Drug investigators executed multiple search warrants in September 2019. TOWN OF SARATOGA, WI (WSAU) A large amount of cocaine, Ecstacy, fentanyl, and marijuana was seized as part of a drug bust in the Wood County Town of Saratoga late last week. A further search of the vehicle turned up the following: --13.9 grams of marijuana (found in safe). A search warrant was executed for Liebergen's hotel room in Grand Chute. The driver of the trailer was identified as Samuel Serrano from California. Duluth police say this is the largest drug bust in history for the region. Ronk said a gram of cocaine can sell for about $100, while an ounceof the stimulantcan fetch between $1,300 and $1,800 depending on how pure it is, where it is soldand other factors. 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. $120,000 of personal assets that were determined to be used in the distribution of illicit narcotics. Action 2 News is working to obtain all of the complaints and affidavits. 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. The value was. Three Anoka residents were arrested and charged in connection with a suspected major drug distribution ring. In 1995, the US Coast Guard carried out a huge drug bust off the coast of Peru, which at the time was the biggest drug bust on the high seas, though it would soon be topped. Soua Khang, 23, Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth,three counts of distributing meth. It's like a plot straight out of the Netflix crime drama "Ozark." On Sept. 9, the Brown County Drug Task Force arrested defendant Malachi Root in Green Bay. A search of her vehicle turned up the following: --Loaded Smith & Wesson MP Shield 9mm handgun. The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department says a California man is in custody for the biggest cocaine bust investigators have ever seen in our area. He stated his intent was to sell the meth to pay off a drug debt to his supplier, according to the complaint. Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --58 pound of meth --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription. According to. More information on those is expected to be released at a later date. In this case, it was a powder. Operation Tranquilandia was led by the DEA in 1984. 60 pounds? They had to revamp their strategy, which led to the successful end of this drug operation. This month the DEA made the biggest meth bust in American history: 2200 pounds of meth, nearly 900 pounds of cocaine, and 13 pounds of heroin. Police say on Nov. 9, a traffic stop led to police searching an apartment near Country Club and University drives. However, where exactly the load came from is still under investigation. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider. Something that we've never seen up here in this type of quantity," says Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain. Although Tranquilandia is referred to as a drug lab, it's actually much bigger. Duluth police say this is the largest drug bust in history for the region. 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. DavidPoteat said. Approximately $50,000+ of recovered property stolen from the area. 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. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Officers arrested 36-year-old Jesus Rojas Romero, 20-year-old Alex Ruiz, and 22-year-old Christian Valles Castro after the bust. An investigation started which apparently lead to the largest drug bust in Hobart/Lawrence history. Chai Thao, 34,Wausau:two counts of distributing meth with one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more. Agencies involved in the raid included the Sheriffs Department, Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards Police Department, and Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department. Sheriff Ron Cramer says this will go down as one of the largest seizures for cocaine in the area, This is the single largest seizure for us, actually, he explained. Serrano has been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities said they could not discuss specifics of the investigation. "We are sending a strong and clear message to out-of-state sources that if theyre dumping methamphetaminefrom out of state into Wisconsin, we're going to locate them, prosecute them and send them to federalprison," Blader said. It's a prescription pain reliever that comes in pill form. 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. Police found 1,800kg (283 stone) of what is known locally as. "The task force is in place and has already demonstrated its effectiveness," he said, adding he foresees the group continuing to grow in the future. jw. Investigators found a large number of drugs including over 310 mg of cocaine and over 300 Ecstasy pills. 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. Police say they tookthousands of dollars' worth of illicit drugs off the street, as well as four loaded handgunsand ammunition. Can I legally marry my cousin in Wisconsin? rc Authorities say an 11-month investigation that began with a drug overdose in southeastern Wisconsin has netted 106 pounds of cocaine with an. All of the following items were seized: Methamphetamine Cocaine Fentanyl LSD Marijuana. 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. GRAND CHUTE - A drug raid at anAppleton-area hotel has yielded what authorities call the largest methamphetamine bust in northeastern Wisconsin history, and could put a Kaukauna man behind bars for life. Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. and last updated 2:32 PM, Feb 27, 2023. 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. "At the gram level, in Northeast Wisconsin, it would have been over $2 million at the end," says Kinnard. In the bust, which occurred on Tuesday, authorities were able to seize, more than a pound of heroin and fentanyl, about two and a half pounds of methamphetamine, and two guns. The seizure of roughly 60 pounds of meth last monthput "a serious dent"in the supply of the drug in the region, Brown County District Attorney David Lasee said Tuesday night. Liebergen also is charged with possessing a firearm while committing a drug-trafficking crime. Investigators said the bust is the largest drug haul in the world in terms of both value and quantity. Information uncovered during investigations in the Wausau area have helpedshut down other organizations outside Wisconsin, Parks said. Derek A. Liebergen, 26 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime, Malachai J. Root, 29 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime, Wayne L. Stilen, 39 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime, Sally A. Miller, 35 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Jeremy M. Ludwig, 32 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Kayla R. Kennedy, 39 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Jasmine L. Gillette, 24 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Christopher S. Ullmer, 22 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Peter F. Thao, 23 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances. Liebergen is charged in federal court with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime. "This was the supply source for this part of Wisconsin.". The 10-day sting is. Police said the man's "stash" includedsignificant amounts of cocaine, as well asmethamphetamine, fentanyl, LSD, marijuana, heroin,drug paraphernalia and about $50,000 in cash. