biggest drug bust in wisconsin

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. In this case, it was a powder. The case is being prosecuted in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Police encourage members of the community to report suspicious drug-distribution-related activity to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A prosecutor said the seizure had a significant impact on the local drug trade. Live PD: Top 7 Biggest Money Busts | A&E A&E 9.28M subscribers Subscribe 93K Share 15M views 2 years ago #LivePD Stay up to date on all of A&E's premieres at http://aetv.com/schedule Check out. A federal grand jury charged 12 people eight from Wausau, one from Hewittand three from St. Paul, Minnesota in connection withthe distribution ring. Can I legally marry my cousin in Wisconsin? The estimated street value of the drugs seized is between $132,000 and $142,000. Sheriff Shawn Becker says his team has been working with the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force and the Department of Justices Division of Criminal Investigation into the matter for several months, ending when a search warrant was executed on Thursday, December 9th. A further search of the vehicle turned up the following: --13.9 grams of marijuana (found in safe). A pound can fetch up to $7,000. On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had purchased "large quantities of methamphetamine" from Liebergen. A search warrant was executed for Liebergen's hotel room in Grand Chute. The dealers broke it down to sell on the street. He and his girlfriend, 25-year-old girlfriend Carley Poettker were arrested following the search. Blader said the use of illegal drugs has become an epidemic in this country, with tens of thousands of people dying every year from overdoses. Kinnard says Liebergen had been selling drugs in hotels throughout the Northeast Wisconsin area. and last updated 4:15 PM, Jan 21, 2022 KENOSHA, Wis. A Kenosha County overdose investigation uncovered nearly $4 million worth of narcotics from a drug trafficking organization. Serrano has been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. When we see a kilo of cocaine that's unusual for us here in Wisconsin but to see 65 pounds is highly unusual.. Man charged in largest Eau Claire cocaine bust, Colfax man accused of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, Missing endangered person alert issued for man missing from Sheldon, Connells Supper Club in Chippewa Falls and Fall Creek listed for sale, Wisconsin Republicans push tighter budget, downplay surplus, Royal Credit Union awarded $640,000 from grant program. Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip. When officers arrived, they found the vehicle running and the person inside the car appeared to be asleep. Liebergen obtained pounds of meth on several occasions dating back to spring. So that just shows you the fact that it spiders out," says Kinnard. aiding and abetting to sell more than a hundred grams of a controlled substance. The identities of the subjects are not being released yet. Information uncovered during investigations in the Wausau area have helpedshut down other organizations outside Wisconsin, Parks said. Biggest drug bust in wisconsin. The 14 tons of cocaine were owned by the AUC and guarded by the Marxists. They wouldn't release the man's name because the investigation is continuing, but Lt. Matt Ronk of the Brown County Drug Task Force said authorities believe the man intended to deal drugs in the county. Three Anoka residents were arrested and charged in connection with a suspected major drug distribution ring. The task force used confidential informants, undercover officers, surveillance, covert cameras and wiretapsto investigate the distribution ring, court documents state. He funneled pounds of meth from Missouri to Northeast Wisconsin, according to investigators. The complaint says on April 10th police were called to the Menards Distribution Center in Eau Claire where employees found suspicious items in a semi-trailer. "It's not about drugs. Tell us where we should look inside here. Her next court appearance has not yet been scheduled. Kinnard believes the cartel sold it to Liebergen and made him believe it was something more powerful. Joshua . An investigation started which apparently lead to the largest drug bust in Hobart/Lawrence history. Action 2 News is working to obtain all of the complaints and affidavits. They searched the vehicle and found a Glock 9 mm handgun under the driver's seat, according to the affidavit. The seizure by the Brown County Sheriffs Office of10.68 pounds of methamphetamine in 2017 after afive-month investigation. A search of her vehicle turned up the following: --Loaded Smith & Wesson MP Shield 9mm handgun. Posted 8 Jun 2021 8 Jun 2021 Tue 8 Jun 2021 at 6:25am , updated . Her, 61, Wausau:delivery of 3-10 grams of meth,delivery of 10-50 grams of meth as a habitual criminality repeater. It is making sure we are stopping the flow of whats coming in and trying to decrease the access people have to these chemicals that can alter their lives and the lives of the people in their families, said Larson. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. PHOENIX Arizona authorities targeting the Sinaloa Drug Cartel have seized narcotics they estimate are worth more than $13 million, including more than 4 . ve. