TEMECULA - A federal drug charge was filed today against a trucker who allegedly had 14-plus tons of marijuana with a street value of about $25 million in his rig when he was pulled over for a traffic violation on Interstate 15.
Angel Guillen-Raya, who was taken into custody on Wednesday, was due in a federal courtroom in Riverside this afternoon on one count of drug possession with intent to distribute.
The suspect allegedly told authorities he had transported a truckful of marijuana to Ontario earlier in the week, and the confiscated shipment was also bound for that San Bernardino County city.
A sheriff's patrol deputy pulled the driver over about 9 a.m. Wednesday on northbound I-15, just past the Rainbow Canyon Road exit south of Temecula.
According to U.S. Forest Service Special Agent Patrick Brown, who works with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the driver had been following another big rig too closely.
"As Deputy (Glen) Warrington was driving up alongside the subject vehicle, the subject vehicle changed lanes and almost collided with Deputy Warrington's vehicle," Brown wrote in an affidavit.
The deputy stopped the driver for making an illegal lane change and asked him for paperwork, which he could not provide, Brown said.
As the deputy spoke with Guillen-Raya, another deputy with a dog pulled up and the canine alerted them to the presence of drugs, according to the agent.
A search of the truck revealed numerous boxes filled with plastic-wrapped bricks of a green leafy substance that turned out to be marijuana, Brown said.
The boxes were lined up on pallets and, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez, the contraband was "stacked from front to back -- solid."
Gutierrez said it was the largest confiscation of marijuana in the history of the Riverside County Sheriff Department.
He said the cannabis is estimated to have a wholesale value of more than $10 million and a street value of about $25 million.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Police discover home filled with 150 marijuana plants
Vallejo police officers responding Tuesday to a reported home invasion stumbled instead upon an alleged drug house filled with about 150 marijuana plants.
No one was found in the home in the 400 block of Diana Drive after officers entered the residence for a welfare check around 11:30 a.m., Police Lt. Abel Tenorio said.
Nor were there were signs of forced entry around a window in the back of the house, Tenorio said.
A passerby called 911 just before 10 a.m. and said three black males with weapons were trying to force their way into the home from the backyard, Tenorio said.
Officers responded within three minutes and staked the residence out, with the department's black "Peacekeeper" tank providing cover.
But after numerous unanswered phone calls to the residence, police forcibly entered it. Neighbors said a Hispanic family lived there, Tenorio said.
Officers thought there might be hostages in the home, he said.
There was little furniture inside but plenty of marijuana plants, indicating the location may be just a drug house, Tenorio said.
Narcotics officers responded and were obtaining a search warrant, Tenorio said, though he did not know if they had gotten the warrant by mid-afternoon.
Lt. Jim O'Connell said people should keep an eye out for boarded up homes where people are coming in and out at odd hours -- possible signs that the residence is a drug house.
No one was arrested and police so far do not have any suspects.
No one was found in the home in the 400 block of Diana Drive after officers entered the residence for a welfare check around 11:30 a.m., Police Lt. Abel Tenorio said.
Nor were there were signs of forced entry around a window in the back of the house, Tenorio said.
A passerby called 911 just before 10 a.m. and said three black males with weapons were trying to force their way into the home from the backyard, Tenorio said.
Officers responded within three minutes and staked the residence out, with the department's black "Peacekeeper" tank providing cover.
But after numerous unanswered phone calls to the residence, police forcibly entered it. Neighbors said a Hispanic family lived there, Tenorio said.
Officers thought there might be hostages in the home, he said.
There was little furniture inside but plenty of marijuana plants, indicating the location may be just a drug house, Tenorio said.
Narcotics officers responded and were obtaining a search warrant, Tenorio said, though he did not know if they had gotten the warrant by mid-afternoon.
Lt. Jim O'Connell said people should keep an eye out for boarded up homes where people are coming in and out at odd hours -- possible signs that the residence is a drug house.
No one was arrested and police so far do not have any suspects.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Troopers find 138 pounds of marijuana
HAMILTON COUNTY — Two separate traffic stops over the weekend in Hamilton County led to the seizure of 138 pounds of marijuana and the arrests of four individuals.
Shortly after 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol stopped a Volvo S8, eastbound on Interstate 80 near the Giltner interchange. An NSP canine alerted to the odor of drugs coming from the rear of the vehicle. A probable cause search led to the seizure of 133 pounds of marijuana, which was located in duffel bags in the trunk of the vehicle.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, 33-year-old Jamie Day, of Astoria, N.Y., was lodged in the Hamilton County Jail on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver, a Class 3 felony.