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider. They said Tuesday that the investigation could lead to further arrests. Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription narcotic for pain). tv. 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. While searching the semi-trailer officers also found two methamphetamine pipes. On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had purchased "large quantities of methamphetamine" from Liebergen. The value of the seizure at that time was around $350 million which is the equivalent to $415 million in today's money. Ya Yang, 31, Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth. Kinnard says Liebergen had been selling drugs in hotels throughout the Northeast Wisconsin area. Two weeks later, as police have sorted out their findings, Hobart-Lawrence police say the March arrest turns out to have been the largest drug bust the department has ever made. Such a vehiclecan retail for between $28,000 and $35,000 in this region, depending on mileage and condition. He and his girlfriend, 25-year-old girlfriend Carley Poettker were arrested following the search. The arrest is detailed in documents filed in federal court. 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. The dealers broke it down to sell on the street. A federal grand jury in Green Bay has indicted nine people in the drug conspiracy--believed to be one of the largest in state history. Federal charges have been filed against a man accused of selling large quantities of meth out of a hotel room in Grand Chute. aiding and abetting to sell more than a hundred grams of a controlled substance. 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. She has not been publicly identified. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip. RELATED: 60 pounds? The name of the suspect is reportedly being withheld, as it is an active investigation. As a result of that investigation, a federal grand jury has returned an six-count indictment charging nine defendants with conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana. Their K-9, Rika . The investigation was conducted by theCentral Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force. Almost two tonnes of methamphetamine has been seized by Australian police - the biggest bust of the drug in the country's history. Her, 61, Wausau:delivery of 3-10 grams of meth,delivery of 10-50 grams of meth as a habitual criminality repeater. Colombian police seized a haul of cocaine found on the Mira River that was one of the biggest seizures of this drug ever in the world. And then he made a connection there to a cartel source, direct back into Mexico," says Kinnard. 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. And I believe this could be one of the largest seizures of methamphetamine in the state of Wisconsin history. This may be the biggest meth bust in American. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is between $132,000 and $142,000. Inaddition to the illegal drugs, police seized what they called "alarge amount" of prescription medications and designer pills. After a lengthy investigation, officials say detectives uncovered a large drug trafficking organization in Pleasant Prairie. 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. It was operating primarily in Wisconsin and Illinois. The affidavit for Ullmer's arrest states that on Oct. 1, police officers pulled Ullmer over in Green Bay. The driver was asked to step out of the car and was placed in handcuffs. m. 158 people will eventually be charged with drug trafficking, according to Wood County Sheriff Tom Reichert. Deputies also confiscated24grams of MDMA commonly known as the club drug "ecstasy" 64grams of hashish oil, 27grams of marijuana, 3.5grams of cocaine, illegally obtained prescription medication, drug paraphernalia and two guns. According to Duluth police, this ring sold an estimated $1 million worth of drugs between January and this month. He would rent out a hotel room and "sell multiple pounds of methamphetamine" from the room. "It's just kind of very brazen for sure," says Kinnard. That's what drug task force officers say they found while investigating a major drug operation in Northeast Wisconsin. Authorities in Southern California have seized more than 16 tons of marijuana worth an estimated $1.19 billion, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said Wednesday. Police also confiscated the 2019 Ford Explorer the man had been driving. Police say the total value of the drugs came in at over $4.4 million. Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. Nearly 50 people are now being charged after a year-long investigation focused in Duluth, Rochester, and on the Iron Range brought down this drug operation. 37-year-old Ricky Osborne of Rochester is believed to be one of the ring leaders of the operation. Chou Xiong, 36,Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth, seven counts of distributing 5 grams or more,one count of distributing 50 grams or more. A conviction on that charge carries a minimumof five years in prison. Two weeks later, as police have sorted out their findings, Hobart-Lawrence police say the March arrest turns out to have been the largest drug bust the department has ever made. Liebergen used to live there. Tell us where we should look inside here. Liebergen agreed to an interview after his arrest. No additional information was provided, Local 5 will continue to update this story. Drug traffickers with ties to Mexican cartels are setting up. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Because the task force works with state and federal officials, its investigations can cross state lines. Liebergen obtained pounds of meth on several occasions dating back to spring. Authorities say they recovered crack, heroin and illegal guns . Ger Moua, 31,Wausau:three counts of distributing meth with one count alleged to involve 5 grams or more and one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more,possessing a firearm fora drug trafficking crime,being a felon in possession of a firearm. Meng Xiong, 26,Wausau:two counts of distributing meth with one count alleged to involve 5 grams or more. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Liebergenwas taken into custody at the hotel on Sept. 11, and formally charged on Sept. 16, court records show. "You're traveling and little do you know that right next to you, is a guy with a handgun and 50 pounds of meth.". At a news conference Thursday, Duluth police officials said they worked with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to seize roughly 1,207 grams of meth and 527 grams of heroin and. Duluth police Lt. Jeff Kazel, commander of the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force announces the results of what authorities said was the largest drug bust in the region's history. The federal government has made it a priority to go after distributors. Police caught up with Liebergen at a Grand Chute hotel. Root in Green Bay for pain ) searching the semi-trailer officers also found two methamphetamine pipes, 31,:! Because the Task Force drugs, police seized biggest drug bust in wisconsin they called `` alarge amount '' of medications... 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