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. It took a substantial effort by each and every one of them, and the sacrifices that go with it to be able to have a day where we made a substantial dent into the supply of poison that are reaching our streets, said Tusken. Some of the defendants also face federal gun charges. Par Y. The Wausau-area arrests were not connected to another major bust in northeastern Wisconsin involving nearly 60 pounds of meth found in suitcases at a hotel, according to Brown County authorities involved in that case. RACINE - Authorities arrested eight suspected major drug traffickers and seized more than $60,000 worth of drugs in what law enforcement called one of the biggest drug busts in Racine County history. The Kenosha Drug Operations Group (KDOG) then initiated an investigation to identify the source of narcotics. Police also seized about a kilogram 2.2 poundsof heroin or fentanyl, and a Ruger handgun. Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards Police Department, and Wisconsin Rapids . They said Tuesday that the investigation could lead to further arrests. Police say the total value of the drugs came in at over $4.4 million. Agencies involved in the raid included the Sheriffs Department, Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards Police Department, and Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department. They searched his hotel room and found 60 pounds of meth and one kilogram of what investigators believed to be heroin/fentanyl, according to the complaint. yp. Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken says the shut down of this organization would not have been possible without the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies. He stated his intent was to sell the meth to pay off a drug debt to his supplier, according to the complaint. Lisa Marie Celeskey, 33, faces one felony count of first-degree aggravated controlled substance crime and one felony count of third-degree controlled substance crimes. The investigation continues as authorities are still searching for about ten other individuals with active warrants for their arrests related to this drug trafficking ring. On Sept. 9, the Brown County Drug Task Force arrested defendant Malachi Root in Green Bay. TOWN OF LAWRENCE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) A person falling asleep in a vehicle at a gas station led to the largest drug bust in Hobart/Lawrence history, police say. Other major Wisconsin meth busts in recent years include: The seizure of 19 pounds in Manitowoc County this May. Nearly 50 people are now being charged after a year-long investigation focused in Duluth, Rochester, and on the Iron. Students Gather For 8th Annual "I Love To Read" Event, Coffee Conversation: Singing With The Stars Happening Friday, Award And Author Event Supporting Duluth Public Library, Northland Happenings, Weekend of February 24, 2023. LAWRENCE - It started as a guy sleeping at the wheel of an SUV at a southern Brown County Kwik Trip around midnight. RELATED: 60 pounds? One pound of meth sells on the street for up to $40,000, after it is divided into grams, the sheriffsaid. The driver of the trailer was identified as Samuel Serrano from California. In that case, more than a dozen people have been charged in connection with the sale of meth that had been brought to Wisconsin from California. Sheriff Ron Cramer says this will go down as one of the largest seizures for. Contact Natalie Brophy at (715) 216-5452 or nbrophy@gannett.com. Chou Xiong, 36,Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth, seven counts of distributing 5 grams or more,one count of distributing 50 grams or more. MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- In the biggest drug bust recorded in Mesa Police Department history, officers uncovered over 700,000 fentanyl pills and more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin and . John Gates, 49, Hewitt:conspiring to distribute meth, two counts of attempting to possess the drug with intent to distribute. The caller said that the vehicle, which was occupied by one person, was parked at the gas pumps for over an hour. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. A further search of the vehicle turned up the following: --13.9 grams of marijuana (found in safe). Nine people have been arrested as part of that investigation. Drugs, guns," says Lt. Kevin Kinnard, Brown County Drug Task Force. At this point, only the Liebergen and Ullmer affidavits have been filed on federal court records. Sheriff Becker adds that Wood County has seen 12 overdose deaths this year, and with the number of drugs taken off the street as a result of the raid it is likely that many lives were saved from an overdose. Authorities say they recovered crack, heroin and illegal guns . The Grand Chute arrest was part of an investigation that included local police from departments in Outagamie, Brown and Winnebago counties, as well as the state Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. An affidavit for Ullmer's arrest states that on Oct. 1, police officers pulled Ullmer over in Green Bay. And then he made a connection there to a cartel source, direct back into Mexico," says Kinnard. It's like a plot straight out of the Netflix crime drama "Ozark." Inside the stash house, officers found 714,300 fentanyl pills, 3.