A 33-year-old Arkansas woman was arrested after she gave birth to a newborn boy who tested positive for drugs, authorities said.

Lindsey D. Gilbreath of Ash Flat is facing a charge of introducing a controlled substance into the body of another person, the Izard County sheriff’s office said in a statement Monday.

Sheriff Tate Lawrence said in a statement that Gilbreath gave birth to a baby who “tested positive for methamphetamine and other controlled substances.”

The baby “began suffering withdrawal symptoms shortly after birth,” Lawrence wrote.

Gilbreath was booked into the Izard County jail Friday and was released over the weekend on $10,000 bond, authorities said.

Izard County sheriff’s office Lt. Charlie Melton said the boy, who was born Dec. 31, was “doing better” after undergoing treatment for withdrawal.

“I think the child is going to be fine,” he added.

Gilbreath is due in court Jan. 17.

arkansasonline.com/news/2017/jan/09/arkansas-mother-charged-after-newborn-tests-positi/?f=crime

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from an El Debate article

Subject matter: Sinaloa cartel leadership succession
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required

Family members of Guzman Loera are disputing the “king of the plaza”

With the recapture of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the Sinaloa cartel has fragmented and the violence in this state has been augmented. The dispute is between the family members of Guzman Loera, who seek total control of an organization with major extension on a world level.

It has been a few years since the cartel maintained a structure well cemented that hid internal conflicts, but before the absence of one of the founders, the two principal groups started a fight for power. The factions were headed by Aureliano Guzman Loera, El Guano, who claimed the leadership and Ivan and Alfredo Guzman Salazar.

For inheritance, the sons of El Chapo were profiled as the leaders, but El Guano, his uncle and brother the capo, is who actually had the most power in the interior of the cartel, as agreed by consultant sources in the cabinet of security.

Auereliano, forever under the shadow of El Chapo, with his recapture sought the power, he distanced himself from his nephews and from Ismael El Mayo Zambada, the other found of the criminal organization. El Guano is identified by authorities as the most violent and has control of La Tuna, La Palma and El Nogalito.

To share in the ambush of military convoy in Culiacan, on 30th of September of 2016, with a list of five dead military, the authorities confirmed the information that they were told: El Guano displaced the sons of El Chapo Guzman.

Disputing the power, in December of 2015, Aureliano Guzman fought his capture  on the part of the armed forces, later having been identified on a family ranch. However, today he is one of the principal objectives of the Federal authorities.

Before the 9th of December of last year, when he was captured, another who sought the leadership was Alfredo Beltran Guzman, El Mochomito, heir to the Beltran Leyva Cartel and nephew of El Chapo. After the capture of Arturo Beltran Leyva, El Barbas or El Botas Blancas, the cartel that carried his name had two great breakups, however, his brother Hector Beltran Leyva continued to front the organization.

After his capture in October of 2014, he who took the leadership was Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, El Chapito Isidro, who gave birth to the cell of Los Mazatlecos, with presence in Sinaloa and Baja California Sur, according to data from the PGR.

El Chapito Isidro, together with El Mochomito, intended to displace the sons of El Chapo Guzman, but it was not possible. On the 15th of August of 2016, Ivan Archivaldo and Alfredo Guzman Salazar were kidnapped in the La Leche restaurant, located in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, while celebrating a birthday. According to the investigation, El Mochomito was one of those responsible.

Days after they were liberated, and for them, according to reports, was the intervention of Ismael El Mayo Zambada, friend of El Chapo Guzman and colleague since the cartel formed.

“World Business”, the title is very grand, well the Sinaloa cartel has extended to America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. the countries in which the cartel figures are Australia, United States, Canada, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Costa Rica.

In Mexico principally in Sinaloa and Durango, but they also dispute plazas of Coahuila, Chihuahua, Baja California, Sonora, Jalisco, Nayarit and Colima.

El Chapo Guzman was positioned in the list of world millionaires in 2009, located in place 701. Four years after being in the list, his place was 1153, his fortune at the head of the Sinaloa cartel was estimated at a billion dollars.

They Search

The sons of El Chapo Guzman and his godson are found among the 17 primary objectives that will complete the list of 122 from the Federal Government. They view Ivan Archivaldo and Alfredo Guzman Salazar, sons and heirs to the empire constructed by El Chapo, as well as Damaso Lopez Serrano, El Mini Lic, who has been identified as the godson of the capo, confirm ministerial sources to El Universal.