A traffic stop near the same location at 2 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 21, resulted in the seizure of five pounds of marijuana and the arrest of the vehicle’s three occupants. The trooper stopped an eastbound 2007 Mitsubishi Montero for an inoperable taillight. A probable cause search of the vehicle led to seizure of the marijuana.
The marijuana, packaged in 13 individual bags, was located in the rear of the vehicle. A .40 caliber semi automatic handgun was also located in a backpack.
The driver of the vehicle, 22-year-old Nicholas Smith of Mariposa, Calif., and two passengers in the vehicle, 26-year-old Kristopher Vernard, of Gladstone, Mo., and 27-year-old Eric Varvel, of Kansas City, Mo., were lodged in the Hamilton County Jail, each on charges of possession with the intent to deliver and possession of a weapon during a drug transaction. Varvel was also jailed on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
Shortly after 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22, a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol stopped a Volvo S8, eastbound on Interstate 80 near the Giltner interchange. An NSP canine alerted to the odor of drugs coming from the rear of the vehicle. A probable cause search led to the seizure of 133 pounds of marijuana, which was located in duffel bags in the trunk of the vehicle.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, 33-year-old Jamie Day, of Astoria, N.Y., was lodged in the Hamilton County Jail on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver, a Class 3 felony.
A traffic stop near the same location at 2 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 21, resulted in the seizure of five pounds of marijuana and the arrest of the vehicle’s three occupants. The trooper stopped an eastbound 2007 Mitsubishi Montero for an inoperable taillight. A probable cause search of the vehicle led to seizure of the marijuana.
The marijuana, packaged in 13 individual bags, was located in the rear of the vehicle. A .40 caliber semi automatic handgun was also located in a backpack.
The driver of the vehicle, 22-year-old Nicholas Smith of Mariposa, Calif., and two passengers in the vehicle, 26-year-old Kristopher Vernard, of Gladstone, Mo., and 27-year-old Eric Varvel, of Kansas City, Mo., were lodged in the Hamilton County Jail, each on charges of possession with the intent to deliver and possession of a weapon during a drug transaction. Varvel was also jailed on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
Strong odor in car leads to marijuana bricks, arrest
An Indiana man found sleeping in his car was taken into custody Monday after a Yavapai County Sheriff's deputy smelled a strong odor of marijuana and eventually found nearly a dozen bricks of the drug inside the vehicle, authorities said.
William Wilkinson, 54, told authorities he stopped to rest on his way back to Indiana from Phoenix, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. The vehicle was found off the roadway at the Coldwater Road on-ramp to the Interstate 17 on Thursday.
When asked about the odor, Wilkinson apparently said that his brother, whom he had been visiting, "had smoked a joint" in the car earlier that day, according to a sheriff's department press release. When the deputy said the odor was particularly strong, Wilkinson said that his brother had smoked "two joints."
William Wilkinson, 54, told authorities he stopped to rest on his way back to Indiana from Phoenix, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. The vehicle was found off the roadway at the Coldwater Road on-ramp to the Interstate 17 on Thursday.
When asked about the odor, Wilkinson apparently said that his brother, whom he had been visiting, "had smoked a joint" in the car earlier that day, according to a sheriff's department press release. When the deputy said the odor was particularly strong, Wilkinson said that his brother had smoked "two joints."
Fire leads to marijuana grow-op
Barrie police accidentally uncovered a marijuana grow operation after city firefighters were called to the neighbouring home, early Sunday morning.
The fire call came in around 12:30 a. m. for a blaze at 49 Athabaska Rd., near Mapleview Drive West and Essa Road. The blaze severely damaged that home, but also burned the exterior of the residence on the east side.
Firefighters arrived to find the occupants of 49 Athabaska Rd., as well as the family dog, had exited the home safely.
First and foremost, a fire department's duty is to protect life and property, Barrie police Sgt. Robert Allan said.
"Before they leave a scene, they have to check to make sure that any risk is gone," Allan said, which is why they entered 51 Athabaska Rd., too.
Firefighters allegedly found a marijuana grow operation in the basement.
The fire department informed police of their discovery and a search warrant was executed Sunday afternoon. Officers found 80 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $80,000.
"We take it anyway we can get it," Allan said of the chance discovery. "Eighty plants is a good seizure for your run-of-the-mill, average home. It's definitely not personal use, which we do see sometimes."
Allan said people must know the dangers of residential growops.
"There's also a risk to the community," he said. "A lot of these (grow-op) houses are fly-bynighters that are often improperly wired or booby-trapped."
The police investigation continues and charges are pending.
The fire call came in around 12:30 a. m. for a blaze at 49 Athabaska Rd., near Mapleview Drive West and Essa Road. The blaze severely damaged that home, but also burned the exterior of the residence on the east side.
Firefighters arrived to find the occupants of 49 Athabaska Rd., as well as the family dog, had exited the home safely.
