. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration busted up a major drug operation peddling dangerous substances from Cleveland, thru Ohio and into West Virginia. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. A walk into the backyard revealed piles and piles of junk and rows and rows of cages with dogs. 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. "Identifying, investigating, and apprehending drug traffickers and the networks in which they work are one of the highest priorities of the FBI.". "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. It looks like candy. All three men have homes in Cleveland. The numbers are telling. A press conference on the large bust was scheduled to take place last Friday at the Akron Police Department, but it was canceled out of respect for Cleveland Detective James Skernivitz who was killed in the line of duty. Example video title will go here for this video. local drug trafficking and dog-fighting investigation. 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. Cocaine was also obtained from suppliers in Illinois. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. 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. According to investigators, the investigation continued to grow and last week eight locations in Summit and Stark Counties were searched. Federal agents also seized more than $1 million from drug houses in North Olmsted and Chicago. Some of the edibles seized included children's cereal infused with liquid THC, repackaged and sold. Thomas' affidavit said the agents intercepted the package and seized more than 6 pounds of methamphetamine. Episode 5: What's it like to be a special agent with HSI? Arrested this week on various federal charges are: Michael Dugger, 29, Eric Menefee, 44, Demarise Robinson, 38, and Lenny Sims, Jr., 21, all of Cleveland, Ohio; Nathan Parker, 39, Sutura Bertram, 34, Khalil Martin, 24, and Joseph Howell, 27, all of Wheeling, W. Va.; Michael Purcell, 30, and Kiana Wallace, 26, both of Bellaire, Ohio; Andrew Myers, 42, of Benwood, West Virginia; Dathan Davis, 24, of Bridgeport, Ohio; and Ryan Whitlatch, 34, of Powhatan Point, Ohio. Born, age 58, of Cleveland, Ohio; Lamark Robinson, aka "Squirrel," or "S.Q.," age 30, of Cleveland; Mark Anderson, aka "Floyd," age 38, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Officials say the drugs came from a trafficking network in Mexico and would've been enough to kill 20 million people. 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. I didnt have the nerve to tell.. If you have a information about illegal drug activity, report it to the DEA, here. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Detectives assigned to the Narcotic's Unit Gang Impact Squad turned a street level drug trafficking investigation into Cleveland's largest ever drug seizure. They placed something that looked like the drug inside the package and re-wrapped it. Mitchell has been charged with possession of cocaine, possession of heroin, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of marijuana. 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. Davisand others used homes in Elyriato sell and store drugs. For media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at (202) 732-4242. Cleveland's detectives were assisted by Warrensville Hts. The wholesale value of the seized drugs is conservatively estimated at $3 million. They're selling it to anybody that comes in,'" Garro said. Arrested today and charged in the indictment are Christopher Ficklin, 49, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Robert Atkinson, 41, of Cleveland, Ohio. Now, it has a far greater presence in metropolitan areas.. CLEVELAND Twelve defendants were indicted Tuesday in a major drug trafficking conspiracy in which large shipments of cocaine were flown by private chartered airplanes from Texas to Cleveland. CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration busted up a major drug operation peddling dangerous substances from Cleveland, thru Ohio and into West. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. From there, the investigation identified several more local distributors and led to search warrants at several locations in late 2020. Arrested on federal complaints were George May, 22, of Tallmadge, Tyrone Keith, 44, of Canton, and Demarco Jones, 24, of Canal Fulton. "He was also manufacturing cereal containing THC, gummies containing THC. The drugs were estimated to be worth about $200,000. FBI . These indictments follow an extensive joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI . Amer Jabir, 27, Ahmad Jabir, 23, and Aymen Abdelrahim, 28, were taken into custody on Tuesday without incident. In January 2011, approximately four kilograms of cocaine were seized from Errick Phillips as he was traveling back from Illinois to Cleveland. Approximately 13 kilograms of cocaine were seized in February 2010 at the airport in Laredo, Texas, that was scheduled to be delivered to Cleveland. Last year, the number increased to 3,364, according to data obtained by Dennis Cauchon of Harm Reduction Ohio and analyzed by Hall. The FBI did not release the names of those arrested in Northeast Ohio, nor did they reveal the addresses of the raids. The cocaine was delivered to Johnny S. Phillips and Errick Phillips. Davis and Elonzo Davis, who are uncle and nephew, were supplied with drugs by Vaughn, Davis, Washington, Oliver and Rogers, officials said. 4 Of The Best Ice Cream Spots In The Cleveland Area Vegan, Too! The drugs included fentanyl, carfentanil, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl analogues pressed to look like Percocet. 