He said police have seen theflow of drugs into the region increase in the past five years; the same improved highway system that make it so families can reach vacation destinations more quickly also makes it easier for drug sellers to reach customers in the region. Although Tranquilandia is referred to as a drug lab, it's actually much bigger. Duluth police Lt. Jeff Kazel, commander of the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force announces the results of what authorities said was the largest drug bust in the region's history. He was found with suitcases and bags full of drugs and a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun, according to federal prosecutors. Federal charges have been filed against a man accused of selling large quantities of meth out of a hotel room in Grand Chute. The Wausau-area arrests were not connected to another major bust in northeastern Wisconsin involving nearly 60 pounds of meth found in suitcases at a hotel, according to Brown County. RELATED:Sixteen people charged with drug crimes after meth investigation in Wausau area, RELATED:'Suitcases full' of methamphetamineseized in Appleton area. Click the link to donate to Stock the Shelves and fight hunger in your community. This month the DEA made the biggest meth bust in American history: 2200 pounds of meth, nearly 900 pounds of cocaine, and 13 pounds of heroin. The caller reported a vehicle was parked at a gas pump for more than an hour. A pound can fetch up to $7,000. Something that we've never seen up here in this type of quantity," says Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain. A federal criminal complaint obtained by Action 2 News shows Derek A. Liebergen is accused of possession with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of "a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.". Suitcases full of drugs. Serrano has been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. The caller said that the vehicle, which was occupied by one person, was parked at the gas pumps for over an hour. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "It basically shut down the flow of meth into this area, at least for a while," Lasee said. FOX 6 Now Milwaukee CLAM LAKE -- The war on drugs has a new battleground and it's deep in the heart of Wisconsin's great northwoods. Tell us where we should look inside here. Authorities in Germany and Belgium seized more than 23,000 kilograms (50,700 pounds) of cocaine, worth billions of dollars, in an international operation that resulted in one arrest, officials . "This is the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the sheriff's office's history," Knight . Nearly 50 people are now being charged after a year-long investigation focused in Duluth, Rochester, and on the Iron Range brought down this drug operation. After a lengthy investigation, officials say detectives uncovered a large drug trafficking organization in Pleasant Prairie. The next morning, the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office announced the 34 arrests and the seizure of 3,164 pounds of methamphetamine the biggest drug bust in the county's history, and one of the largest ever in the nation. However, where exactly the load came from is still under investigation. Liebergen used to live there. "When you're talking this large, this ties back to cartels," the sheriff continues. Their K-9, Rika . The Kwik Trip was on Freedom Road (CTH S) in Lawrence. Chou Xiong, 36,Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth, seven counts of distributing 5 grams or more,one count of distributing 50 grams or more. Authorities allege that the meth was to be sold to pay a drug debt. According to the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department, in February of 2021, deputies responded to a narcotics overdose investigation in the Village of Salem Lakes. Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. Sheriff Ron Cramer says this will go down as one of the largest seizures for. They had to revamp their strategy, which led to the successful end of this drug operation. On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had purchased "large quantities of methamphetamine" from Liebergen. The value of the seizure at that time was around $350 million which is the equivalent to $415 million in today's money. The federal government has made it a priority to go after distributors. A source tipped off the drug task force that Liebergen was bringing drugs into Northeast Wisconsin and selling them out of hotel rooms. While the arrest was good news for law enforcement in Hobart and elsewhere in Brown County, Bani doesn't pretend thatthis arrest will make the use of illicit drugs in the region go away. "This quantity was directed all over Northeast Wisconsin," says Sheriff Delain. and last updated 4:15 PM, Jan 21, 2022 KENOSHA, Wis. A Kenosha County overdose investigation uncovered nearly $4 million worth of narcotics from a drug trafficking organization. 1 person hospitalized after shooting at Peoria gas station, Anastasia to open Thursday night in Chandler, Heres the lineup for Arizona Broadway Theatres 2023-2024 season, TRENDING: Shes a tough kid: Avondale father says University of Idaho student killed fought her attacker. "Once we identified that source with that amount of methamphetamine that was supposed to hit the streets, they worked together to take action and apprehend that individual so that it didn't get to the streets," says Sheriff Delain. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking. Duluth police say this is the largest drug bust in history for the region. The affidavit for Ullmer's arrest states that on Oct. 1, police officers pulled Ullmer over in Green Bay. They searched the vehicle and found a Glock 9 mm handgun under the driver's seat, according to the affidavit. A meth bust earlier this month in the Wausau area, however, is not related to the Gran Chute case, authorities said. Liebergen is charged in federal court with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime. 