Results 1 to 6 of 6
Like Tree8Likes

Thread: Armed Mexican meth traffickers arrested in Florida received welfare and Medicaid

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

  1. #1
    Administrator Jean's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    California
    Posts
    65,443

    Armed Mexican meth traffickers arrested in Florida received welfare and Medicaid

    March 21, 2014
    Steve McDonald
    examiner.com

    On March 19, 2014, Polk County, Florida Sheriff’s officials announced the arrest of 13 persons associated with methamphetamine drug trafficking criminal enterprise that exploited America’s porous Mexican border. According to Donna Wood, the Public Information Officer for the Polk County Sheriff’s office, 11 of those arrested were illegal aliens from Mexico. In addition, officers seized 44 pounds of methamphetamine, about 100 firearms, including rifles, shotguns and handguns, over one thousand rounds of ammunition, and 5 bulletproof vests. Law enforcement officials tied the operation to the border city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and the more centrally located state of Guerrero, Mexico. Officials also issued warrants for 12 other suspects charged in connection with the smuggling network.

    Ms. Wood also noted that many of those arrested were receiving some type of government welfare assistance, either in the form of an EBT card or benefits from Medicaid, which supplemented the income reaped from the drug smuggling enterprise. This included one of the leaders of the organization in Florida, Maria Concepcion Lopez. Officials deported Ms. Lopez after she served a 3-year sentence for drug trafficking. Barred from returning to the U.S. for life and in spite of the possibility of facing several years in prison for doing so., Ms. Lopez crossed back into the U.S. illegally and was a key manager of the drug ring’s Florida operations, which governed the distribution of methamphetamine to several central Florida counties.

    Others arrested include Jose Luis Rios, Luis Villafuerte-Rojas, Joel Tapia, Debra Tapia, Tara Tapia, Maria Lopez-Ontiveros, Dioscelina Galarza-Osorio, Alfredo Ortiz-Hernandez, Maria Widdows, Joseph Workman, Joseph Angelo Rinaldi, and Eugenia Lopez.

    Officials stated it was too soon in the investigation to determine if any of the weapons seized were associated with the 2009-2011 Fast and Furious operation, which facilitated the purchase of assault-style weapons by Mexican drug trafficking organizations.

    Agencies involved in this investigation included the Polk County HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office, DEA, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

    http://www.examiner.com/article/arme...e-and-medicaid
    Support our FIGHT AGAINST illegal immigration & Amnesty by joining our E-mail Alerts at https://eepurl.com/cktGTn

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Newmexican's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Heart of Dixie
    Posts
    36,012
    If they are turned over to ICE will they just be released out of the back door?

  3. #3
    Super Moderator Newmexican's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Heart of Dixie
    Posts
    36,012
    Video of takedown at the link.

    ‘Operation Hoodoo Voodoo’: Police Bust Massive Drug Ring Operating Based on a Voodoo Priest’s ‘Prophecies’


    Mar. 21, 2014 10:30pm
    Billy Hallowell

    Authorities in Florida busted a methamphetamine drug ring this week that included more than two dozen suspects — one of whom is a voodoo priest who leaders purportedly relied upon for “predictions, prophecies and readings” to help them smuggle drugs across the country.

    In a mission known as “Operation Hoodoo Voodoo,” detectives and agents determined that 25 suspects were involved in trafficking the illicit drug throughout Florida’s Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole Counties, according to a press release distributed by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
    Image Source: Polk County Sheriff’s Office

    Police arrested at least 16 suspects this week in an investigation that first began in October 2013.

    Authorities believe that the methamphetamine was organized by a supplier in Southern California known as “El Don,” whose real name is Javier Flores; he is still at large.

    “Flores resides in southern California and managed large scale methamphetamine shipments to Lakeland, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, and Las Vegas, Nevada through southern California from Mexico,” the release reads. “The organization included a network of couriers, managers, distributors and customers.”

    Along with Flores, investigators believe that Ma-Concepcion Lopez, 38, helped lead the ring from her home in Florida. Lopez has a criminal history involving the drug.