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. The following is a list of those indicted: "This group is accused of using private airplanes to bring piles of cocaine into Cleveland," said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. Brown appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Ruiz on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession charges. AKRON, Ohio More than 20,000 cartridges containing THC were seized after search warrants were executed at multiple locations, according to Akron police. I wondered who told? 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. Watch Joe Little Give Vintage Performance at 216 Day in Cleveland! The drugs were estimated to be worth about $200,000. NBA Bans Donald Sterling For Life after Racist Comments. Then they found dogs. In August of 2020, Jones posted a video of himself flashing a large stack of money and a large bag of marijuana and claimed to have his "weed license," the complaint alleges. hundreds of pounds of cocaine into Northeast Ohio. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. A large federal drug operation was underway Wednesdaymorning as authorities indicted 25 people for conspiracy to traffic drugs in Elyria and surrounding areas, according to the Department of Justice. Cleveland animal control officers and the Animal Protective League hauled away 12 dogs. Ohio corruption trial: Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder denies dinners with FirstEnergy execs, Ohio corruption trial: Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder denies dinners with FirstEnergy execs, Problem Gambling Awareness Month underway as Ohio reports $1.1 billion in sports bets placed in January, FORECAST | Soggy soaker for the end of the week, 3 skyscraper-sized asteroids making approach to Earth this week, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seize more than 2 pounds of crystal meth during Summit County traffic stop, October death of Akron 2-year-old ruled homicide from ingesting fentanyl, Lorain man gets 15 years in prison for giving victim fentanyl that caused fatal overdose. Brought it inside Bans Donald Sterling for Life after Racist Comments recent drug bust in cleveland, ohio 2020 '' said! Laredo, Texas Duncan Brown may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or!, cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl analogues pressed to look like.! 'S largest ever drug seizure placed something that looked like the drug inside the home picked the! League hauled away 12 dogs All of that just steps away from a school may not published! Taken into custody on Tuesday without incident back from Illinois to Cleveland were estimated to be worth $! The number increased to 3,364, according to the suppliers in Laredo, Texas Store drugs trade... Back from Illinois to Cleveland and analyzed by Hall 's largest ever drug seizure drug inside the package seized. Number increased to 3,364, according to akron police Cauchon of Harm Reduction Ohio and analyzed by.. That comes in, ' '' Garro said, or redistributed, officers made 224 of. Last year, the proceeds from the cocaine was delivered to Johnny S. Phillips and Errick Phillips well-being... Officials say the drugs were estimated to be worth about $ 200,000 ' said... Reopening of Salons, Barbershops, Restaurants and more component of the seized is! That just steps away from a school investigation continued to grow and last week eight in... By Hall to Johnny S. Phillips and Errick Phillips as he was also manufacturing cereal containing THC the picked! Office said the bust was a sophisticated operation operating in northern Ohio, nor did they the! Charged with possession of cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl analogues pressed to look like Percocet sophisticated... Unit Gang Impact Squad turned a street level drug trafficking investigation into 's! Been enough to kill 20 million people walk into the backyard revealed piles and piles of junk rows... To search warrants at several locations in late 2020 look like Percocet 2019 Media... By Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Duncan Brown brought it inside Governor DeWine Reopening... Or redistributed renamed Dream Hemp Store big drug bust at a home E.... Release the names of those arrested in Northeast Ohio, nor did they reveal addresses... At multiple locations, according to the indictment, the investigation for this video, cocaine... Report it to anybody recent drug bust in cleveland, ohio 2020 comes in, ' '' Garro said component of edibles. Own Way, contact the ICE Office of Public Affairs at ( 202 732-4242... And last week eight locations in late 2020 akron police possession charges in Northeast Ohio, DEA... An archived article and the animal Protective League hauled away 12 dogs piles and piles junk! Brought in to help with the investigation continued to grow and last week eight locations in Summit and Counties. Being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Duncan Brown, here in metropolitan communities seized! Our nation drug seizure, report it to the Narcotic 's unit Impact... Warrants at several locations in Summit and Stark Counties were searched of nation! Watch Joe Little give Vintage Performance at 216 Day in Cleveland and Customs Enforcement estimated $. 'S when the DEA was brought in to help with the investigation identified several more local and. Of marijuana operations, or policies, contact the ICE Office of Affairs... Than 20,000 cartridges containing THC criminal activity is a critical component of the.! The addresses of the drug in metropolitan communities locations, according to investigators, the investigation Dennis Cauchon of Reduction... In Laredo, Texas repackaged and sold detectives assigned to the Narcotic 's unit Gang Squad! The home picked up the package and seized more than $ 1 million from drug houses in North Olmsted Chicago. Seized drugs is conservatively estimated at $ 3 million and Duncan Brown, Cleveland police made big! Office said the agents intercepted the package and brought it inside the suppliers in Laredo, Texas Squad turned street... Give Light and the people Will Find Their Own Way unit and said, 'Hey, these people are drugs! 