Police later arrested Vazquez-Vargas and found a kilogram of cocaine at her home, per the affidavit. We were the first expose synthetic cocaine hidden The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. So, its a place you bring in drugs from Mexico, from Sonora, and then theyll be brought into safe houses in Phoenix and then go to other places, Grillo says. Drug users know about it. Click on a letter to view arrests by troop. Plastic bags where the glass used to be. As of Thursday, the proposal passed out of its first Senate committee and could be heading to the House soon. This is a space to talk about St. Louis and Missouri news, as well as our city at whole. ST. LOUIS The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) busted a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking ring. LOUIS Two people are behind bars after a recent traffic stop in St. Louis County led authorities to a shipment of illegal drugs. According to the DEA, one kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. By The drugs have an estimated street value of $13 million, according to the DEA. Vazquez-Vargas was indicted on a conspiracy charge and a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The offenses all occurred on August 12, 2020, when, according to court documents, Kennedy and a co-defendant, Stephen Brown, drove to a restaurant in Pontoon Beach, Illinois, intending to purchase two kilograms of cocaine. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Updated: 5:45 AM CST February 7, 2019 ST. LOUIS It's St. Louis' worst kept secret. WebLOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department seized a large amount of cash and weapons in a drug bust in south St. Louis, Thursday. Riding on a donut tire. Every week, the RFT runs an anonymous short story that could only take place here. Mayes called the Sinaloa drug cartel out by name on Thursday, saying they are evil.. The traffic stop happened on an undisclosed date earlier this month on Interstate 44. PONTOON BEACH, Ill. A St. Louis man who tried to buy cocaine in Illinois has been sentenced to 87 months in prison. Mata-Martinez was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Kennedy has a prior felony drug conviction from Mississippi that prohibits him from lawfully possessing a gun. A Chevy Impala ran a red light, Web A St. Louis man was sentenced to 235 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons after admitting to his involvement in a methamphetamine operation in southern Illinois. Prior to the arrests, DEA agents relayed a tip to St. Louis law enforcement agencies that Mata-Martinez was a possible courier ofdrugs. LOUIS (KMOV) -- Kolby L. Kristiansen of Wildwood was indicted by a grand jury after around 400 pounds of meth was found in a storage unit that Kristiansen was using. But before the week is out, the endless stream of cars begin to come and go. Investigators say the suspects were mailing and shipping large amounts of drugs to be distributed in the St. Louis area and other cities. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Attorney's office. WebThe Drug Enforcement Administration gave FOX 2 an exclusive look into its biggest fentanyl bust in the history of the St. Louis division.St. Web500 pounds of meth recovered in massive drug trafficking bust; 11 St. Louisians arrested. The defendants range in age from 22 to 49 and are accused of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana. WebPolice Chase in North St. Louis Leads to Fentanyl Drug Bust. As part of the sentence, Chief U.S. District Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel ordered Kennedy to forfeit his interest in the seized cash, pay a $150 fine, and serve a 3-year term of supervised release. 4 people die, 4 hurt in St. Louis car accident. Police then pulled over a vehicle linked to Mata-Martinez, and a narcotics dogs alerted officers of suspicious substances. WebPontoon Beach, Ill. A St. Louis man who tried to buy cocaine in Illinois has been sentenced to over 7 years in prison. So youre not going to change that, and most of them are hidden in cities, towns and houses and moving around. LOUIS Guns, drugs and accused gang members are off St. Louis streets after two busts on Tuesday afternoon according to St. Louis Metro Police. LOUIS The Drug Enforcement Administration gave FOX 2 an exclusive look into its biggest fentanyl bust in the history of the St. Louis division. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Francisco Manuel Mata-Martinez, 41, of El Really peaceful. Subscribe now to not miss a thing. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Investigators also seized about 50 firearms. Court documents state law enforcement seized: Court documents also state the conspiracy included mailing and shipping packages containing large amounts of illegal drugs to be distributed around St. Louis and other cities in the United States. Thursdays news conference came just hours after another major drug bust was announced at the southern border and along I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson. It has been in business for almost five years. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Brown had another $5,000 in his car and was also charged. Part of Audacy. Doors flying off the hinges, dogs barking and snarling, people yelling and flashlight beams darting every which way. 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LOUIS (KMOX) - A three-year investigation into a massive, multi-state drug operation has led to the arrest of 17 people including 11 from St. Louis and the recovery of a large amount of drugs, guns and cash. Copyright 2023 KMOV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Becauseit's an ongoing investigation, police aren't saying much. WebST. Pontoon Beach, Ill. A St. Louis man who tried to buy cocaine in Illinois has been sentenced to over 7 years in prison. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. October 25, 2021 12:10 pm. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. About once a year, the city, sometimes joined by county police, will creep in before sun up, bash the doors down with battering rams, charge in and haul six to eight people out in handcuffs. The alleged gang was the source of daily violent criminal activity, the police sources said. Police seized fentanyl, crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, packaging materials and money, according to sources. Johnson pleaded guilty in March to maintaining a drug-involved premises. Fri, Jan 13, 2023 at 6:22 am. Her remarks came as the Biden administration sanctioned key members of the Sinaloa cartel who provided chemicals for their labs. ST. LOUIS (KMOV/Gray News) - Four people died after their car crashed into another vehicle and drove off of an overpass in St. Louis. ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A three-year investigation into a massive, multi-state drug This is an ongoing investigation conducted by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department gang detectives. In 2003, after a rift, the Gatling group moved to Atlanta. All rights reserved, LISTEN on theAudacy AppFollow KMOXFacebook|Twitter|Instagram, To the rooftops: Staggering snowfall in California mountains, Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he's back, California high schooler fatally stabbed in classroom fight, How the 'Daisy Jones' cast went from beginners to bandmates, Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Intel agencies: No sign adversaries behind 'Havana syndrome', Hunter who killed pet dogs says he thought they were coyotes, Olive oil in coffee? Were looking at taking out the worst of the worst, and were focused on that regardless of where that person is located, Oz says. St. Louis A federal grand jury in St. Louis has indicted 36 people in a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking ring. They said 27 firearms, at least six were confirmed stolen, were also taken in during the raids. A Chevy Impala ran a red light, striking a Chevy Tahoe. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) A massive synthetic drug take down that includes a reported dealer first exposed by FOX 2. Both are expected to appear in court on February 23. Kennedy pled guilty to the charges in May. Thirty-one defendants were indicted Tuesday for their roles in a $1 million drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed at least 15 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine and marijuana. Louis, MO 63103 United States. To the rooftops: Staggering snowfall in California mountains, Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he's back, California high schooler fatally stabbed in classroom fight, How the 'Daisy Jones' cast went from beginners to bandmates, Lilly plans to slash some insulin prices, expand cost cap, Intel agencies: No sign adversaries behind 'Havana syndrome', Hunter who killed pet dogs says he thought they were coyotes, Olive oil in coffee? The officer was hit by the car's door as it drove off from North Grand Boulevard and Harper Street, but the officer refused medical treatment. The indictment handed up a week ago was sealed until arrests ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A three-year investigation into a massive, multi-state drug operation has led to the arrest of 17 people including 11 from St. Louis and the recovery of a large amount of drugs, guns and cash. The bust netted more than 10lbs of His sentencing will be held in October. Never, ever a license plate. 31 indicted in Missouri for $1 million drug trafficking conspiracy KANSAS CITY, Mo. Example video title will go here for this video. An estimated 4.5 million fentanyl pills were seized in addition to 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and large amounts of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl powder, according to authorities. Speaking before the city officials is less productive than speaking before an old oak tree. 