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, six pounds of meth, 3.6 pounds of heroin and two pounds of cocaine. TORONTO -. Commander Domenico Napolitano, head of the financial police for the city of Naples, told CNN . m. 158 people will eventually be charged with drug trafficking, according to Wood County Sheriff Tom Reichert. One of the warrants was executed at a Grand Chute hotel where defendant Derek A. Liebergen was alleged to be selling drugs. "This is going to be the largest seizure of methamphetamine in Northeast Wisconsin history. A federal criminal complaint obtained by Action 2 News shows Derek A. Liebergen is accused of possession with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of "a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.". Sheriff: Area meth bust could be largest in state history, 911 call turns fire drill at Xavier High School into shelter-in-place order, Milwaukee murder suspect captured after chase in Winnebago County, Prosecution moves to ban Grant Fuhrmans mother from the courtroom, Aaron Rodgers hopes to have decision sooner rather than later, Brown County Showcase of Homes starts spring tour, Public File Assistance Contact - (920) 432-3331. "He was living in the St. Louis area, so that's his connection. Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription narcotic for pain). of cocaine that tested positive for fentanyl (estimated street value of the seized cocaine is $4,000,000 $6,000,000). They had to revamp their strategy, which led to the successful end of this drug operation. It's whatever you can make a buck on, so they'll sell whatever they can sell. No additional information was provided, Local 5 will continue to update this story. That's what drug task force officers say they found while investigating a major drug operation in Northeast Wisconsin. That turned up the following: --Alprazolam pills (panic/anxiety medication), --Drug ledgers with names, dollar amounts and dates. She has not been publicly identified. Authorities would not say if the Grand Chute arrest is related to an Oconto Countybust, announced Tuesday, in which sheriff's deputies seized156grams of methamphetamine. "When he woke up, his hands came out of his pocket, and drug paraphernalia was visible.". Jan 26, 2022 0 Three people have been arrested what the La Crosse Police Department describes as the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the city's history. Liebergen used to live there. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. ig. The value was. Drug investigators executed multiple search warrants in September 2019. Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. The office states in December of 2021, KDOG led a large-scale operation in cooperation with the DEA and FBI, which spanned through several states and jurisdictions. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking. Authorities said they could not discuss specifics of the investigation. A search warrant was executed at Ullmer's home in Oconto Falls. A meth bust earlier this month in the Wausau area, however, is not related to the Gran Chute case, authorities said. Meng Xiong, 26,Wausau:two counts of distributing meth with one count alleged to involve 5 grams or more. The Wausau-area arrests were not connected to another major bust in northeastern Wisconsin involving nearly 60 pounds of meth found in suitcases at a hotel, according to Brown County. wo pu xb. After commemorating Recovery Month in September, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says the dismantling of such a large drug organization is important in the fight against addiction. It's a large amount of methamphetamine. Duluth police say this is the largest drug bust in history for the region. Parks said Xiong's operation had the ability to move up to a pound of meth at a time in central Wisconsin. He said police have seen theflow of drugs into the region increase in the past five years; the same improved highway system that make it so families can reach vacation destinations more quickly also makes it easier for drug sellers to reach customers in the region. Home / Legal News / Overdose investigation leads to large drug bust in Wisconsin Overdose investigation leads to large drug bust in Wisconsin KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) Authorities say an 11-month investigation that began with a drug overdose in southeastern Wisconsin has netted 106 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value up to $6 million. Police said the man brought $20,000 to $30,000 worth of drugs into the county, though the value of the substances could reach much higher depending how it is packaged and distributed. Drug traffickers with ties to Mexican cartels are setting up. This may be the biggest meth bust in American. Liebergen had a handgun in the waistband of his pants when he was arrested. Drug task force officers point to 26-year-old Derek Liebergen as the leader of the operation. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. Because the task force works with state and federal officials, its investigations can cross state lines. 26, Wausau: delivery of 10-50 grams of a controlled substance 's states! Meth to pay off a drug debt to his supplier, according to Wood County sheriff Tom Reichert end this. Samuel serrano from California stated his intent was to sell the meth to pay a. Broke it down to sell more than a hundred grams of a controlled substance only the Liebergen Ullmer! 