    She was released from prison in 2009 after serving three years for conspiring to sell methamphetamine, was subsequently deported to Mexico and then returned illegally to the U.S., according to the Orlando Sentinel.

    It is believed that Flores and Lopez relied upon an unnamed Voodoo priest to help with “predictions” surrounding how the organization should conduct itself, including whether they should continue after detectives intercepted $200,170 in cash back in February.

    “They wanted to know if it was okay to continue,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman Donna Woods told the Orlando Sentinel. “The priest advised them everything’s okay. Just lay low for a couple of weeks. It’s not the police. It’s someone inside the organization.”
    Image Source: Polk County Sheriff’s Office

    But it was the police after all and the interception helped build a case against the suspects.

    The unnamed priest was in touch with both leaders and lower-level operatives, according to police, serving as a spiritual adviser — and apparently a failed one at that.

    Investigators also intercepted 44 points of methamphetamine this week — worth $2 million — at a local truck stop, according to the statement. Additionally, they seized tens of thousands of dollars, vehicles and approximately 100 weapons and ammunition.

    The investigation involved the Polk County Sheriff’s Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force detectives, members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Orlando District Office, Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives.

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/03/21/operation-hoodoo-voodoo-police-bust-massive-drug-ring-operating-based-on-a-voodoo-priests-prophecies/–

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Newmexican's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Heart of Dixie
    Posts
    36,012
    Deputies: Voodoo helped guide ring before arrests

    California supplier shipped drugs to Lakeland, Atlanta and Las Vegas

    Same video as above.
    (Video courtesy of Polk Sheriff's Office) Deputies in Polk County today will reveal details about the downfall of a major methamphetamine drug-trafficking organization.

    By Henry Pierson Curtis, Staff Writer7:40 p.m. EDT, March 19, 2014


    A drug ring that employed a vast network — including a voodoo priest — supplying methamphetamine across Central Florida and the U.S. was shutdown this week, the Polk County Sheriff's office announced Wednesday.

    The 13 suspects arrested Tuesday were among 25 couriers, distributors and street dealers identified in Operation Hoodoo Voodoo, the investigation of an alleged multimillion-dollar meth pipeline from Mexico.

    Javier Flores, known as "El Don (The Boss)," supervised the shipments from his home in southern California and remains at large, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

    On Tuesday, 44 pounds of the powerful amphetamine were seized at Love's Truck Stop in Polk City, where one of the ring leaders, Luis Villafuerte-Rojas, was arrested when the shipment arrived by truck from California.

    The uncut powder was worth about $2 million, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

    The identity of the priest and where he lived were not released during a news conference Wednesday.

    Serving as spiritual adviser to Flores and Ma-Conception Lopez, 38, the ring's other alleged leader in Central Florida, the priest also stayed in contact with lower-level members, said sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Woods.

    In February, after $200,000 in cash was seized by investigators, the ringleaders sought the priest's guidance.

    "They wanted to know if it was OK to continue," said Woods. "The priest advised them everything's OK. Just lay low for a couple of weeks. It's not the police. It's someone inside the organization."
    And then she added, "As a matter of fact, it was the police."

    Lopez, who lived with Villafuerte-Rojas, 39, and allegedly co-managed the ring, served three years in prison after being convicted with conspiring sell methamphetamine in Lakeland.

    After her release in 2009, she was deported to Mexico and returned illegally to Florida, records show.

    "Through their investigation, detectives and agents learned the organized methamphetamine crime ring was responsible for the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole Counties,'' the Sheriff's Office stated in a report.

    The ring was extremely well-armed with about 100 firearms including AR-15 assault rifles, an AK-47 pistol with a drum magazine, a grenade launcher, bulletproof body armor and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

    It could not be learned if any violent crime charges were pending against the 13 defendants arrested so far on methamphetamine-related charges and held in jail.

    "They had everything you can imagine — just all manner of weapons," Woods said.

    Two children, ages 1 and 3, were removed from the home of an unidentified defendant and placed in state custody.