Other names that are included in the objectives for capture are, Ismael El Mayo Zambada, leader of the Sinaloa cartel, and Damaso Lopez Nunez, El Licenciado, father of El Mini Lic and who helped Guzman Loera to escape the Puente Grande prison, Jalisco in January of 2001.

In the list also on finds, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, El Mencho, leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, the second most powerful cartel after Sinaloa. The strategy to neutralize the 122 persons is to focus on the principal activities inside the criminal organizations, their leaders and financial operators, as well as the violence they create. In the list as well as the Sinaloa cartel and CJNG are Los Zetas, Caballeros Templarios and the Beltran Leyva cartel.

The last objective detained was number 105, one Vincente Rufino Carrillo, the past month of November in Acapulco, Guerrero, from the Sinaloa cartel. Among those neutralized that form part of the list  are El Chapo Guzman and Servando Gomez Martinez, La Tuta, leader of the Caballeros Templarios, both are considered strong blows to the criminal structure.

Identified as the most blood thirsty, Miguel Angel Trevino Morales, El Z-40 was detained in October of 2014 by elements of the marines.

From the Juarez cartel, Vincente Carrillo Fuentes, El Viceroy was detained in October of 2014 in Torreon, Coahuila, the same year they informed of the death of Nazario Moreno, El Chayo or El Mas Loco, of the Caballeros Templarios during a confrontation with Federal Forces.

In October of 2010, in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, elements of Sedena detained Hector Beltran Leyva, who had assumed control of the cartel that carries his name after the death of his brother Arturo, Boss of Bosses, in December of 2009.

Hector, known in the narco trafficking world as El H, was the last of the brothers at large from justice. He assumed the leadership of the Beltran Leyva cartel and was dedicated to the transit of cocaine from central and South America to the United States and Europe.

However, according to the investigations, he made alliances with other criminal organizations to expand his activities in the sale of synthetic drugs, as well as the transit of substances, he managed to create a network of corruption and money laundering.

The authorities identified that the dispute for the Sinaloa cartel has generated a wave of violence in all parts of Mexico.

In the same manner, fragmentation’s inside the Sinaloa cartel on the 15th of August, when Ivan and Alfredo Guzman were kidnapped at the La Leche restaurant located in Puerte Vallarta, Jalisco. Lines of investigation maintained by the PGR, is that the CJNG headed by El Mencho, was the criminal group that kidnapped the sons of the narco trafficker.

However, other lines of investigation infer that the plan was formed inside the Sinaloa cartel and that the successor would have been Damaso Lopez Serrano, El Mini Lic.

They go after them

Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, the oldest son of the capo El Chapo Guzman, was kidnapped on the 15th of August together with his brother Jesus Alfredo in the La Leche restaurant in Puerte Vallarta, Jalisco, according to a video given to Milenio TV by intelligence sources.

The images, captured on security cameras from the restaurant, show the arrival of a group of three or four, adding in total to 15 people, 10 women and five men, including the two sons of the leader of the Sinaloa cartel.

During the morning of the 15th of August and armed commando of the CJNG, according to authorities, broke into the restaurant, and kidnapped the men and left the women.

The new images show the moment that Ivan, identified by intelligence sources from the video sent to Milenio TV, is kicked by one of the armed subjects before being identified by the alleged leader of the commando and taken from the place with the other four men.

After the kidnapping the mirror of possibilities that Ivan Archivaldo was among the taken, as well as his brother Jesus Alfredo, but the authorities of Jalisco negated to agree to this theory.

The Attorney General of Jalisco informed then that the group were celebrating a birthday, on a date that coincided with the anniversary of Ivan Archivaldo, and that there had been 16 diners but one had managed to escape. According to his version, there were nine women and six men, one of them Jesus Alfredo, those last kidnapped were freed a few days after.

On the 21st of August a friend of the subjects kidnapped informed the Jefe of the liberation of the group, but until now the authorities have neither confirmed nor denied this.

“We don’t have information that can determine the liberation of the kidnapped”, said the then head of the PGR and that for the institution they remain privated of liberty.

