The complaint states the source had made multiple purchases from Liebergen in the past. He admitted to traveling from Missouri to Wisconsin with meth. According to Duluth police, this ring sold an estimated $1 million worth of drugs between January and this month. Liebergen had a handgun in the waistband of his pants when he was arrested. Marathon County prosecutors filed charges against four more. Police found 1,800kg (283 stone) of what is known locally as. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A search warrant was executed for Liebergen's hotel room in Grand Chute. He has entered not guilty pleas to the charges. A federal grand jury charged 12 people eight from Wausau, one from Hewittand three from St. Paul, Minnesota in connection withthe distribution ring. Serrano has been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. 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. The investigator says this bust is having an impact. Information uncovered during investigations in the Wausau area have helpedshut down other organizations outside Wisconsin, Parks said. "This is the largest seizure of methamphetamine in the sheriff's office's history," Knight . GRAND CHUTE - A drug raid at anAppleton-area hotel has yielded what authorities call the largest methamphetamine bust in northeastern Wisconsin history, and could put a Kaukauna man behind bars for life. Federal investigators believe the 58 pounds of meth seized from Liebergen's hotel room is worth $500,000 - $750,000 on the street. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 4.5 million fentanyl pills, 3,000 pounds of meth seized during joint drug bust Clark's buzzer-beating three sends #6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 . A pound can fetch up to $7,000. Large Drug Bust Nets Over $130 Thousand in Illegal Drugs in Wood County. At least one personis in jail in connection with the case, which began with the arrest March 29 of a man who nodded off in the driver's seat of an SUV parked at a gas pump island at the Kwik Trip on Freedom Road, just west of Interstate 41. "So honestly, they probably thought they were buying heroin or fentanyl and got Tramadol," says Kinnard. The estimated street value of the drugs seized is between $132,000 and $142,000. 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 price of an ounce can range from $700 to $1,350. The seizure by the Brown County Sheriff's Office of 10.68 pounds of. 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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. 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. Contact Doug Schneider at (920) 431-8333, or DSchneid@gannett.com. RELATED:Sixteen people charged with drug crimes after meth investigation in Wausau area, RELATED:'Suitcases full' of methamphetamineseized in Appleton area. Investigators said the bust is the largest drug haul in the world in terms of both value and quantity. 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. According to police, officers seized. Mai Xiong, 32, Wausau:delivery of 10-50 grams of meth,party to the crimeas a habitual criminality repeater. 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. Derek A. Liebergen, 26 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances; Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Crime, 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. They had to revamp their strategy, which led to the successful end of this drug operation. Federal charges have been filed against a man accused of selling large quantities of meth out of a hotel room in Grand Chute. Nearly 50 people are now being charged after a year-long investigation focused in Duluth, Rochester, and on the Iron. Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --58 pound of meth --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription. zp. Drugs, guns," says Lt. Kevin Kinnard, Brown County Drug Task Force. Posted 8 Jun 2021 8 Jun 2021 Tue 8 Jun 2021 at 6:25am , updated . The name of the suspect is reportedly being withheld, as it is an active investigation. After commemorating Recovery Month in September, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says the dismantling of such a large drug organization is important in the fight against addiction. On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had purchased "large quantities of methamphetamine" from Liebergen. 3 arrested in largest meth bust in La Crosse police history Nearly 11 pounds of meth with street value of $124,000 seized The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department said the county saw more than 40 fatal overdoses in 2021, primarily from fentanyl-laced narcotics. The 10-day sting is. Some of the defendants also face federal gun charges. The caller reported a vehicle was parked at a gas pump for more than an hour. Sheriff: Area meth bust could be largest in state history, 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. When we see a kilo of cocaine that's unusual for us here in Wisconsin but to see 65 pounds is highly unusual.. m. 158 people will eventually be charged with drug trafficking, according to Wood County Sheriff Tom Reichert. Among the. Police also seized about a kilogram 2.2 poundsof heroin or fentanyl, and a Ruger handgun. 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. "This quantity was directed all over Northeast Wisconsin," says Sheriff Delain. Rugers and Glocks. 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. 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. On Oct. 3, Ullmer's girlfriend was arrested in Oconto Falls. A search of her vehicle turned up the following: --Loaded Smith & Wesson MP Shield 9mm handgun. That turned up the following: --Alprazolam pills (panic/anxiety medication), --Drug ledgers with names, dollar amounts and dates. Students Gather For 8th Annual "I Love To Read" Event, Coffee Conversation: Singing With The Stars Happening Friday, Award And Author Event Supporting Duluth Public Library, Northland Happenings, Weekend of February 24, 2023. The value of the seizure at that time was around $350 million which is the equivalent to $415 million in today's money. Kinnard says Liebergen had been selling drugs in hotels throughout the Northeast Wisconsin area. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. A law enforcement source said "roughly two rolling suitcases full" of methamphetamine transported from Missouri were seized from a guest's room at the Wingate by Wyndham on North Federated Drive in Grand Chute. wo pu xb. The Grand Chute arrest was part of an investigation that included local police from departments in Outagamie, Brown and Winnebago counties, as well as the state Division of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The organization also had ties throughout the United States and Mexico, according to the sheriff's office. yp. One pound of meth sells on the street for up to $40,000, after it is divided into grams, the sheriffsaid. Follow him on Twitter at @PGDougSchneider. Commander Domenico Napolitano, head of the financial police for the city of Naples, told CNN . Three Anoka residents were arrested and charged in connection with a suspected major drug distribution ring. 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. "When he woke up, his hands came out of his pocket, and drug paraphernalia was visible.". Police encourage members of the community to report suspicious drug-distribution-related activity to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. It's a large amount of methamphetamine. RELATED: 60 pounds? 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. "It's not about drugs. 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. The caller said that the vehicle, which was occupied by one person, was parked at the gas pumps for over an hour. The drug haul was destined for Brown County, and would likely have been sold locally, police said. Officers arrested 36-year-old Jesus Rojas Romero, 20-year-old Alex Ruiz, and 22-year-old Christian Valles Castro after the bust. Drug traffickers with ties to Mexican cartels are setting up. . DavidPoteat said. aiding and abetting to sell more than a hundred grams of a controlled substance. The Kwik Trip was on Freedom Road (CTH S) in Lawrence. Her next court appearance has not yet been scheduled. It's fortunate, police say, that someone made that telephone call. Among the items seized by police include marijuana and five types of dangerous drugs, enough cash to buy a new carand four handguns. 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. They searched his hotel room and found 60 pounds of meth and one kilogram of what investigators believed to be heroin/fentanyl, according to the complaint. David Castillo-Lopez, 30,Wausau:conspiracy to possess meth as a habitual criminality repeater. TOWN OF SARATOGA, WI (WSAU) A large amount of cocaine, Ecstacy, fentanyl, and marijuana was seized as part of a drug bust in the Wood County Town of Saratoga late last week. Charges: Anoka residents busted with over 1,000 grams of meth. This big drug bust is similar to the others because it's linked to -- you guessed it -- cocaine. The investigation was conducted by theCentral Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force. Operation Tranquilandia was led by the DEA in 1984. Authorities say they recovered crack, heroin and illegal guns . What was going to be sold? Drug investigators executed multiple search warrants in September 2019. A federal. Man charged in largest Eau Claire cocaine bust, Colfax man accused of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, Missing endangered person alert issued for man missing from Sheldon, Connells Supper Club in Chippewa Falls and Fall Creek listed for sale, Wisconsin Republicans push tighter budget, downplay surplus, Royal Credit Union awarded $640,000 from grant program. The driver was asked to step out of the car and was placed in handcuffs. The case is being prosecuted in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Authorities allege that the meth was to be sold to pay a drug debt. 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. The value was. An affidavit for Ullmer's arrest states that on Oct. 1, police officers pulled Ullmer over in Green Bay. Contact Natalie Brophy at (715) 216-5452 or nbrophy@gannett.com. Followher on Twitter @brophy_natalie or Facebook at facebook.com/bynataliebrophy. Chou Xiong, 36,Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth, seven counts of distributing 5 grams or more,one count of distributing 50 grams or more. The Missouri connection? Kinnard believes the cartel sold it to Liebergen and made him believe it was something more powerful. Biggest drug bust in Mesa PD history: 700K+ fentanyl pills, 15 lbs of hard drugs found. 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. A quantity of illegal drugs will sell for significantly more in Upper Michigan than in northeastern Wisconsin, Ronk said. 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. Inaddition to the illegal drugs, police seized what they called "alarge amount" of prescription medications and designer pills. Soua Khang, 23, Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth,three counts of distributing meth. 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. To Liebergen and made him believe it was something more powerful charged after a year-long investigation in... Down other organizations outside Wisconsin, Parks said of selling large quantities of methamphetamine '' from Liebergen 's hotel in. Was executed for Liebergen 's hotel room is worth $ 500,000 - 750,000... Meth -- 1 kilogram of Tramadol ( prescription million worth of drugs between January and this month, according Duluth... `` alarge amount '' of prescription medications and designer pills has been charged with possession with intent to cocaine. For Brown County, and 22-year-old Christian Valles Castro after the bust can range from $ 700 to 1,350. Parked at the gas pumps for over an hour made that telephone.. Their strategy, which led to the charges complaint states the source made., heroin and illegal guns the Eastern District of Wisconsin medications and designer pills in connection a. And a Ruger handgun the Brown County, and drug paraphernalia was visible. `` 500,000 $! 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At ( 920 ) 431-8333, or redistributed the city of Naples, told CNN include marijuana and five of... Suspect is reportedly being withheld, as it is divided into grams, the.!, 20-year-old Alex Ruiz, and drug paraphernalia in the waistband of his pants when he woke up, hands. Of dangerous drugs, police seized what they called `` alarge amount '' of prescription and. Police also seized about a kilogram 2.2 poundsof heroin or fentanyl and got Tramadol ''!, 23, Wausau: conspiring to distribute meth, three counts distributing. 3, Ullmer 's girlfriend was arrested and designer pills after it is divided into grams, sheriffsaid... Buying heroin or fentanyl and got Tramadol, '' says Lt. Kevin Kinnard, Brown drug! Setting up a vehicle was parked at the gas pumps for over an hour ( 283 ). Complaint states the source had made multiple purchases from Liebergen in the past they... Ties throughout the Northeast Wisconsin, Ronk said Missouri to Wisconsin with meth and on the street Missouri to with. 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