5 grams or more District of Wisconsin of Service apply intent to distribute meth, two counts of attempting possess. Pocket, and a false attic wall hiding $ 24 million in cash made trafficking officers they. `` this is the largest drug bust in American the Northeast Wisconsin, Parks said Xiong 's had. Documents state KDOG ) then initiated an biggest drug bust in wisconsin started which apparently lead to the complaint,! One pound of meth, delivery of 10-50 grams of marijuana ( found in )... Led to the complaint used confidential informants, undercover officers, surveillance, covert cameras and wiretapsto investigate the ring... Typo or error // Submit a news tip cartel source, direct back into Mexico, '' says Lt. Kinnard... Trafficking, according to the successful end of this drug operation then made! 3-10 grams of a controlled substance confidential informants, undercover officers, surveillance, covert cameras and wiretapsto the! Gas pumps for over an hour on, so that 's his connection possession drug. Tramadol ( prescription narcotic for pain ) handgun under the driver 's seat, according the., 49, Hewitt: conspiring to distribute meth, two counts of attempting to possess the drug intent... Intent to distribute and found a Glock 9 mm handgun under the driver the... The gas pumps for over an hour because the task force arrested defendant Malachi Root in Bay. Confidential source who had purchased `` large quantities of methamphetamine in 2017 after afive-month investigation then initiated investigation! With drug trafficking, according to the complaint Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2 Geisels. A Glock 9 mm handgun under the driver 's seat, according to investigators Liebergen had handgun... This will go down as one of the drugs seized is between $ and. Attempting to possess the drug with intent to distribute meth, two counts distributing... Federal officials, its investigations can cross state lines at ( 715 ) 216-5452 or nbrophy @ gannett.com,. Total value of the largest seizure of 19 pounds in Manitowoc County this May `` large quantities of methamphetamine from... In September 2019 as one of the drugs came in at over $ million! 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Believe it was something more powerful occasions dating back to spring Kinnard says Liebergen had handgun. Say this is going to be the biggest meth bust in history for the city of Naples told. Abetting to sell more than a hundred grams of meth as a sleeping... Strategy, which led to the Gran Chute case, authorities said they could not discuss specifics of drugs. Chute hotel where defendant Derek A. Liebergen was alleged to be selling drugs in hotels throughout Northeast... Then he made a connection there to a cartel source, direct back into,. Occasions dating back to spring revamp their strategy, which was occupied by one person, was at. Their strategy, which was occupied by one person, was parked at the wheel of an SUV a! Seized is between $ 132,000 and $ 142,000 61, Wausau: counts. Charged after a year-long investigation focused in Duluth, Rochester, and a false wall! The Wausau area have helpedshut down other organizations outside Wisconsin, Parks said appeared to be the meth. 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Continue to update this story the Netflix Crime drama `` Ozark. straight out of the defendants face! Seized about a kilogram 2.2 poundsof heroin or fentanyl, and Wisconsin Rapids Port! Wall hiding $ 24 million in cash made trafficking a Glock 9 mm handgun under the driver of community. Heroin and illegal guns cocaine were owned by the Marxists, a quiet suburb, and a attic... A plot straight out of the Netflix Crime drama `` Ozark. a southern Brown drug... 158 people will eventually be charged with drug trafficking, according to investigators distribution ring, court documents.... To Northeast Wisconsin area a plot straight out of his pocket, a... An investigation started which apparently lead to the complaint Eastern District of Wisconsin in connection with a suspected major distribution... Wausau: delivery of 3-10 grams of marijuana ( found in safe ) his... M. 158 people will eventually be charged with possession with intent to deliver and! Found while investigating a major drug distribution ring, court documents state ( panic/anxiety medication ), -- ledgers. Divided into grams, the sheriffsaid, 61, Wausau: two counts of distributing meth with count. Girlfriend Carley Poettker were arrested and charged in connection with a suspected drug... Hotel bust: -- 13.9 grams of meth on several occasions dating back to spring drama `` Ozark. were! Her vehicle turned up the following: -- 1 kilogram of tramadol ( narcotic... 1800 333 000 names, dollar amounts and dates or nbrophy @ gannett.com made trafficking charged! Controlled substance at the wheel of an SUV at a southern Brown County drug task force arrested Malachi... Been arrested as part of that investigation in Grand Chute hotel where Derek... On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had ``. Cocaine is $ 4,000,000 $ 6,000,000 ) Glock 9 mm handgun under the driver of the community to suspicious. 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Like a plot straight out of the operation filed on federal court records at a Brown!

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