Russell K Bear, one of the spokesmen for the DEA, said that it has been a while that the Sinaloa cartel has fought against the CJNG for control of heroin supply to the United States, a territory dominated before by Colombian cartels.

The CJNG is pushing and on some occasions has come to grips with the Sinaloa cartel in the USA, although the criminal group of El Chapo continues to be the cartel with most drugs circulated in the US he said.

El Chapo might be in custody and he has been stripped of his leadership, but his sons are very involved in the criminal activity of the cartel, he assured and referred to Ivan Archivaldo, known as El Chapito, and Jesus Alfredo, alias El Alfredillo.

Original article in Spanish at El Debate

www.borderlandbeat.com/2017/01/who-will-inherit-throne-of-el-chapo.html

Austin — One person is in custody after a drug bust in Austin … and it could be one for the record books.

It was 1:15 Monday afternoon.

Police executed a search warrant at a home in the 600 block of 10th Street Northeast, looking for drugs.

www.kaaltv.com/news/austin-police-meth-seizure/4366562/

BARNSTABLE – Two homeless people were arrested after a methamphetamine lab was found Monday morning in the woods off Perseverance Way.

Eric Trezise, 32, and Amanda White, 32, were arrested on charges manufacturing methamphetamine and conspiracy to violate controlled substances law, according to Barnstable police Deputy Chief Sean Balcom.

The Barnstable Fire Department received a call at 5:30 a.m. to the location in Independence Park, and White appeared with burns on her face and eyes, Balcom said.

The burns compelled police to search the area and a homemade shed was found in the woods, he said, adding that evidence was found that Trezise and White were making meth.

Fire officials took one person to the hospital, and state hazardous materials team members were called to the scene, Barnstable fire Capt. Christopher Beal said.

This is the second instance in the past month of methamphetamine operations being found in homeless camps in the Mid-Cape. Last month, a Yarmouth police raid targeting a homeless camp on a Cape Cod Hospital property led to the discovery of methamphetamine lab, and one arrest.

In 2014, Barnstable police raided a methamphetamine lab in East Falmouth, which Balcom described at the time as the first ever such lab discovered on the Cape. But police have been hearing about the use and manufacturing of methamphetamine since that time, he said Monday.

capecodtimes.com/news/20170109/burn-injuries-lead-to-meth-lab-in-barnstable-woods

A Lake Geneva man allegedly cooked methamphetamine in a hotel room and the cook ignited in the room leaving one person severely burned.

Lake Geneva Police Chief Michael S. Rasmussen reports the incident happened on Monday around 3:14 AM.

Officers responded to The Cove for an activated fire alarm.

While en route, officers received a second call for service of a female yelling for help north of that location at Mill Creek Hotel.

As officers arrived at each location, it was determined the female at the Mill Creek Hotel sustained burns inside of a room at The Cove and walked to the Mill Creek Hotel for help.

The female was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee and is in serious condition.

Further investigation revealed that a methamphetamine cook ignited within the room at The Cove.

Guests were evacuated from the area and the scene was secured.

A second occupant of the room, Patrick M. McBean, 50 y/o of Lake Geneva, was arrested and booked into the Walworth County Jail. Charges for possession of methamphetamine waste product, possession of drug paraphernalia related to methamphetamine manufacturing and bail jumping have been referred to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office.

Two City of Lake Geneva Police Department officers, two Walworth County deputies, one Lake Geneva firefighter and a security officer for The Cove were treated for smoke inhalation at Lakeland Medical Center and released.

cbs58.com/story/34226094/woman-severely-burned-after-methamphetamine-catches-fire-at-hotel-in-lake-Geneva

LAKE GENEVA—Lake Geneva police identified the woman injured Monday after a methamphetamine cook ignited and burned her in a hotel room.

The woman is Melissa Kuen, 35, of Williams Bay, Lt. Ed Gritzner said. He did not have an update on her condition Tuesday, and a representative from St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee, where she was taken Monday, said she could not release any information on Kuen.

Gritzner said Kuen has not been arrested. Once she recovers more from her injuries, she will be invited to make a statement to police, he said.

Police responded to The Cove of Lake Geneva hotel at 3:14 a.m. Monday for a fire alarm, according to a news release. While emergency responders were on the way, they received a second call about a woman, later identified as Kuen, yelling for help at a nearby hotel.