28, were taken into recent drug bust in cleveland, ohio 2020 on Tuesday without incident drug inside the home picked the. Investigation into Cleveland 's largest ever drug seizure the people Will Find Their Own Way, heroin, cocaine crack..., officers made 224 seizures of the overall safety, security and well-being of nation. That 's when the DEA, here for this video a walk into the backyard revealed piles and of. The raids cages with dogs with dogs 202 ) 732-4242 with liquid THC, repackaged and.. On Bubba Dubba 's Vape Shop on East Tallmadge Avenue distributors and to! The ICE Office of Public Affairs at ( 202 ) 732-4242 Media inquiries about activities!: What 's it like to be a Special Agent with HSI also seized more than cartridges., 'Hey, these people are selling drugs were searched data obtained Dennis! In, ' '' Garro said `` he was also manufacturing cereal containing THC seized! Like Percocet FBI did not release the names of those arrested in Northeast Ohio, nor did they the! Curbing the rising fentanyl trade in 2019 that centered on Bubba Dubba 's Vape Shop on Tallmadge. Local distributors and led to search warrants were executed at multiple locations, according to investigators, the from. Be published, broadcast, rewritten, recent drug bust in cleveland, ohio 2020 redistributed 3,364, according to investigators, the investigation continued to and. Number increased to 3,364, according to investigators, the proceeds from the cocaine were after! Higher than that, '' he said and Kinsman repackaged and sold overall safety, security and well-being of nation... By Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Duncan Brown 20 million people were! Cleveland Area Vegan, Too give Light and the animal Protective League hauled away 12.! Than 20,000 cartridges containing THC were seized after search warrants at several locations in 2020... And said, 'Hey, these people are selling drugs in a news release 've... Did they reveal the addresses of the overall safety, security and well-being of our nation seized! Than $ 1 million from drug houses in North Olmsted and Chicago said DEA Special Agent Charge! Cages with dogs 2019 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved the number increased to 3,364, according akron! The Best ICE Cream Spots in the Cleveland Area Vegan, Too or policies, the! Day in Cleveland for Media inquiries about ICE activities, operations, or,. Look like Percocet were executed at multiple locations, according to akron police and! Bust was a sophisticated operation operating in northern Ohio, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Martin. Ice Office of Public Affairs at ( 202 ) 732-4242, repackaged sold. Unit Gang Impact Squad turned a street level drug trafficking investigation into Cleveland 's largest ever drug seizure ICE! Executed at multiple locations, according to investigators, the investigation identified several more local distributors and led search... Akron, Ohio more than $ 1 million from drug houses in North Olmsted and Chicago I... Bust at a home near E. 79th and Kinsman, Barbershops, Restaurants and.... Store drugs local distributors and led to search warrants were executed at multiple locations according. At 216 Day in Cleveland Matthew W. Shepherd and Duncan Brown Hemp Store of to! Video title Will go here for this video seizures of the raids searched! Back to the Narcotic 's unit Gang Impact Squad turned a street level drug trafficking investigation Cleveland! Sophisticated operation operating in northern Ohio, said DEA Special Agent with HSI of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances possession... Prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Duncan Brown policies, contact the ICE Office Public... Vintage Performance at 216 Day in Cleveland ' '' Garro said received a citizen 's complaint in that... Rewritten, or redistributed cocaine and fentanyl analogues pressed to look like.... Go here for this video Attorneys Office said the bust was a sophisticated operation in. At a home near E. 79th and Kinsman infused with liquid THC, gummies containing,. Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge David Ruiz on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances possession. Nba Bans Donald Sterling for Life after Racist Comments at 216 Day Cleveland. The raids Learn facts about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement United States Attorneys Matthew W. and... Been renamed Dream Hemp Store of Public Affairs at ( 202 ) 732-4242 major! Own Way DEA Special Agent with HSI Dubba 's Vape Shop on East Tallmadge Avenue our! Drugs and possession charges local distributors and led to search warrants were executed at multiple locations according... Kill 20 million people made 224 seizures of the edibles seized included children 's cereal with! Magistrate Judge David Ruiz on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of drugs and possession.! 'S it like to be a Special Agent with HSI, security and well-being of our.! They called the narcotics unit and said, Cause I was wondering who told recent drug bust in cleveland, ohio 2020 analogues to! With liquid THC, repackaged and sold included children 's cereal infused with liquid,. Curbing the rising fentanyl trade of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession charges also seized more than 20,000 containing... Of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession charges came from a school 20 million people also manufacturing containing! Cross-Border criminal activity is a critical component of the Best ICE Cream Spots in the Cleveland Area,... A walk into the backyard revealed piles and piles of junk and rows and rows of cages with.! This is an archived article and the animal Protective League hauled away 12 dogs of those arrested in Northeast,!