    At least 12 more suspects are sought by the joint investigation that began in October by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, state Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution and the sheriff's offices in Lake and Polk counties.

    Those at large include Flores, believed to be about 40, and Joshua Widdows, who had about 75 firearms that were seized during a search of his Lakeland home.

    Widdows and fellow fugitive Tyler Scott were friends with Matthew Tutt, a Polk County burglar who shot and seriously wounded Deputies Mike Braswell and Paul Fairbanks before they returned fire, killing him in June 2010, according to the Sheriff's Office.

    The Operation Hoodoo Voodoo suspects still at large include residents of Georgia, Davenport,Kissimmee, Lakeland, Windermere and Winter Garden.

    http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...,5871635.story


  5. #5
    Super Moderator Newmexican's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Heart of Dixie
    Posts
    36,012
    Polk county Sheriff Press Release.

    Joint Investigation Leads to Breakup of Major Methamphetamine Distribution Network



    As a result of an investigation begun in October, 2013, on Tuesday, March 18, 2014, Polk County Sheriff’s Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force detectives, along with members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Orlando District Office, Florida Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution, and Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives, identified 25 suspects involved in an organized drug trafficking enterprise.

    Through their investigation, detectives and agents learned the organized methamphetamine crime ring was responsible for the distribution of large amounts of methamphetamine in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole Counties.

    Investigators identified the organization’s source of methamphetamine supply as Javier Flores, aka: “El Don.” Flores resides in southern California and managed large scale methamphetamine shipments to Lakeland, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia, and Las Vegas, Nevada through southern California from Mexico. The organization included a network of couriers, managers, distributors and customers. In February, detectives intercepted a $200,170 cash delivery meant to pay for methamphetamine from a courier.

    Investigators also learned Lopez and Flores consulted a Voodoo priest who would provide predictions, prophecies and readings regarding the organization’s decisions and welfare.

    On Tuesday, March 18, 2014, investigators intercepted 44 pounds of methamphetamine at Love’s Truck Stop, 1800 Florida 559, in Polk City. The “uncut” street value of this amount is approximately $2 million. Also, on Tuesday, March 18th, detectives arrested 13 suspects, seized tens of thousands of dollars, seven vehicles, approximately100 weapons, bullet-proof vests, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Two children, ages 1 and 3, were removed from a residence and placed into DCF custody.

    Out of 25 suspects in the organization, 11 are currently receiving Federal/public assistance, and one has been deported, is back in the country illegally, and is currently receiving Federal/public assistance (Ma-Concepcion Lopez).

    During the course of the investigation, detectives and agents learned two of those involved in the methamphetamine network were Josh Widdows, DOB 08/01/1983, 5339 Meadow Grove Trail, Lakeland, and TJ Scott DOB 03/22/1989, 7708 Glen Meadow Drive, Lakeland.

    Widdows and Scott were known to associate with Matthew Tutt, the man responsible for shooting and severely injuring two PCSO deputies in June 2010. At approximately 2:30 am, Friday, June 25, 2010, Deputies Mike Braswell and Paul Fairbanks were patrolling in the area of Plateau Avenue and Josephine Street in the Wabash area of unincorporated Polk County near Lakeland. There had been a number of burglaries in the area. During their encounter, Tutt pulled a gun from under his shirt and shot at both deputies. Tutt was killed when deputies returned fire. Now retired, Deputy Paul Fairbanks was shot three times, and Deputy Mike Braswell was shot four times. Both deputies recovered. Widdows and Scott bought Meth from Rojas and in turn were selling the meth on the streets of Polk County.