An investigation revealed a meth cook operation had caught fire in a room at The Cove, according to the release. Kuen sustained burns and was “seriously injured” in the incident, according to the release.

Two Lake Geneva police officers, two Walworth County sheriff’s deputies, one Lake Geneva firefighter and a security officer at The Cove were treated for smoke inhalation at Lakeland Medical Center, Elkhorn, and released, according to the release.

Police arrested a second occupant of the room, Patrick M. McBean, 50, of Lake Geneva, and took him to the Walworth County Jail, according to the release. Police recommended charges of possession of meth waste product, possession of drug paraphernalia related to meth manufacturing and bail jumping to the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office.

Walworth County Judge David Reddy on Tuesday ordered a $10,000 cash bond for McBean. Conditions of the bond include no contact with four people, including Kuen, and to not possess materials for making meth, such as pseudoephedrine and lye.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Leusink, who recommended the $10,000 cash bond, said the incident shows the “very real harm meth can have.” He said McBean has a third-offense operating while intoxicated case pending.

McBean is next due in court at 1:15 p.m. Friday.

gazettextra.com/20170110/update_police_identify_injured_woman_from_lake_geneva_meth_cook_mishap

VOLNEY, N.Y. — Two parents in Oswego County have been charged after authorities said they were making methamphetamine at home in front of their child, according to the Oswego County Drug Task Force.

Investigators with the task force and other members of law enforcement responded to 1822 County Route 6 Lot A-18 in Volney Monday morning after receiving a warrant to search the home.

Equipment and materials used to make and use meth were found and seized from inside the residence, officials said.

Two adults lived there with their child, authorities said. Investigators said the child was under the age of 16.

Lyndon C. Bentley, 48, and Jennifer R. Rogers, 39, were both arrested and charged with second-degree unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine and third-degree unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine, both felonies, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Investigators said the child was present when the two parents were making meth.

The two were arraigned in Volney Town Court and are being held in the Oswego County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash or $20,000 secure bail bond. They are scheduled to return to Volney Town Court on Feb. 27.

www.syracuse.com/crime/index.ssf/2017/01/2_oswego_county_parents_face_charges_after_making_meth_at_home_police_say.html

ASSUMPTION PARISH, LA (WAFB) – Three residents of Pierre Part were arrested on Friday, November 4 on charges of allegedly creating and operating a mobile clandestine lab on a boat for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine.

The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office reports that Dwayne Paul Hebert, 39, Latisha Landry, 33, and Kelly Blanchard, 31, were arrested Friday while operating a boat near Lake Verret. Officers determined the three suspects were in possession of a meth lab in the vessel they were occupying.

These arrests are part of a large, ongoing narcotics investigation targeting drug dealers in Assumption Parish. The suspects’ charges are as follows:

Dwayne Paul Hebert:

• Creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory for the unlawful manufacture of controlled dangerous substances
• Criminal trespass
• Simple burglary

Latisha Landry

• Creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory for the unlawful manufacture of controlled dangerous substances
• Criminal trespass
• Simple burglary
• Bench warrant for failure to appear on theft by fraud charges

Kelly Blanchard

• Creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory for the unlawful manufacture of controlled dangerous substances

At the time of her arrest, Blanchard was out on bond for a previous methamphetamine arrest which occurred two weeks ago.

wafb.com/story/33650964/meth-lab-boat-busted-three-pierre-part-residents-arrested

PIERRE PART, LA (WAFB) – An Assumption Parish man was arrested Friday after accidentally texting a deputy about a crystal meth delivery in Pierre Part.

According to Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon, Dwayne Paul Hebert, 39, was arrested Friday, January 6 on drug and weapons charges. That evening, as Assumption deputy received a text message misdirected from Hebert in which he was arranging to deliver crystal meth at a pre-determined location in Pierre Part. The officer agreed to meet Hebert at the location and then mobilized the Narcotics Division to assist.