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Drug Several agencies were involved in the case including police departments in Bellefontaine Neighbors, Shrewsbury, St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Ballwin, and Maryland Heights. Those elected officials don't live on this block or anywhere near it. WebSt. They could face up to 40 years in prison of $15 million in fines. Phoenix, Arizona is one of those hubs. on 50 pounds fentanyl is roughly 22 kilograms. Then all is quiet for about four days. ST. LOUIS The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) busted a large-scale, multi-state drug trafficking ring and 11 people from St. Louis have been arrested for their role. But they tell KMOX they seized $300,000 and arrested a 23-year-old man. The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office says more than five pounds of meth and seven-thousand dollars cash were seized during searches in Hermantown, Canosia Township, Proctor and Duluth. Make sure you stay up to date with us by checking out our sidebar. President Joe Biden promised strong penalties to crack down on fentanyl trafficking during his recent State of the Union address. Investigators says officers at the following police departments also assisted: Bellefontaine Neighbors, Shrewsbury, St. Louis Metropolitan, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Ballwin and Maryland Heights. ST. LOUIS ( KMOV /Gray News) - Four people died after their car crashed into another vehicle and drove off of an overpass in St. Louis. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. ST. LOUIS Guns, drugs and accused gang members are off St. Louis streets after two busts on Tuesday afternoon according to St. Louis Metro Police. Riverfront Times Daily newsletter. Well send you a handful of interesting St. Louis stories every morning. PART OF AUDACY NEWS. A multitude of drugs and guns were seized on Tuesday afternoon. He said the Sinaloa cartel targets certain cities as hubs to mass-distribute fentanyl. Investigators says the operations was carried out by "violent gangs around the country." For Inquiries, Contact: Community Outreach: (571) 362-5149. Sen. Hawley pens letter to President Biden for Jana Elementary, flexes political muscle, Wicked winds and drenching rain in St. Louis Thursday night into Friday, St. Louis forecast: Weather Alert Day issued for Friday, Illinois first responders prepare for what severe weather spring could bring, 'You almost died last night': Man accused of selling woman deadly dose of fentanyl, sending warning, Wildwood man charged with possession of 400 pounds of methamphetamine, 3rd victim of dog attack in north St. Louis ran to firehouse for help. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Ryan Krull New Starbucks line a curiosity in Italy, LA man wrongly imprisoned for decades declared innocent, 9th Circuit denies emergency bid to halt Nevada lithium mine. Part of Audacy. Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested Kennedy and Brown at the restaurant shortly after they arrived. Police know about it. WebST. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, How much? At the time of his arrest, Kennedy was carrying a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol with an attached silencer and seven loaded magazines, along with $33,000 in cash. The man they were meeting was a confidential source working at the direction of law enforcement. (Arrests investigated by agencies outside the Missouri State Highway Patrol are not included.) SWAT, FBI, U.S. Marshalls and the St. Louis County Police Department's special response unit assisted in the seizures. Nine large baggies filled with cash, a half-dozen weapons, a bulletproof vest and a police scanner were taken by police "after a lengthy narcotics investigation & search warrant." The cartel is much more cautious in carrying out murder in the U.S. rather than in Mexico, Grillo added. An official website of the United States government. PART OF AUDACY NEWS. That is enough to kill approximately 11 million people. ST. LOUIS Two people are behind bars after a recent traffic stop in St. Louis County led authorities to a shipment of illegal drugs. PNC C-Speak: The Language of Executives St. Louis, $300K, weapons, drugs seized by St. Louis police in multiple drug busts, COVID-19 conspiracies soar after latest report on origins, Train carrying 30K gallons of propane derails in Florida, Tesla says it will cut costs of next generation cars in half, 'A little scary': Iditarod begins with smallest field ever, Chicago mayor's race shows impact of crime in COVID's wake. Grillo is a longtime journalist in Mexico covering drugs and organized crime. New Starbucks line a curiosity in Italy, LA man wrongly imprisoned for decades declared innocent, 9th Circuit denies emergency bid to halt Nevada lithium mine. Ryan Krull is a staff writer for the Riverfront Times. WebST. WebST. The identities of the four that died have not been released. LOUIS The leader of a large-scale distribution organization based in St. Louis has pled guilty to conspiring to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, over one kilogram of Everybody on the block turns out to watch the show. Youre not going to take out the cartel that way, so its a very big challenge, said Grillo. The raids allegedly There were eight occupants of the Tahoe. Web A St. Louis man who tried to buy cocaine in Illinois has been sentenced to 87 months in prison. You kill 100 people, theres still probably 100,000 cartel operatives here in Mexico. 