Posts Tagged marijuana smuggling

Truck Driver Pleads Guilty to Hauling Tons of Smuggled Marijuana

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Drug Facts on January 22nd, 2011

Marijuana that is being smuggled into the United States, from Mexico or other Latin American sources, accounts for most of the marijuana available in the country. With authorities now working closely to stop illegal entry of drugs in the country, groups smuggling marijuana have also opened different channels to bring marijuana to their clients, including building a tunnel.

narcotics tunnel29-year-old Carlos Cunningham Jr. could be facing several years in federal prison for hauling nearly 20,000 pounds of marijuana and knowing that the drugs were being smuggled into the United States from Mexico through a narcotics tunnel.

Cunningham admitted in a San Diego court to driving multiple truckloads of marijuana from a warehouse in San Diego, near the tunnel’s exit, to the Central District of California. He also admitted being aware of the narcotics tunnel, discovered by federal agents last November 2. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 19,400 pounds of marijuana.

Authorities followed Cunningham from the San Diego warehouse to the Temecula Checkpoint along Interstate 15. At this point, he was arrested with about 19,400 pounds of marijuana. Upon searching the warehouse, an additional 28,782 pounds of marijuana were seized. On the other side of the tunnel, Mexican officials reported seizing nearly 10,000 pounds of marijuana at the tunnel’s entrance located inside a Tijuana residence.

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Seven Men Charged with Smuggling 11 Tons of Pot from Mexico

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Tobacco Abuse on December 17th, 2010

Seven men have been charged for their alleged involving in the smuggling of 11 tons of pot from Mexico, which were delivered to a warehouse in Chicago Heights in Illinois.

marijuanaAccording to a report on The Wall Street Journal, federal authorities were able to seize 21,800 pounds of marijuana from the warehouse, after these were delivered by six rail cars from Mexico. The street value of the pot was estimated at $22 million, and has been described as the largest seizure of marijuana in the Chicago area. Before this bust, the largest seizure happened in the early 2000s, with the interception of 8,000 pounds of marijuana.

The sting operation that led to the seizure of marijuana in the Chicago area began on November 17, in the rail yards of Eagle Pass, Texas. This was revealed in the 74-page complaint that was filed on Thursday in federal court in Chicago. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents were able to uncover pot that was loaded on rail carsin bundles that were marked with the words “TITANIUM PIGMENTS OR,” through the help of drug-sniffing canines.

The U.S. Justice Department described each bundle as “encrusted in a thick layer of fine red masonry pigment dust.”

Documents that accompanied the shipment indicated that its origin was a company in Jalisco, Mexico. Its destination, still according to the accompanying documentation, was a company called Earth Minerals Corporation, in Illinois. There are, however, no public records of a company in Illinois that carried that name.

The seven men who were charged are as follows: Carlos Osvaldo Quintero, 31 years old; his father, Martin Quintero, 63; Felipe de Jesus Magana-Campos, 47; Eduardo Angel Zalayaran-Ruiz, 54; Javier Vera, 24; Miguel Cordova, 20; and Christian Gonzalez, 24.

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500 Pounds of Marijuana Busted in Minneapolis

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction on July 14th, 2010

After a period of surveillance and studying gang activities, the Minneapolis Police Gang Enforcement Team have proven that they have what it takes to put a stop on illegal drugs activities, at least in their area.

The team successfully busted a total of more than 500 pounds of marijuana, 1.5 kilos of cocaine and some guns. Four people are now facing charges for what has been uncovered by the sting.

marijuanaIt has been a fact that in recent days, the streets of Minneapolis have been a site for violence where gangs and drugs play great roles. With what the police has been able to do, it sends out a clear signal that they are dead set on catching the criminals.

Capt. Don Banham, a member of the Enforcement Team has said that they were able to establish three things on this operation. First, they were able to take out the drugs in the street. It’s no joke to have that much drugs in the area and the money involved will really be significant. Second, by catching the criminals, they have somehow disrupted their behaviors and prevent their planned drug-related activities. Third, with the arrests made and people put behind bars, Minneapolis streets may become a little peaceful, although not completely free from crooks. This can somehow decrease violent scenarios in the streets which have been happening for the past couple of months.

Aside from the drugs and guns that were seized, a whopping $100,000 was also confiscated. Minneapolis Police authorities are hoping for more successful drug busts in the coming days. They are seeking the help of civilians to eradicate violence and drug operations on the streets. If people will become active in the fight against illegal drugs, police work can be made a lot easier.

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