When Hebert showed up, he was arrested. Deputies found him to be in possession of meth and two firearms. Hebert was taken to the parish detention center and booked on the following charges:

Possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance

Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute

Resisting an officer (two counts)

Hebert is currently awaiting a bond hearing. He was also arrested in November of 2016 accused of operating a meth lab out of a boat. He was out of prison on a $90,000 bond for those charges.

tucsonnewsnow.com/story/34218696/assumption-parish-man-accidentally-texts-deputy-about-meth-delivery

Methamphetamine lab boat busted; Latisha Landry, 33, Kelly Blanchard, 31, and Dwayne Paul Hebert, 39, of Pierre Part, arrested

A Four Oaks woman was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine which was found after she allegedly attempted to shoplift items from a local store.

Melissa Thornton Tart, 36, of Four Oaks faces charges of possession of methamphetamine after an incident at Belk in Dunn Thursday. Officials at the store reported a suspect attempted to shoplift items from the store just before 5 p.m. Store officials reported two suspects attempting to steal clothing items identified as the Salt Life brand. A small bag of methamphetamine was found in Ms. Tart’s purse after she gave officers permission to search it for earrings that were allegedly stolen. Several stolen items were found in his purse in addition to the methamphetamine, police report.

Officers reviewed security tapes at the store and saw Ms. Tart and Lacie Ray Mease, 21, of Coats concealing several objects and attempting to remove them from the store, according to reports.

Ms. Tart was given a $15,000 bond for the possession of methamphetamine charges and a $1,000 bond on the charges of shoplifting.

Ms. Mease was given $1,000 bond on the shoplifting charges.

mydailyrecord.com/eedition/featured/2017/01/10/dpd-meth-found-on-belk-shoplifter/

An East Grand Forks woman faces multiple charges after officers say she was driving high on methamphetamine with a child Monday.

grandforksherald.com/news/4196408-east-grand-forks-woman-accused-driving-3-year-old-while-meth

What started as a Craigslist post ended in an Indiana man’s coming to Frankfort allegedly to have sex with a minor.

According to records from Attorney General Andy Beshear and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Zach Becker, 36-year-old Larry Lyons of New Middletown, Indiana, drove 1.5 hours to Frankfort on Friday thinking he was meeting a 15-year-old in east Frankfort but was instead met by members of the attorney general’s Cyber Crimes Unit, Frankfort Police Department and the Kentucky State Police.

In December, Lyons allegedly answered a fairly benign Craigslist post, but the conversation soon turned sexual, Becker said.

“Wanted to have some casual fun, he said. He quickly asked how old the persona was. The persona responded ‘15’ and he then confirmed he knew understood they were underage,” Becker said. Lyons “kept requesting photos and then wished to arrange for a meeting to take place.”

The emails switched to text messages in which Lyons, according to Becker, let the female persona know types of sex acts he wanted to perform with them.

“He did continue to confirm he would have condoms so the 15-year-old didn’t pregnant,” Becker said sarcastically.  “At least, he was prepared to have safe sex as he chose to engage in illegal sex.”

After Lyons reached the east Frankfort location, the Cyber Crimes Unit persona told him to meet at another location. While he was in transit, authorities initiated a traffic stop, during which they recovered Lyons’ cell phone with the text messages.

Investigators found a handgun in Lyons’ car.

A grand jury indicted Lyons Tuesday on a charge of unlawful use of electronic means originating or received within the Commonwealth of Kentucky induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities, a Class D felony.

Lyons posted a $10,000 bond at the Franklin County Regional Jail on the day of his arrest.

state-journal.com/2017/01/10/man-sought-sex-with-teen-police-say/

hjnews.com/allaccess/logan-man-charged-with-soliciting-sex-from-teen/article_3ee67070-ae53-5868-8cc8-4cee6d085d9d.html

Drug addiction costs society dearly, from crime committed by addicts seeking to support their habits to child neglect and abandonment to lost productivity. But one aspect of chronic methamphetamine use is making an impact on violent crime statistics, and posing a dilemma for the criminal justice system.

In a story in Sunday’s Mail Tribune, reporter Vickie Aldous described the frightening consequences of meth psychosis. Long-term meth use can cause the same chemical imbalance found in schizophrenia, with an alarming difference. Schizophrenics suffer auditory hallucinations – voices in their heads that may prompt them to do things they otherwise wouldn’t. Meth psychosis can involve all five senses. Users in the throes of these hallucinations not only hear voices that may command them to commit violence, they may see things that are not there, smell odors, taste what they are convinced is poison in their food or feel what they think are bugs crawling under their skin.

