After further investigation, detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for a residence on Autumn Mist Drive in Winston-Salem. His officers took down the supplier through its Tar River Regional Taskforce, a group of law enforcement agencies throughout eastern North Carolina. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Police: Drug dealer arrested with enough fentanyl to kill 625K people, TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, Contaminated: The Fentanyl Crisis in St. Louis. Fentanyl available in the United States is primarily supplied by two criminal drug networks, the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, according to the DEA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, there have been more than 250 heroin deaths statewide. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Buncombe Countys history. Democrat Gov. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. bond was set at $2 million on the combined charges, Support my work with a digital subscription, EPA reviewing much-criticized water pollution rules for industrial-sized CAFO farms, Chatham County housing authority director arrested, accused of $200,000+ in wire fraud, Alligator living at Walmart in NC stirs debate, as many demand it be allowed to stay, 2 popular chain restaurants get B grades: Triangle sanitation scores (Feb. 28). The state also approved adding beds to both Duke Raleigh and UNC Rex hospitals. Will we know who won the $747M Powerball jackpot? NC climate expert weighs in. The investigation continued, and on Friday, North Wilkesboro police conducted a traffic stop as part of the investigation. According to reports, Rodriguez told detectives he could also sell them marijuana, meth, and cocaine. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Buncombe Countys history. Web50 grams of Fentanyl 7.9 pounds of marijuana 28.7 grams of MDMA 31.6 pounds of methamphetamine an assortment of Adderall, Oxycodone, and Suboxone $1,520.00 five 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The agencies part of the joint investigation included North Wilkesboro PD, Wilkesboro PD, Boone PD, Mooresville PD, Jonesville PD, Alexander County Sheriffs Office, Ashe County Sheriffs Office, Surry County Sheriffs Office, Watauga County Sheriffs Office, Wilkes County Sheriffs Office, Yadkin County Sheriffs Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. Adriana Gomez, 32, has been charged with two counts of Trafficking Methamphetamine, Conspiring to Traffic Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Vehicle for Selling Methamphetamine, and Possession with intent to Sell and Deliver Methamphetamine. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Officials say 100 kilograms of meth were seized from the vehicle and an additional six kilograms and several weapons were seized as part of a search warrant at a home in Wilkes County. A car was pulled over because of suspicious activities and several traffic violations, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. All Rights Reserved. Gomez is a federal fugitive and we are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Surry County Sheriff's Office, North Wilkesboro Police Department, the NC State Bureau of Investigation or the Department of Homeland Security. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The total weight of the methamphetamine seized is over 220 pounds and has a street value of over $2 million.. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. According to a news release, Castro Solache and Mondrago went to Polk County on Oct. 11 and met with undercover detectives to talk about a multi-kilogram sale of fentanyl. Undoubtedly this will save many lives and countless families from heartbreak. The estimated value of the drugs is $6.4 million, the Sheriffs Office said in the release. Copyright 2020 WBTV. or redistributed. They are currently being held in the Stanly County Jail under a $1 million bond and are scheduled to be in court today. Man with long criminal record served with financial crime charges in Rowan Co. TikTok sets new default time limits for minors, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Operation Hot Dirt began in September when detectives were tipped off to drug traffickers plans to smuggle fentanyl from Mexico to Bradenton, Florida, and then into Polk County. A tip leads to one of Nash County's biggest heroin busts. Authorities said that amount of fentanyl equates to more than 625,000 lethal doses of the highly potent drug. Legal Statement. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Police said 100 kilograms of meth were seized from the vehicle and an additional 6 kilograms and several weapons were seized as part of a search warrant at a residence in Wilkes County.Sebastian is charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, two counts of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, two counts of maintaining a residence/vehicle for selling methamphetamine, and possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine.Lucia Avila, 31, of North Wilkesboro, is charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, maintaining a residence for selling methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and misdemeanor child abuse.Adrianna Gomez, 32, of Mount Airy, is charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle for selling methamphetamine, and possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine.Authorities are still actively searching for Jorge Gomez, 30, in connection with the investigation.Gomez is a federal fugitive and we are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the Surry County Sheriff's Office, North Wilkesboro Police Department, the NC State Bureau of Investigation or the Department of Homeland Security. Patricia Drewes, who is part of Lost Voices of Fentanyl and the organizer of Forgotten Victims of North Carolina,told Carolina Journal on Sept. 19that about 700 marched from the National Mall to the White House. WebTwenty-one people were charged in a drug bust that spanned several college campuses in North Carolina, the US Department of Justice announced on Thursday. The prevention of illegal drug activity in North Wilkesboro is, and will continue to be, one of our highest priorities. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Both were arrested. Southeast Raleigh pastor celebrates 40 years of service, Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid pressure to slash costs, Railroad crossing work could create traffic delays in Wake Forest. Stone said the powdery substance is destroying families every day in his community. The Asheville Police Department reported it arrested Jonathan Maurice Logan, Jr., 33, on Thursday and seized 2.76 pounds of "The total weight of the methamphetamine seized is over 220 pounds and has a street value of over $2 million.These arrests are the result of many hours of investigative work between all of the above listed agencies and would not have been possible without cooperation between every agency. The Asheville Police Department LOUISIANA STATE BOARD OFFICIAL ARRESTED DURING DRUG DEAL INVOLVING METHAMPHETAMINE AND FENTANYL: POLICE, Detectives seized 22 pounds of fentanyl worth more than $2.6 million. Wake high school assistant principal suspended after being arrested on DWI charges, Raleigh clown sent joy to his sick friend with a song a day more than 1,300 of them, A raw bar, Asian restaurant, ice cream shop and arcade debut at Concord food hall, Lottery player heard of unclaimed $1 million Powerball win. Lucia Avila, 31, of North Wilkesboro, is charged with two counts of trafficking methamphetamine, conspiring to traffic methamphetamine, maintaining a residence for selling methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine and misdemeanor child abuse. WebThe first and biggest bust occurred on Oct. 12 when Mario Alberto Castro Solache, 29, of Raleigh; Pedro Mondragon, 27, of Lillington; and Ignacio Rodriguez, 28, Bradenton, Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. North Wilkesboro police seize $2 million in meth during joint investigation, NEW AT FOUR TWO MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF METH NOW OFF THE STREETS. NASHVILLE, NC (WTVD) -- The Nash County Sheriff's Office seized $173,000 worth of heroin Sunday, one of the largest He was later released after posting $45,000 bail. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call Crimestoppers at (336) 727-2800. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A significant drug bust made last week in Rowan County highlights the preeminence of Interstate 85 as the meth highway, according to investigators. Copyright 2023 WTVD-TV. Investigators said the drug is popular because it's cheap - costing roughly around $8. Authorities are still actively searching for Jorge Gomez, 30, in connection with the investigation. These are large scale drug traffickers who we believe are responsible for the distribution of hundreds of kilos of methamphetamine in our communities over the last year. THIS INVESTIGATION WAS A COLLABORATION OF LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL. What began with a traffic stop turned into something bigger. Asheville, NC (April 1, Officers also took nearly 400 grams of methamphetamine and almost $11,000 in Logans arrest. Billy Ray Johnson is being held on a $500,000 bond. Luis Angel Ventura Castro, 21, and Omar Garcia Luna, 20, were arrested after authorities found 517 grams of uncut fentanyl inside their vehicle with a street value of $258,000. The seizure was part of an ongoing investigation that began in September 2021 when the Forsyth County Drug Task Force learned that 31-year-old Lakeith Rayvon Lindsay, of Winston-Salem, may be distributing narcotics throughout the county, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office said Wednesday. Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. By Jordan Gartner. Police: Drug dealer arrested with enough fentanyl to kill 625K people, N.C. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Asheville, NC (April 1, Officers also took nearly 400 grams of methamphetamine and almost $11,000 in Logans arrest. Thanks goes out to all who have helped and will continue to help our investigations.". Lindsay was being held in the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center with no bond. One variable in the equation will keep the economic progress engine moving forward or stop it in its tracks: affordable, reliable energy. The 33-year-old was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. Drug poisonings are the leading killer of Americans between 18 and 45. WebInvestigators called the case Prison Empire and said they have seized 44 pounds of methamphetamine, 11 pounds of heroin and 3 pounds of cocaine, as well as 82 firearms. The rising cases of fentanyl deaths have hit close to home to many across the country and North Carolina. 1. That makes this the largest drug bust ever in Lincoln County, according to the news release. Poppy Bust: $500,000,000 In Published: Apr. WebASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Buncombe Countys history. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Reports say the fentanyl was made in Mexico and sent to the U.S. to be made into synthetic pills for sale on the streets. A driver was arrested Sunday for starting a fire at The Landing apartments, an East Carolina University student-living complex. "One of our narcotics investigators came to the house looking for something else," Catawba County Sheriff Coy Reid told the Hickory Daily Record. ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- A traffic stop early Thursday on I-95 southbound resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in Nash County history. Police said in June, Juan Sebastian, 55, of North Wilkesboro, was arrested with 2 kilograms of meth. "The scourge of methamphetamine ruins the health of the user and destroys families. Williams is behind bars after his bond was set at $2 million on the combined charges, jail records show. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Buncombe Countys history. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who refuse to be positive contributors to society and bring them to justice. The first and biggest bust occurred on Oct. 12 when Mario Alberto Castro Solache, 29, of Raleigh; Pedro Mondragon, 27, of Lillington; and Ignacio Rodriguez, 28, Bradenton, Florida, were arrested in connection to the largest drug bust in the history of Polk County, Florida. Southeast Raleigh pastor celebrates 40 years of service, Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid pressure to slash costs, Railroad crossing work could create traffic delays in Wake Forest. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WXII-TV. RELATED: Heroin causing havoc in Nash County. I see people leaving their families over this," Stone said. The pot was grown in Fresno County, Cal., a rural area notorious for its tough cannabis laws. 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