Thread: Arrests, seizures, drug busts, etc. for 7/25/12

I.C.E. News Release

U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter, Blaine Sector July 12 – July 18

(Monday, July 23, 2012)

Blaine, Wash. – The information listed below was acquired from arrests and seizures related to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol in the Blaine Sector area of operations. For security reasons, this list of enforcement actions may not be complete.

07/14/2012 – CBP U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a request for assistance from the Swinomish Police Department regarding a subject they had detained near La Conner, Washington. The agents determined that the individual was a citizen of Mexico who was previously removed from the United States. The suspect was placed under arrest and processed for reinstatement of prior orders of removal.

07/15/2012 - Operators of a remote video surveillance system observed a subject illegally cross the United States/Canada border east of Blaine, Washington. CBP Blaine Border Patrol agents responded to the area and encountered a person who matched the description of the person seen crossing the border. The suspect was determined to be a citizen of Canada and admitted to being in the United States illegally. The individual was placed under arrest and processed for removal.

07/15/2012 - CBP Sumas Border Patrol agents responded to a call from a concerned citizen who had witnessed four individuals cross the United States/Canada border north of Lynden, Washington. The four subjects were located and determined to be citizens of India. Each subject admitted to being present in the United States illegally. The suspects were placed under arrest and processed for removal.

07/15/2012 – CBP Bellingham Border Patrol agents responded to a request for assistance from the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office regarding a subject they had detained south of Sedro-Woolley, Washington. The agents determined that the individual was a citizen of Mexico who was previously removed from the United States. The suspect was placed under arrest and processed for reinstatement of a prior order of removal.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter, Blaine Sector July 12

FBI E-Mail Updates

Former State Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Pornography Charge July 25, 2012 - Albuquerque Oregon-Based Research Consultant Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to Insider Trading Charges July 25, 2012 - New York Federal Criminal Complaint Filed Against Two Escapees July 25, 2012 - Milwaukee Former Pennsville Police Officer Charged with Obstructing Child Pornography Investigation July 25, 2012 - Philadelphia Sanostee Man Sentenced for Federal Felony Child Abuse Conviction July 25, 2012 - Albuquerque Indian Trail Woman Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Wire Fraud and Filing a False Tax Returns July 25, 2012 - Charlotte Brooklyn Man Charged with Transporting a Minor in Interstate Commerce to Engage in Sexual Activity July 25, 2012 - New York Multi-State Bank Robber Pleads Guilty to 21 Counts July 25, 2012 - Sacramento Madison Woman Admits Making False Statements About Use of Federal Funds July 25, 2012 - New Haven Federal Court Arraignments July 25, 2012 - Salt Lake City Co-Owners of Houston-Area Durable Medical Equipment Company Sentenced to Prison for Role in $1.8 Million Medicare Fraud July 25, 2012 - Houston www.fbi.gov

Local News for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Rio Grande City Port CBP Officers Seize More Than $2 Million in Marijuana
07/25/2012 05:36 PM EDT
Rio Grande City, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Rio Grande City port of entry seized over 2,500 pounds of alleged marijuana with an estimated street value of $2,070,000. On July 23, CBP officers at the Rio Grande City/Ciudad Camargo International Bridge cargo facility came in contact with a red 2008 International tractor/trailer that arrived with a manifested commercial shipment of serrano peppers. (more)

Agents Seize More Than 840 Pounds of Marijuana; Value at $672,000
07/25/2012 05:36 PM EDT
El Paso, Texas - El Paso Sector Border Patrol Agents in New Mexico and Texas arrested four drug smugglers and seized approximately 847 pounds of marijuana in three separate seizures during a 48-hour period.On July 22, agents assigned to the Lordsburg, N. (more)

Lost Hikers Rescued by CBP Agencies' Coordinated Efforts

07/25/2012 05:36 PM EDT
Tucson, Ariz. - Two hikers reported missing in Sycamore Canyon were rescued Monday night by Nogales Border Patrol agents working in cooperation with a helicopter crew from Customs and Border Protection's Office of Air and Marine, Tucson Air Branch.Assisted by the OAM crew, agents located the 63-year-old man and 11-year-old child within a short time after being flagged down by a concerned family member. (more)

www.ice.gov

DEA agents make 4 arrests during Wednesday's raid

Posted at: 07/25/2012 6:54 PM
By: Jill Galus, KOB Eyewitness News 4

DEA agents raided 16 different businesses and residences around Albuquerque Wednesday, looking for popular synthetic drugs known as bath salts and spice.

The raids are in effort to tackle a disturbing trend.

The danger of the substances is debatable.

Alicia Weber who admitted to using spice and bath salts said she feels the effects are blown out of proportion.

At the same time, a local therapist said spice and bath salts cause hallucinations, paranoia and symptoms similar to smoking methamphetamine.

"Damn it, this was the only state you could still get this [expletive] stuff in," Weber said, as she was disappointed to find the M&M Smoke Shop at Central and University closed as DEA agents raided it.

"I think it's just sort of a losing battle," Weber said. "They're never gonna beat it, there's always gonna be more and more chemicals being made."

While the chemicals in both synthetic marijuana and bath salts are outlawed in New Mexico, many smoke shops still sell it.

Back in May, an undercover 4 On Your Side investigation revealed the M&M Smoke Shop sold it - something they are able to do over the counter - because officials said the illegal chemical make up of the stuff is so easily modified.