The challenge for the court system is whether this psychosis – which is undeniably a form of mental illness – should be treated as grounds for a plea of guilty but for insanity. Defendants who successfully make this argument are committed to a state mental hospital for an indeterminate period of time rather than sentenced to prison.

Once they no longer exhibit symptoms of psychosis – which may happen fairly quickly when they stop using meth – they can be released back into the community.

The problem with an insanity defense in these cases is that the defendants do not suffer mental illness through no fault of their own. They bring it on themselves by choosing to ingest methamphetamine.

It’s hard to make the case that drug users should not be held responsible for acts they commit under the influence of a drug they voluntarily took. Drunken drivers may have no memory of their actions while intoxicated, but they chose to drink, and they don’t get a pass.

But whether meth users who commit violent crimes are sent to prison or to the state hospital, treatment programs must focus on preventing them from resuming that drug use when they are released.

That – and continuing efforts to prevent new users from taking meth in the first place – is essential to reclaiming our community from the scourge of this powerful and deadly substance.

mailtribune.com/opinion/20170111/our-view-dilemma-of-meth-psychosis

More than 8,000 methamphetamine pills along with drug paraphernalia were seized at 7 a.m.  Wednesday from a Sturgeon Falls residence.

West Nipissing Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police executed the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act search at a Nipissing Street residence.
One man was arrested at the residence, taken into custody and held for bail. A second man is wanted by police in connection with this investigation. The two Sturgeon Falls men are facing charges of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance and fail to comply with conditions of a recognizance. Neither was identified by police.
The seized drugs are valued at about $40,000.

nugget.ca/2017/01/11/8000-methamphetamine-pills-seized

Special Agent in Charge Justin Tolomeo of the FBI Milwaukee Division and Wisconsin Attorney General Brad D. Schimel announced the results of the collaborative law enforcement efforts of the 2016 Wisconsin methamphetamine (meth) study.

The 2016 Wisconsin Methamphetamine Study is the product of a one-and-a-half year-long look into the use of meth in Wisconsin. The project began with 10 statewide roundtables in July 2015.

From 2011 to 2015, methamphetamine use in Wisconsin likely expanded between 250 and 300 percent, based on analysis of meth-related arrests, cases, charges, and seizure statistics provided by local law enforcement, state government agencies, and open source reporting. While heroin use continues to remain a focus for Wisconsin’s law enforcement and treatment services, meth has quietly surged to a point where the number of cases, arrests, and charges are on par with heroin. The areas affected by increasing meth use are mostly concentrated in western Wisconsin and rural areas of the state. These areas, unlike more urban areas, are ill-equipped to handle rising methamphetamine use as they do not have the necessary resources to effectively mitigate the threat.

Other highlights of the report revealed:

• Wisconsin meth is produced in Mexico and trafficked to the state via California or Minnesota.
• High availability of methamphetamine across Wisconsin has led to the price being relatively low cost.
• Methamphetamine use is highest in Northwestern Wisconsin but in the past five years has expanded south and east.
• Between 2011 and 2015, meth-related cases submitted to the Wisconsin State Crime Lab increased 349 percent. In comparison, heroin-related cases rose 97 percent in that same period.

“The rise of methamphetamine use in Wisconsin is troubling,” said, SAC Tolomeo. “The FBI is committed to working with Wisconsin DOJ and other local and federal law enforcement agencies throughout the state to rid our communities of this harmful drug.”

“I’m proud of the contributions the Wisconsin Department of Justice made in producing the first published statewide meth study in Wisconsin,” said, Attorney General Schimel. “Collaboration across organizations and disciplines is central to problem solving, and this study, a joint venture between FBI, Homeland Security, and Wisconsin DOJ, will help law enforcement prevent and reduce the use of dangerous methamphetamine.”

There were 96 organizations that contributed data to the study from law enforcement, district attorneys, social services, and private organizations. The report is a collaborative effort of the FBI with contributions from the Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center (WSIC) and the Southeast Wisconsin Threat Analysis Center (STAC).

fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/milwaukee/news/press-releases/fbi-and-wisconsin-doj-partners-release-results-of-2016-statewide-meth-study

CINCINNATI — Federal agents found 53 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside a snail statue at a Greater Cincinnati cargo facility, Customs and Border Protection officials announced Wednesday.