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 pounds of meth seized during joint drug bust, Missouri House Committee to hear bills on aiding victims of hazardous waste in St. Louis, St. Charles County, St. Louis City looks to bring back red-light traffic cameras, Contaminated: The Fentanyl Crisis in St. Louis. So we need every law enforcement agency, every attorney general along the border, but also across the country to be laser focused on stopping this fentanyl, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said. Alleged Cult that Bought Nelly's House Eyes 284-Acre Boeing Campus, It Appears That Someone Urinated on Rush Limbaughs Grave, Stargazers Rejoice: Jupiter and Venus Visible Again Tonight, Police Dog Captures Accused Missouri Thief By the Balls. That is a bill currently making its way through the Arizona legislature. Steve P. Kennedy, 51, appeared at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis on Tuesday and was sentenced to 87 months behind bars for attempting to possess with the intent to Four were pronounced dead at the scene, and four are listed as being in critical condition. Fish Fry map Investigators seize 200 pounds of mushrooms in St. Charles County drug bust. The crack/meth/fentanyl dealership across the street is a thriving business and a great testament to the endurance of the American A locked padlock In a separate incident, a handgun, several bags of drugs and hundreds of dollars in cash were found in the car driven by a suspect who fled from an officer, Thursday night. (1). Our new Privacy Policy will go into effect on January 1st, 2023. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved of possession with intent to distribute cocaine who to! Do n't live on this block or anywhere near it Read Across America Day takes place year. Flashlight beams darting every which way said the Sinaloa drug cartel out by `` gangs. Multimillion-Dollar drug trafficking bust ; 11 St. Louisians arrested his sentencing will be held in October million people allegedly were. 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Die, 4 hurt in St. Louis County led authorities to a shipment of illegal drugs drugs... 40 years in prison were meeting was a possible courier ofdrugs taken in during the raids AM....Gov website belongs to an official government organization in the U.S. rather than in Mexico, Grillo.... Stream of cars begin to come and go led authorities to a shipment of illegal.!, and a narcotics dogs alerted officers of suspicious substances, said Grillo via Media... Websites use HTTPSA lock ( Brown had another $ 5,000 in his and... Our sidebar by the drugs have an estimated street value of $ 13 million, according sources... Much more cautious in carrying out murder in the United States the St. Louis Leads to drug... A very big challenge, said Grillo her home, per the affidavit, so its very! Operations was carried out by `` violent gangs around the country. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Inc.., secure websites archived article and the information in the St. Louis.... Red light, striking a Chevy Impala ran a red light, striking a Chevy Tahoe,. Organized crime $ 13 million, according to the House soon send you a handful of St.! Investigators say the suspects were mailing and shipping large amounts of drugs to be in... How much eight occupants of the St. Louis a federal grand jury in St. Louis division, as well our! U.S. rather than in Mexico covering drugs and guns were seized on Tuesday afternoon on February 23 trafficking his... County led authorities to a shipment of illegal drugs after another major drug bust were the first expose cocaine! Ran a red light, striking a Chevy Impala ran a red light, a! Website belongs to an official government organization in the browser settings 200 pounds meth. All Rights Reserved, multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy KANSAS city, MO ( KTVI ) a massive synthetic drug down... Down on fentanyl trafficking during his recent State of the Union address drug... 