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. Liebergenwas taken into custody at the hotel on Sept. 11, and formally charged on Sept. 16, court records show. MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) -- In the biggest drug bust recorded in Mesa Police Department history, officers uncovered over 700,000 fentanyl pills and more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine earlier this month. It's like a plot straight out of the Netflix crime drama "Ozark." The DEA does know where the load was destined to go but are not releasing that information at this time. He would rent out a hotel room and "sell multiple pounds of methamphetamine" from the room. The organization also had ties throughout the United States and Mexico, according to the sheriff's office. Federal charges have been filed against a man accused of selling large quantities of meth out of a hotel room in Grand Chute. The value was. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider. Her, 61, Wausau:delivery of 3-10 grams of meth,delivery of 10-50 grams of meth as a habitual criminality repeater. "It's not about drugs. He drove from Missouri to Northeast Wisconsin to sell the meth to lower-level dealers. Police say they tookthousands of dollars' worth of illicit drugs off the street, as well as four loaded handgunsand ammunition. Police also confiscated the 2019 Ford Explorer the man had been driving. Officers arrested 36-year-old Jesus Rojas Romero, 20-year-old Alex Ruiz, and 22-year-old Christian Valles Castro after the bust. Joshua . He has entered not guilty pleas to the charges. One of the warrants was executed at a Grand Chute hotel where defendant Derek A. Liebergen was alleged to be selling drugs. HANSEN, Wis. (WFRV) - Multiple people were arrested in central Wisconsin after authorities executed five search warrants and reportedly found drugs, guns and currency. Investigators found a large number of drugs including over 310 mg of cocaine and over 300 Ecstasy pills. He and his girlfriend, 25-year-old girlfriend Carley Poettker were arrested following the search. Police said the man's "stash" includedsignificant amounts of cocaine, as well asmethamphetamine, fentanyl, LSD, marijuana, heroin,drug paraphernalia and about $50,000 in cash. 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. Their K-9, Rika . KENOSHA, Wis. A Kenosha County overdose investigation uncovered nearly $4 million worth of narcotics from a drug trafficking organization. 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. jw. Operation Tranquilandia was led by the DEA in 1984. The source told officers that Liebergen was going to be in the area on Sept. 11 with a large amount of meth. That's what drug task force officers say they found while investigating a major drug operation in Northeast Wisconsin. This may be the biggest meth bust in American. 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. The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Department says a California man is in custody for the biggest cocaine bust investigators have ever seen in our area. Eight others are charged in the conspiracy: Malachai J. Root, 29 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime, Wayne L. Stilen, 39 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime, Sally A. Miller, 35 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Jeremy M. Ludwig, 32 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Kayla R. Kennedy, 39 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Jasmine L. Gillette, 24 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Christopher S. Ullmer, 22 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Peter F. Thao, 23 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances. The driver of the trailer was identified as Samuel Serrano from California. Deputies also confiscated24grams of MDMA commonly known as the club drug "ecstasy" 64grams of hashish oil, 27grams of marijuana, 3.5grams of cocaine, illegally obtained prescription medication, drug paraphernalia and two guns. Ronk said a gram of cocaine can sell for about $100, while an ounceof the stimulantcan fetch between $1,300 and $1,800 depending on how pure it is, where it is soldand other factors. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. The department also says Menards has no connection to the case and reported the incident to law enforcement right away. 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. As a result of that investigation, a federal grand jury has returned an six-count indictment charging nine defendants with conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana. He was found with suitcases and bags full of drugs and a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun, according to federal prosecutors. One of the biggest drug busts Florida has ever seen was straight out of a movie. Police caught up with Liebergen at a Grand Chute hotel. An affidavit for Ullmer's arrest states that on Oct. 1, police officers pulled Ullmer over in Green Bay. So that just shows you the fact that it spiders out," says Kinnard. WAUSAU- A Wausau-area methamphetamine distributionring was responsible for bringing "pounds" of the drug into central Wisconsin before authorities busted 16 people who were involved, U.S. Attorney Scott Blader said. rc Authorities say an 11-month investigation that began with a drug overdose in southeastern Wisconsin has netted 106 pounds of cocaine with an. According to. Duluth Police say they were ready to take down the organization back in March, but the pandemic put a pause on their plan. A source tipped off the drug task force that Liebergen was bringing drugs into Northeast Wisconsin and selling them out of hotel rooms. Suitcases full of drugs. Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards Police Department, and Wisconsin Rapids . Home / Legal News / Overdose investigation leads to large drug bust in Wisconsin Overdose investigation leads to large drug bust in Wisconsin KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) 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. Warm weather thinning ice ahead of sturgeon spearing, Kewaunee 4-H club wins Cedar Crest Ice Cream contest, Weyauwega derailment memories resurface after Ohio, More from WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton, Semi ends up on its side on I-41 near FDL County, FDL man arrested, held on 10 counts of Child Pornography, Police in WI warns community of fake money, Milwaukee homicide suspect arrested in Winnebago, USPS to buy 9K electric vehicles, 14K charging stations, Missing Kimberly man found, returned safely home, Drug task force in Wisconsin finds nearly $120k in, WI man sentenced for failing to pay IRS employment, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Large amount of prescription medications and designer pills. Serrano has been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He's also charged with possessing a gun in a drug trafficking crime. They searched the vehicle and found a Glock 9 mm handgun under the driver's seat, according to the affidavit. 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. Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip. LAWRENCE - It started as a guy sleeping at the wheel of an SUV at a southern Brown County Kwik Trip around midnight. DavidPoteat said. The 10-day sting is. Other major Wisconsin meth busts in recent years include: The seizure of 19 pounds in Manitowoc County this May. al. Something that we've never seen up here in this type of quantity," says Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain. Mai Xiong, 32, Wausau:delivery of 10-50 grams of meth,party to the crimeas a habitual criminality repeater. John Gates, 49, Hewitt:conspiring to distribute meth, two counts of attempting to possess the drug with intent to distribute. Live PD: Top 7 Biggest Money Busts | A&E A&E 9.28M subscribers Subscribe 93K Share 15M views 2 years ago #LivePD Stay up to date on all of A&E's premieres at http://aetv.com/schedule Check out. Among the. 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. "I talked to a narcotics investigator from Kewaunee County, and he was telling me, immediately after us taking this off, he said, 'I can't buy meth because my people are telling me, oh, they took somebody off in Appleton.' The value of the seizure at that time was around $350 million which is the equivalent to $415 million in today's money. The complaint says on April 10th police were called to the Menards Distribution Center in Eau Claire where employees found suspicious items in a semi-trailer. Action 2 News is working to obtain all of the complaints and affidavits. 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. The Lake Winnebago Area MEG Unit, Brown County Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, and Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation worked together on the case. Chong Chueneng Moua, 51, St. Paul, Minnesota:conspiring to distribute meth, possessing 50 grams or more with intent to distribute. Liebergen obtained pounds of meth on several occasions dating back to spring. Serrano admitted to be a meth user. "The task force is in place and has already demonstrated its effectiveness," he said, adding he foresees the group continuing to grow in the future. Sandy Vang, 49,Wausau:three counts of distributing meth with two counts alleged to involve 5 grams or more. Other major Wisconsin meth busts in recent years include: The seizure of 19 pounds in Manitowoc County this May. 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. He funneled pounds of meth from Missouri to Northeast Wisconsin, according to investigators. When we see a kilo of cocaine that's unusual for us here in Wisconsin but to see 65 pounds is highly unusual.. The Wood County Sheriff's. m. 158 people will eventually be charged with drug trafficking, according to Wood County Sheriff Tom Reichert. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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. 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. Someone would book the room for Liebergen so there was no trace back to him. The drug haul was destined for Brown County, and would likely have been sold locally, police said. Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription narcotic for pain). 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 . Stopping the spread of illegal drugs and drug trafficking in this community is incredibly important. A brother-sister duo, a quiet suburb, and a false attic wall hiding $24 million in cash made trafficking. Appleton-area bust involving 'suitcases full' of methamphetamineis one of state's largest, Untraceable 'ghost guns' pose new worry for Green Bay-area police, threaten to serve as new currency in meth buys, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. A quantity of illegal drugs will sell for significantly more in Upper Michigan than in northeastern Wisconsin, Ronk 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. The affidavit for Ullmer's arrest states that on Oct. 1, police officers pulled Ullmer over in Green Bay. The identities of the subjects are not being released yet. Drugs, guns," says Lt. Kevin Kinnard, Brown County Drug Task Force. Biggest drug bust in Mesa PD history: 700K+ fentanyl pills, 15 lbs of hard drugs found. Duluth police say this is the largest drug bust in history for the region. More information on those is expected to be released at a later date. The task force used confidential informants, undercover officers, surveillance, covert cameras and wiretapsto investigate the distribution ring, court documents state. The dealers broke it down to sell on the street. Liebergen also is charged with possessing a firearm while committing a drug-trafficking crime. A search warrant was executed at Ullmer's home in Oconto Falls. Parks said Xiong's operation had the ability to move up to a pound of meth at a time in central Wisconsin. 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.". He along with the others involved are being charged with six felony counts including conspiring and A pound can fetch up to $7,000. What was going to be sold? The case is being prosecuted in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had purchased "large quantities of methamphetamine" from Liebergen. Serrano has been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. A search warrant was executed at Ullmer's home in Oconto Falls. Liebergen agreed to an interview after his arrest. The task force, formed in 2018, is made up of officers from the Marathon County and Lincoln County sheriff's offices, Wausau and Everest Metro police departments,Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigationand the FBI, Marathon County Sheriff Scott Parks said. In addition to the drugs, officers also seized over $16,000 in cash and a large quantity of high-valued jewelry from the home. At this point, only the Liebergen and Ullmer affidavits have been filed on federal court records. They said Tuesday that the investigation could lead to further arrests. Meng Xiong, 26,Wausau:two counts of distributing meth with one count alleged to involve 5 grams or more. Inaddition to the illegal drugs, police seized what they called "alarge amount" of prescription medications and designer pills. The price of an ounce can range from $700 to $1,350. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Posted 8 Jun 2021 8 Jun 2021 Tue 8 Jun 2021 at 6:25am , updated . The estimated street value of the drugs seized is between $132,000 and $142,000. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Charges: Anoka residents busted with over 1,000 grams of meth. "He was living in the St. Louis area, so that's his connection. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. 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. Police found 1,800kg (283 stone) of what is known locally as. Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription narcotic for pain). The source told police that Liebergen would travel from out of state to the Appleton area with a large amount of meth. The investigator says this bust is having an impact. They searched the vehicle and found a Glock 9 mm handgun under the driver's seat, according to the affidavit. Someone notified sheriff's dispatchers that the driver of a car at the station appearedto have been asleep at thegas pumps for roughly an hour. On March 29, authorities say they were called to a gas station on Freedom Road (Highway S) in Lawrence. Liebergen used to live there. "It basically shut down the flow of meth into this area, at least for a while," Lasee said. 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. Federal investigators believe the 58 pounds of meth seized from Liebergen's hotel room is worth $500,000 - $750,000 on the street. While they don't yet know the street value of the drugs, Police Chief Randy Bani said investigators believe between $20,000 to $30,000 of drugs were confiscated. Lisa Xiong, 31, Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth,three counts of distributing 5 grams or more, possessing 50 grams or more of meth with intent to distribute. 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