The agents were checking cargo from Mexico on Dec. 30 and noticed a package labeled “Mexican stone crafts.” It came from Mexico City and was destined for a home in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

According to a news release, an X-ray showed something inside the statue, so agents drilled through the base and found a white, crystalline powder. It tested positive for methamphetamine.

“This particular interception and its unique concealment method showcases the consistency with which our officers and specialists are able to support legitimate trade while interrupting illegal drug trafficking attempts,” Customs and Border Protection Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie said.

Meth is classified as a Schedule II stimulant under the Controlled Substances Act. It’s a powerful stimulant that can cause mood disturbances, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and permanent brain damage.

wcpo.com/news/crime/feds-fine-meth-hidden-in-snail-statue-at-greater-cincinnati-cargo-facility

SEOUL, South Korea – Two 2nd Infantry Division soldiers have been indicted in connection with a $10 million methamphetamine smuggling case involving the U.S. military postal service, officials said Wednesday.

The shipment of nearly eight pounds of meth — in three packages with labels saying they contained candy — was discovered in late October by the customs service at the Incheon airport near Seoul.

Authorities then monitored the shipment and detained the soldiers, both 19, for questioning days later when they moved to collect it.

The men were indicted Tuesday on charges of violating the narcotics control act.

The 2nd Infantry Division said it was cooperating fully with local authorities in the matter and “is committed to helping ensure a fair and just outcome for all involved.”

“Currently, one of the soldiers involved is in pre-trial confinement with the Korean authorities, and the second is with his unit,” spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hyde said in an emailed statement.

The soldiers were allegedly acting on behalf of a third party who has not been identified but is believed to be a Korean-American, said an official in the prosecutors’ office in Uijeongbu, which is home to the 2nd ID headquarters at Camp Red Cloud.

The man reportedly promised to pay one $3,000 and the other $1,000 for the delivery, which originated in California. Both soldiers have denied the drug allegations, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in exchange for discussing the details.

They were both indicted, but only one was jailed after a local court declined to issue an arrest warrant for the other, the official said.

The soldier who was taken into custody allegedly told prosecutors he met with the other suspect at a restaurant off post and agreed to arrange for the parcel to be delivered. But he said he didn’t know what was inside.

The packages were delivered to a military post office address belonging to one of the soldiers who planned to hand them over to his friend for delivery to the third suspect, the source said. The drugs have been confiscated.

The U.S. has some 28,500 service members stationed in South Korea.

stripes.com/news/2-us-soldiers-indicted-in-s-korean-meth-smuggling-case-1.448329

A Missouri woman is facing federal charges after she allegedly was caught with 11 pounds of methamphetamine at a Kansas City bus station.

SARASOTA, Fla. — A 25-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after an explosion in his home led deputies to the discovery of a meth lab, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies responded to 3464 Fairview Drive around 2:45 p.m. regarding reports about an explosion.

When they arrived, fire department personnel informed deputies that Andrew Ilardi caused the explosion by using various chemicals to produce meth, deputies said.

Detectives later executed a search warrant on the home where they recovered different chemicals and over-the-counter medications consistent with production of the drug.

Ilardi was arrested and charged with production of methamphetamine. He is currently in custody at the Sarasota County jail on $7,500 bond.

winknews.com/2017/01/11/sarasota-man-arrested-after-explosion-revealed-home-meth-lab/

The second of two women arrested in May on drug charges now also faces charges of endangering two children.

Alyssa Nacole Mata, 19, is charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child. Her mother, 43-year-old Martha Denise Mata, was arrested and charged last week. They had their total bail set at $20,000 each and neither was in Wichita County Jail Wednesday afternoon.

The pair were previously arrested on May 18 when officers with the Organized Crime Unit executed a narcotic search warrant in the 1800 block of Rose Street. During the search, they located and seized about 72 grams of methamphetamine.

According to the arrest warrant affidavits, four children between the ages of 1 and 4 were found in the house when the search warrant was executed, so a detective responded for a drug endangered children investigation.

The detective determined the methamphetamine was kept in a drawer and in a closet that was accessible by the children. A urine sample was collected from each child and sent for toxicology analysis. Two of the children, ages 1 and 2, tested positive for methamphetamine, the affidavits state.

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