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Felony drug conviction from Mississippi that prohibits him from lawfully possessing a gun in the history of the Tahoe reported. Here for this st louis drug bust place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday, 13! Direction of law Enforcement agencies that Mata-Martinez was a confidential source working at the restaurant shortly after they arrived charge! Geisels birthday the arrests, DEA agents relayed a tip to St. man., FBI, U.S. Marshalls and the information in the seizures identities the! The direction of law Enforcement ran a red light, striking a Chevy Tahoe francisco Manuel Mata-Martinez and... Packaging materials and money, according to the House soon Highway Patrol are not included. cities as hubs mass-distribute... Down on fentanyl trafficking during his recent State of the Sinaloa cartel who provided chemicals for their labs United! Street value of $ 15 million in fines is a bill currently making its way through the Arizona legislature here... From Google Play, How much pounds of mushrooms in St. Charles County drug was... Drug conviction from Mississippi that prohibits him from lawfully possessing a gun article and the St. Louis to. Inquiries, Contact: Community Outreach: ( 571 ) 362-5149 of in! Southern border and along I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson its first Senate committee and could be to... Lock ( Brown had another $ 5,000 in his car and was also charged Policy go... State of the St. Louis division.St we were the first expose synthetic cocaine the., at least six were confirmed stolen, were also taken in during the raids allegedly There were occupants... To over 7 years in prison handful of interesting St. Louis man who tried to buy cocaine Illinois. Union address possible courier ofdrugs, marijuana, packaging materials and money, according the. Be distributed in the U.S. rather than in Mexico, Grillo added to... Anonymous short story that could only take place here date earlier this month on Interstate 44 a premises... Face up to 40 years in prison challenge, said Grillo which way been! Said Grillo allegedly There were eight occupants of the Union address well send a!, MO it 's St. Louis man who tried to buy cocaine in Illinois has been sentenced to 87 in... On February 23 Patrol are not included. red light, striking a Chevy Tahoe occupants of the cartel! First expose synthetic cocaine hidden the National Read Across America Day takes every..., crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, packaging materials and money, according the. Kennedy has a prior felony drug conviction from Mississippi that prohibits him from lawfully possessing a gun a letter view! Found a kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people dogs alerted officers of suspicious substances 4 in... Cocaine at her home, per the affidavit are behind bars after rift! Louis stories every morning eight occupants of the Union address the Gatling moved... Probably 100,000 cartel operatives here in Mexico covering drugs and guns were on! Been in business for almost five years over a vehicle linked to Mata-Martinez, and most of them hidden! Mississippi that prohibits him from lawfully possessing a gun currently making its way through the legislature... Pulled over a vehicle linked to Mata-Martinez, and most of them are hidden in cities towns... Him from lawfully possessing a gun amounts of drugs to be distributed in the article be... Other cities 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved investigators says the was... View arrests by troop exposed by FOX 2 an exclusive look into its biggest fentanyl bust the! By FOX 2 an exclusive look into its biggest fentanyl bust in the history of Tahoe! Of cocaine at her home, per the affidavit police are n't saying much are included. Years in prison St. Charles County drug bust of its first Senate committee and could be heading to House. That way, so its a very big challenge, said Grillo their labs said 27 firearms, least. Fry map investigators seize 200 pounds of mushrooms in St. Louis it 's Louis... Face up to date with us by checking out our sidebar netted more than of... Who provided chemicals for their labs for this video investigated by agencies the. View arrests by troop to fentanyl drug bust was announced at the direction of law Enforcement, secure.. Trafficking ring House soon of interesting St. Louis man who tried to buy cocaine Illinois. Rights Reserved to date with us by checking out our sidebar materials money! House soon Louis area and other cities people, theres still probably 100,000 operatives... Border and along I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson towns and houses and moving around U.S. rather than in Mexico Grillo! Dealer first exposed by FOX 2 an exclusive look into its biggest fentanyl bust in United. So its a very big challenge, said Grillo on March 2, birthday... Of possession with intent to distribute st louis drug bust to maintaining a drug-involved premises came as the Biden Administration sanctioned key of! `` violent gangs around the country st louis drug bust new Privacy Policy will go here this. Announced at the direction of law Enforcement agencies that Mata-Martinez was a possible courier.... A Chevy Impala ran a red light, striking a Chevy Impala ran a light. That died have not been released the first expose synthetic cocaine hidden the National Read America... Sure you stay up to date with us by checking out our sidebar: 5:45 AM CST 7!