"I think what's going to happen is they're going to take a bunch of samples, have it sent to the FBI labs for analysis and compare it to the list that I have in my office and not find anything," said Mike Barnett, president of the Independent Small Business Retail Association.

While some argue the substances sold in Albuquerque are completely legal, others claim manufacturers find ways to skirt around the law.

"The reason why the shops are able to sell it is because they just change the chemical make up of what's being sold just a little bit, and once they change it they can sort of get around the laws," said Samantha Ashby, a local therapist.

More often than not, Ashby said bath salts and spice are gateway drugs for teens who are becoming increasingly addicted.

"They tend to use it because it won't show up on a drug screen," Ashby said.

But for customers like Weber, she feels the crackdown is a waste of resources.

"I just think that the Drug Enforcement Administration in New Mexico has a lot bigger fish to fry," Ashby said.

Agents arrested four men involved in the bust. Each made their first appearances in federal court Wednesday afternoon.

DEA agents make 4 arrests during Wednesday's raid | KOB.com

CRIME: Authorities raid Escondido bath salts business, arrest five workers

2012-07-25T18:30:00Z2012-07-25T19:25:38Z
North County Times
3 hours ago • By TERI FIGUEROA tfigueroa@nctimes.com



This box of what federal authorities said is bath salts made and sold in Escondido was among the items seized Wednesday in a raid on an Escondido business. Photo courtesy U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

Federal and local authorities raided a business and a residence in Escondido on Wednesday and arrested five employees as part of an investigation into the manufacture and sales of drugs known as "spice" and "bath salts," according to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spokeswoman.

Authorities seized large amounts of prepackaged bath salts and spice for sale, along with chemicals and packaging materials, in the DEA's first raid of a bath salts and spice manufacturing operation in San Diego County, DEA spokeswoman Amy Roderick said.

The raid was part of a larger investigation that will be addressed at a press conference Thursday at the DEA's headquarters in Virginia, she said.

Investigators seized the drugs at the business known as Magic Blends, which Roderick said was making and marketing them as "glass cleaner" and "shoe deodorizer."

Roderick identified the men arrested as Alan Barillas, 20; Simon Hodge, 18; Caleb Grissom, 18; Johnny Oates, 18; and Daniel Pollock, 20. All five were employees of the business, she said.

She said authorities also raided a home on Ryan Drive, which is on the city's southern end, near Bear Valley Parkway and San Pasqual Road.

With a growing popularity nationwide, "bath salts" and "spice" are designer drug products that look like bath salts but ---- unlike legitimate bath salts ---- are laced with chemical compounds called simulated cathinones. The drugs produce a methamphetamine- and Ecstasy-like high when snorted, injected or smoked.

The drugs cause users to feel alert and euphoric, according to the DEA. Like other stimulants, cathinones can be addictive, and reportedly have caused extreme paranoia, panic attacks and a host of health problems.

Legislation approved last year made it a misdemeanor to distribute or sell key chemical compounds used to make the designer drugs in California.

CRIME: Authorities raid Escondido bath salts business, arrest five workers : Escondido

I.C.E.News Release

July 26, 2012
Little Rock, AR

Arkansas family indicted in bath salts investigation

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A Heber Springs, Ark., family and three others have been indicted for distribution of synthetic narcotics, known as bath salts, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

Christopher Hogan, age 45; Zachary Cordell, age 20; Eric Harlow, age 22; and Jeremy Allen, age 19, appeared Tuesday before United States Magistrate Judge H. David Young on charges related to a conspiracy to distribute synthetic narcotics. Two additional defendants in this case, Christopher Hogan's wife, Angelique Hogan, age 44, and son, Kristian Hogan, age 20, are scheduled to appear for arraignment later this week.

"Law enforcement agencies must be able to adapt quickly to new threats facing our communities," said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. "The use of these unsafe and unpredictable products all too often ends in a hospital emergency room. HSI and our partners are taking a strong stance against bath salts and other drug analogues." Parmer oversees HSI activities in Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Bath salts are a street name for illegal synthetic narcotics, including Methylone, Pentedrone and MDPV. These synthetic narcotics are Schedule I controlled substances or analogues to Schedule I controlled substances, which are illegal to possess and which have no legitimate consumer use. Bath salts mimic the effects of commonly recognized drugs, such as methamphetamine and MDMA, also known as Ecstasy, and often are more potent and have greater effects on the user. The bath salts in this case were manufactured in and imported from China by Christopher Hogan. The drugs were distributed by Hogan and others to individuals in the Heber Springs area, primarily teenagers and young adults.

The investigation began as a CCSO case. In July 2011, CCSO executed a search warrant at the Hogan residence and seized items used in the distribution of bath salts. Christopher Hogan was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. While on bond (during the Fall of 2011 and into the Spring of 2012) Hogan continued to import and distribute bath salts.

In January 2012, HSI special agents intercepted a package from China addressed to Christopher Hogan. The package contained approximate 250 grams of Methylone. HSI began a joint investigation with CCSO and USPIS which resulted in this indictment.

Each charge of aiding and abetting, possession and conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver these synthetic narcotics carry a possible sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine or both, with not less than three years of supervised release to follow. The charge of misprision of a felony has a possible sentence of not more than three years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, with not more than one year of supervised release to follow.

An indictment contains only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.

• U.S. Dept of Homeland Security
• Arkansas family indicted in bath salts investigation