    Detectives with served search warrants at the following addresses:

    2322 View Way, Lakeland (Lopez & Rojas’ residence)

    10910 Sportsman Trail, Lakeland (Lopez & Rojas’ residence)

    402 Wildlife Trail, Lakeland (Lopez & Rojas’ residence)

    3604 Glenoak Drive South, Lakeland – Joshua Widdows’ residence

    3839 NW 1st NW Street, Lakeland – Tyler Scott’s residence

    2015 Adair Road, Davenport – Rios residence

    Arrested were:

    Jose Luis Rios, DOB 08/06/1966, 2322 View Way, Lakeland: Rios is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 Grams – first degree felony mandating a 15 year minimum mandatory sentence. Criminal arrest history: 1992-DUI; 2005-cocaine trafficking; 2006-amphetamine or meth 14 grams or over; possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, keep a public structure for burglary activity, paraphernalia.

    Ma-Concepcion Lopez, DOB 12/08/1975, 2322 View Way, Lakeland: claims she is married to Rojas: Lopez is charged with Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, a life felony; Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency, $100,000 or more, first degree felony; Possession of a Place or Structure used for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, a second degree felony. *Prior conviction of Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine in 2006 - served 3 years in prison and then was deported. Currently receiving Federal/assistance-previously deported and back in U.S. illegally.

    Luis Villafuerte Rojas, DOB 08/04/1974, 2322 View Way, Lakeland: Rojas is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency $100,000 or more, Possession of a Structure Used for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime, a third degree felony. *Prior convictions of: Assault on an Officer or Firefighter-1999. Criminal arrest history: DUI-2000, DWLSR-2007, False name to a LEO- 2003, 2007. Rojas was in the process of obtaining his U.S. citizenship. Currently receiving Federal/public assistance. (Villafuerte Rojos was arrested at Love’s Truck Stop during the interception of the 44 pounds of Methamphetamine on Tuesday, March 18, 2014.)

    Joel Tapia, DOB 11/14/1983, 2015 Adair Road, Davenport: Tapia is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 14 grams, a first degree felony, mandating a three year minimum mandatory sentence; Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 14 grams; Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. *Prior convictions of: Resist Officer W/O Violence- 2010. Criminal Arrest History: 2003-Burglary; Grand Theft; Criminal Mischief, Theft of Fire Extinguisher, Burglary Conveyance, Shoplifting; 2003-Felony Criminal Mischief; 2004- Felony Criminal Mischief. Joel Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance.

    Debra Tapia, DOB 12/27/1964, 2015 Adair Road, Davenport: Debra Tapia is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 14 grams; Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 14 grams; Possession of a Structure Used for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Criminal Arrest History: Traffic Amphetamine, possession with intent, possession over 20 grams, keep structure for drug activity, possession of drugs-equipment. Debra Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance.

    Tara Tapia, DOB 10/10/1984, 2015 Adair Road, Davenport: Tara Tapia is charged with Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, first degree felony mandating a 7 year minimum mandatory sentence; Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, first degree felony mandating a 15 year minimum mandatory sentence; and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Criminal Arrest History: 2003-Burglary; Grand Theft; Criminal Mischief, Theft of Fire Extinguisher, Burglary Conveyance, Shoplifting; 2003-Felony Criminal Mischief; 2004- Felony Criminal Mischief. Tara Tapia is currently receiving Federal/public assistance.

    Maria Lopez Ontiveros, aka Mariana Alvear, DOB 01/04/1981, 2322 View Way, Lakeland: Alvear is being detained for deportation.

    Dioscelina Galaraza-Ozorio, DOB 10/30/1980, 2322 View Way, Lakeland: Galaraza-Ozorio was charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams; Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 200 grams; Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime. Criminal Arrest History: Assault; Battery on LEO; Resisting without Violence and Deprive Officer of Weapon – 2004: Cocaine possession w/intent to sell; Purchase Narcotics – 2007.

    Alfredo Ortiz-Hernandez, DOB 03/21/1988, 750 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, California: Ortiz-Hernandez was charged with Conspiracy to Traffic in Meth over 200 grams; Trafficking in Meth over 200 grams. Criminal Arrest History: DUI – 2013. (Ortiz-Hernandez was the currier hauling the 44 pounds of meth – he was arrested at Love’s Truck Stop on Tuesday, March 18, 2014.)