First and foremost, a fire department's duty is to protect life and property, Barrie police Sgt. Robert Allan said.
"Before they leave a scene, they have to check to make sure that any risk is gone," Allan said, which is why they entered 51 Athabaska Rd., too.
Firefighters allegedly found a marijuana grow operation in the basement.
The fire department informed police of their discovery and a search warrant was executed Sunday afternoon. Officers found 80 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $80,000.
"We take it anyway we can get it," Allan said of the chance discovery. "Eighty plants is a good seizure for your run-of-the-mill, average home. It's definitely not personal use, which we do see sometimes."
Allan said people must know the dangers of residential growops.
"There's also a risk to the community," he said. "A lot of these (grow-op) houses are fly-bynighters that are often improperly wired or booby-trapped."
The police investigation continues and charges are pending.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
18 Marijuana Grow-Ops Linked To Toronto Store
Police have dismantled 18 marijuana growing operations they claim were connected to one Toronto store.
Authorities arrested three people in connection to the web of grow-ops and seized about 8,000 pot plants worth an estimated $8 million. There were 18 illegal drug growing outfits in total which investigators allege were all connected to a Toronto business that sold equipment needed to cultivate marijuana indoors.
An anonymous tipster told York Regional Police about the grow-ops and the business allegedly connected to all of the illegal outfits - a store called Tropical Distribution at 135 Ormont Rd. The investigation started back in May of 2006.
Police claim the owners of the store were facilitating the people running the grow-ops.
Search warrants were executed at the 18 drug-growing outfits littered across the GTA and last Thursday police also searched Tropical Distribution and a home in Newmarket and arrested three people.
Van Duong LE, 41, of Newmarket, Tu Cam LAM, 29, of Newmarket, and Dai Tho LE, 28, of Mississauga are all facing several charges. They're scheduled to appear in a Newmarket court on May 1.
Authorities arrested three people in connection to the web of grow-ops and seized about 8,000 pot plants worth an estimated $8 million. There were 18 illegal drug growing outfits in total which investigators allege were all connected to a Toronto business that sold equipment needed to cultivate marijuana indoors.
An anonymous tipster told York Regional Police about the grow-ops and the business allegedly connected to all of the illegal outfits - a store called Tropical Distribution at 135 Ormont Rd. The investigation started back in May of 2006.
Police claim the owners of the store were facilitating the people running the grow-ops.
Search warrants were executed at the 18 drug-growing outfits littered across the GTA and last Thursday police also searched Tropical Distribution and a home in Newmarket and arrested three people.
Van Duong LE, 41, of Newmarket, Tu Cam LAM, 29, of Newmarket, and Dai Tho LE, 28, of Mississauga are all facing several charges. They're scheduled to appear in a Newmarket court on May 1.
18 Marijuana Grow-Ops Linked To Toronto Store
Police have dismantled 18 marijuana growing operations they claim were connected to one Toronto store.
Authorities arrested three people in connection to the web of grow-ops and seized about 8,000 pot plants worth an estimated $8 million. There were 18 illegal drug growing outfits in total which investigators allege were all connected to a Toronto business that sold equipment needed to cultivate marijuana indoors.
An anonymous tipster told York Regional Police about the grow-ops and the business allegedly connected to all of the illegal outfits - a store called Tropical Distribution at 135 Ormont Rd. The investigation started back in May of 2006.
Police claim the owners of the store were facilitating the people running the grow-ops.
Search warrants were executed at the 18 drug-growing outfits littered across the GTA and last Thursday police also searched Tropical Distribution and a home in Newmarket and arrested three people.
Van Duong LE, 41, of Newmarket, Tu Cam LAM, 29, of Newmarket, and Dai Tho LE, 28, of Mississauga are all facing several charges. They're scheduled to appear in a Newmarket court on May 1.
Authorities arrested three people in connection to the web of grow-ops and seized about 8,000 pot plants worth an estimated $8 million. There were 18 illegal drug growing outfits in total which investigators allege were all connected to a Toronto business that sold equipment needed to cultivate marijuana indoors.
An anonymous tipster told York Regional Police about the grow-ops and the business allegedly connected to all of the illegal outfits - a store called Tropical Distribution at 135 Ormont Rd. The investigation started back in May of 2006.
Police claim the owners of the store were facilitating the people running the grow-ops.
Search warrants were executed at the 18 drug-growing outfits littered across the GTA and last Thursday police also searched Tropical Distribution and a home in Newmarket and arrested three people.
Van Duong LE, 41, of Newmarket, Tu Cam LAM, 29, of Newmarket, and Dai Tho LE, 28, of Mississauga are all facing several charges. They're scheduled to appear in a Newmarket court on May 1.
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