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 pounds of meth seized during joint drug bust Clark's buzzer-beating three sends #6 Iowa past #2 Indiana 86-85 Police are searching for a suspect after shots . Sheriff Shawn Becker says his team has been working with the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force and the Department of Justices Division of Criminal Investigation into the matter for several months, ending when a search warrant was executed on Thursday, December 9th. A conviction on the trafficking charge could lead to a sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million. Nearly 50 people are now being charged after a year-long investigation focused in Duluth, Rochester, and on the Iron. Federal investigators believe the 58 pounds of meth seized from Liebergen's hotel room is worth $500,000 - $750,000 on the street. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. yp. Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. The complaint states the source had made multiple purchases from Liebergen in the past. All of the following items were seized: Methamphetamine Cocaine Fentanyl LSD Marijuana. "When he woke up, his hands came out of his pocket, and drug paraphernalia was visible.". Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription narcotic for pain). Mai Xiong, 32, Wausau:delivery of 10-50 grams of meth,party to the crimeas a habitual criminality repeater. Rugers and Glocks. He's also charged with possessing a gun in a drug trafficking crime. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. KENOSHA/RACINE COUNTIES (WITI) -- More than 44 people face serious drug charges after a raid that covered Racine and Kenosha counties. rc Authorities say an 11-month investigation that began with a drug overdose in southeastern Wisconsin has netted 106 pounds of cocaine with an. Liebergen had a handgun in the waistband of his pants when he was arrested. The seizure of roughly 60 pounds of meth last monthput "a serious dent"in the supply of the drug in the region, Brown County District Attorney David Lasee said Tuesday night. All rights reserved. Liebergen also is charged with possessing a firearm while committing a drug-trafficking crime. That turned up the following: --Alprazolam pills (panic/anxiety medication), --Drug ledgers with names, dollar amounts and dates. The seizure by the Brown County Sheriffs Office of10.68 pounds of methamphetamine in 2017 after afive-month investigation. Other major Wisconsin meth busts in recent years include: The seizure of 19 pounds in Manitowoc County this May. This may be the biggest meth bust in American. of cocaine that tested positive for fentanyl (estimated street value of the seized cocaine is $4,000,000 $6,000,000). Drug task force officers who worked the largest meth bust in Northeast Wisconsin say the drugs came from the Mexico Drug Cartel and were trafficked from Missouri to Wisconsin. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The Wausau-area arrests were not connected to another major bust in northeastern Wisconsin involving nearly 60 pounds of meth found in suitcases at a hotel, according to Brown County authorities involved in that case. The 10-day sting is. Wausau woman Lisa Xiong, 31, who went by the nickname "Nova," wasthe leader of the meth ring, according to court documents. Biggest drug bust in wisconsin. He was found with suitcases and bags full of drugs and a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun, according to federal prosecutors. Pounds of meth found in a hotel room. He drove from Missouri to Northeast Wisconsin to sell the meth to lower-level dealers. Marathon County prosecutors filed charges against four more. Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip. LAWRENCE, Wis. (WFRV) In what authorities are calling the largest drug bust in Hobart/Lawrence history, officers seized multiple items from a vehicle that was parked at Kwik Trips gas pumps for over an hour. Chong Chueneng Moua, 51, St. Paul, Minnesota:conspiring to distribute meth, possessing 50 grams or more with intent to distribute. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider. The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department said the county saw more than 40 fatal overdoses in 2021, primarily from fentanyl-laced narcotics. It is making sure we are stopping the flow of whats coming in and trying to decrease the access people have to these chemicals that can alter their lives and the lives of the people in their families, said Larson. Liebergen had a handgun in the waistband of his pants when he was arrested. In the bust, which occurred on Tuesday, authorities were able to seize, more than a pound of heroin and fentanyl, about two and a half pounds of methamphetamine, and two guns. While searching the semi-trailer officers also found two methamphetamine pipes. "This was the supply source for this part of Wisconsin.". A federal. Colombian police seized a haul of cocaine found on the Mira River that was one of the biggest seizures of this drug ever in the world. Mesa Police Department had its biggest drug bust ever when they found over 700,000 fentanyl pills and 15 pounds of hard drugs at an apartment. "This is going to be the largest seizure of methamphetamine in Northeast Wisconsin history. Deputies administered narcan to the involved subject, saving that person's life. DULUTH, Minn. The Duluth Police Department and a string of other law enforcement agencies including the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Taskforce have shut down a significant drug trafficking ring that extended throughout Greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The investigation was conducted by theCentral Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force. Officers "had to wake the guy up," Hobart-Lawrence Police Chief Randy Bani said. He funneled pounds of meth from Missouri to Northeast Wisconsin, according to investigators. Sheriff Ron Cramer says this will go down as one of the largest seizures for cocaine in the area, This is the single largest seizure for us, actually, he explained. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. TORONTO -. Inaddition to the illegal drugs, police seized what they called "alarge amount" of prescription medications and designer pills. ve. DavidPoteat said. Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. Kristie Ann Wallace was arrested as part of the raid and will have several unspecified charges against her forwarded to the Wood County District Attorney. On March 29, authorities say they were called to a gas station on Freedom Road (Highway S) in Lawrence. Liebergen agreed to an interview after his arrest. Sixteen people charged with drug crimes after meth investigation in Wausau area, 'Suitcases full' of methamphetamineseized in Appleton area, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The driver of the trailer was identified as Samuel Serrano from California. One of the warrants was executed at a Grand Chute hotel where defendant Derek A. Liebergen was alleged to be selling drugs. On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had purchased "large quantities of methamphetamine" from Liebergen. A gram of meth sold "on the street" in Wisconsin commonly costs $100 to $120, Brown County Sheriff's Capt. Drug task force officers point to 26-year-old Derek Liebergen as the leader of the operation. Investigators found a large number of drugs including over 310 mg of cocaine and over 300 Ecstasy pills. TOWN OF LAWRENCE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) A person falling asleep in a vehicle at a gas station led to the largest drug bust in Hobart/Lawrence history, police say. m. 158 people will eventually be charged with drug trafficking, according to Wood County Sheriff Tom Reichert. Police said the man brought $20,000 to $30,000 worth of drugs into the county, though the value of the substances could reach much higher depending how it is packaged and distributed. Inside the stash house, officers found 714,300 fentanyl pills, 3.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, six pounds of meth, 3.6 pounds of heroin and two pounds of cocaine. The investigation continues as authorities are still searching for about ten other individuals with active warrants for their arrests related to this drug trafficking ring. "He was living in the St. Louis area, so that's his connection. Chai Thao, 34,Wausau:two counts of distributing meth with one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more. The dealers broke it down to sell on the street. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. So that just shows you the fact that it spiders out," says Kinnard. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Her, 61, Wausau:delivery of 3-10 grams of meth,delivery of 10-50 grams of meth as a habitual criminality repeater. They wouldn't release the man's name because the investigation is continuing, but Lt. Matt Ronk of the Brown County Drug Task Force said authorities believe the man intended to deal drugs in the county. In that case, more than a dozen people have been charged in connection with the sale of meth that had been brought to Wisconsin from California. Appleton-area bust involving 'suitcases full' of methamphetamineis one of state's largest, RELATED:Untraceable 'ghost guns' pose new worry for Green Bay-area police, threaten to serve as new currency in meth buys. Police also confiscated the 2019 Ford Explorer the man had been driving. On Oct. 3, Ullmer's girlfriend was arrested in Oconto Falls. Authorities say an 11-month investigation that began with a drug overdose in southeastern Wisconsin has netted 106 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value up to $6 million. According to Duluth police, this ring sold an estimated $1 million worth of drugs between January and this month. The operation resulted in the seizure of the following: Officials say the investigation is still active. Jan 26, 2022 0 Three people have been arrested what the La Crosse Police Department describes as the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the city's history. Sheriff Becker adds that Wood County has seen 12 overdose deaths this year, and with the number of drugs taken off the street as a result of the raid it is likely that many lives were saved from an overdose. 10. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Two weeks later, as police have sorted out their findings, Hobart-Lawrence police say the March arrest turns out to have been the largest drug bust the department has ever made. Police say on Nov. 9, a traffic stop led to police searching an apartment near Country Club and University drives. Lisa Marie Celeskey, 33, faces one felony count of first-degree aggravated controlled substance crime and one felony count of third-degree controlled substance crimes. On Oct. 3, Ullmer's girlfriend was arrested in Oconto Falls. Serrano admitted to be a meth user. A search of her vehicle turned up the following: --Loaded Smith & Wesson MP Shield 9mm handgun. Cartel connection: tracing meth from Missouri to Northeast Wisconsin hotels, 911 call turns fire drill at Xavier High School into shelter-in-place order, Milwaukee murder suspect captured after chase in Winnebago County, Prosecution moves to ban Grant Fuhrmans mother from the courtroom, Aaron Rodgers hopes to have decision sooner rather than later, Brown County Showcase of Homes starts spring tour, Public File Assistance Contact - (920) 432-3331. , Wausau: two counts of distributing meth with one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more 158. America Day takes place every year on March 29, authorities say they were called a. Of drug paraphernalia was visible. `` Doug Schneider at ( 920 ) 431-8333 or., '' Lasee said into this area, however, is not related the... 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