    Maria Widdows, DOB 02/02/1985, 3604 Glenoak Drive South, Lakeland: M. Widdows was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

    Joseph Workman, DOB 03/17/1962, 18 West Bass Street Orlando, Workman was arrested in Osceola County and charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 14 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 14 grams, Unlawful use of Two-Way Communication Device. (Workman has an extensive criminal arrest history to include 9 felony arrests, 19 misdemeanor arrests, 22 unknown level charge arrests, 1 failure to appear, and has been in state prison twice; charges range from Loitering, to Exploitation of Elderly, Shoplifting, Trespassing, and numerous drug related arrests.)

    Joseph Angelo Rinaldi, DOB 05/21/1979, 10811 Sienna Drive Clermont. Rinaldi was arrested in Osceola and charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Unlawful use of Two-Way Communication. Rinaldi is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Criminal Arrest History: August 16, 1995, arrest for Retail Theft, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office; November 20, 1995, arrest for Aggravated Battery and Retail Theft, by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office; July 27, 1997, arrest for Failure to Appear, and Operation of a Motor Vehicle without a License, by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office; May 28, 2003, arrest for Battery, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office; July 17, 2006, arrest for Trafficking Methamphetamine over 14 Grams, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While License Suspended, by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office; May 29, 209, Criminal Registration, by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office; October 3, 2013, Trafficking Methamphetamine Over 14 Grams, Child Neglect, Possession of a Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

    Eugenia Lopez,
    DOB 07/04/1984, 402 Wildlife Trail Lakeland; Lopez was charged with Possession of a Place or Structure being Used for the Sale of a Controlled Substance.

    Wanted Suspects:

    Javier Flores, unknown DOB, between 35-40 years of age, California; Flores is wanted for Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency $100,000 or More, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime.

    Hugo Lopez Esquivel, DOB 03/21/1981, 54 Pinetree Road Lawrencevill, GA. Lopez is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency, $50,000 or More, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime.

    Eliezer Rodriguez Merced, 03/21/1981, 54 Pinetree Road Lawrencevill, GA, Merced is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 200 grams, Unlawful Transportation of Currency, $50,000 or More, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime.

    Joshua Widdows is currently receiving Federal/public assistance. Widdows is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 14 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime.

    Tyler Scott is wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine, Sale of Methamphetamine, and Own or Rent Structure for Knowingly Selling Drugs.

    Demasco Candid Lugo, DOB 08/30/1983, 908 Ruth Avenue, Lakeland; Lugo is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams.

    Melinda Baker-Ruiz, DOB 09/03/1979, 908 Ruth Avenue Lakeland; Baker-Ruiz is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams.

    Danielle Campbell DOB 10/29/1987, 9555 Kingsbury Court, Windermere; Campbell is currently receiving Federal/public assistance and is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime.

    Hector Sanyustiz, DOB 08/16/1974, ,1254 Westside Drive, Winter Garden, Sanyustiz is currently receiving Federal/public assistance and is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, Trafficking in Methamphetamine over 28 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime.

    Laura Caton, DOB 05/17/1978, 2718 Sample Street, Kissimmee, Caton is currently receiving Federal/public assistance, and is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 14 grams, and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device to Facilitate the Commission of a Crime.

    Jose Godoy, DOB 10/18/1991, 1108 Powerline Road, Davenport; Godoy is currently receiving Federal/public assistance, and is wanted for Conspiracy to Traffic in Methamphetamine over 14 grams.

    Bryan Cumberbatch, DOB 06/25/1982, 1541 Goodyear Avenue, Lakeland, Cumberbatch is wanted for Possession of Methamphetamine; Sell Methamphetamine; Own or Rent Structure/Vehicle Known to Sell Drugs, a second degree felony; and Possession/Use Narcotic Paraphernalia.






    http://www.polksheriff.org/NewsRoom/...onnetwork.aspx

  6. #6
    Super Moderator imblest's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    8,320
    First article added to Homepage--

    http://www.alipac.us/content/armed-m...medicaid-2761/
    Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •