Ricky James Montgomery, the former hotelier Bradley James Evans and a Maroubra man, Hayden Rodgers - were found guilty

Former South Sydney footballer Ricky James Montgomery, the former hotelier Bradley James Evans and a Maroubra man, Hayden Rodgers - were found guilty.Since then, their lawyers have raised concerns over the role of the then Crime Commission investigator Mark Standen, who faces drug charges, and his link with Steven James, the key Crown witness against them.three eastern suburbs men to conspire with others to import a large amount of cocaine.The plan, hatched in phone calls and during meetings between co-conspirators in Spain, Canada and at the Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club, was to import the drugs hidden in a truck that was being shipped from Panama to Sydney on a container ship.At Patrick's dock at Darling Harbour, dock workers known to one or more of the conspirators were to offload the truck and its contents, and take the drugs out of the terminal.But neither the Illinois-registered truck, nor its expected 30-kilogram illegal cargo, ever made it to Australia.
Yesterday - more than six years after the conspiracy started and after two lengthy trials - the three men were sentenced for their roles.James, who had taken a leading role in the import plan, had misled the court at his own sentencing hearing and successfully minimised his role, Judge Peter Zahra found yesterday. He found he could not trust James's testimony unless it was corroborated and found Evans and Rodgers were not as involved in the conspiracy as Montgomery.
All three would face a difficult time in prison because of the effect on their families, and various physical and psychological ailments, Judge Zahra ruled.
Montgomery, who had a record, was sentenced to a minimum of nearly 11 years. Evans received a minimum prison term of seven years, and Rodgers was given a minimum six-year prison sentence.

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Lynne Wilson, a teacher at Treasure Coast High School, was arrested after she tried to return items for which she had not paid.

Lynne Wilson, a teacher at Treasure Coast High School, was arrested after she tried to return items for which she had not paid.Police said they found cocaine in her pocket while she was being placed under arrest.

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Maria Guadalupe Trevino-Venegas, Laura Trevino and her sisters, Adriana and Evelia, have been convicted

Maria Guadalupe Trevino-Venegas, Laura Trevino and her sisters, Adriana and Evelia, have been convicted of conspiring and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine. All of the suspects are from Brownsville. They were arrested at a border crossing in Brownsville, after a smuggling attempt in June. Authorities say the women had over 40 pounds of cocaine strapped to their bodies.

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Jose Carlos "Charlie" Hinojosa, 31, of Roma - who now faces multiple counts of conspiracy, drug smuggling and money laundering in the ongoing case.

Sheriff Reymundo "Rey" Guerra has not been named in the 17-count indictment against more than 10 men and women accused of working with the Gulf Cartel.But a case file partially unsealed last week lists the warrant used to search his office among others described as "related" to the smuggling investigation.Federal authorities would not confirm Thursday whether the sheriff is expected to face any criminal charges in connection with the case or whether he is suspected of any wrongdoing at all.Guerra declined to comment when reached by phone Thursday afternoon.Agents executed a sealed search warrant on Guerra's Rio Grande City office on Sept. 4, taking boxes filled with documents, electronic equipment and photos.Investigators also seized a "gold-colored badge" from a safe under the sheriff's desk and an evidence bag filled with "a green leafy substance" from a drawer in the office, according to the federal receipt drawn up after the seizure.Two days earlier, authorities targeted a residence belonging to Jose Carlos "Charlie" Hinojosa, 31, of Roma - who now faces multiple counts of conspiracy, drug smuggling and money laundering in the ongoing case.Federal prosecutors allege Hinojosa and more than nine associates smuggled more than 2 tons of marijuana and 1,200 pounds of cocaine into the United States. Then, they reportedly helped move nearly half a million dollars in proceeds from narcotics sales back south across the border.Agents took several documents, stacks of cash wrapped in cellophane and magazines of ammunition during their search of Hinojosa's home, court documents state.He was arrested the same day as part of a nationwide sweep of men and women suspected of working with the Gulf Cartel, a Mexican drug trafficking organization that controls smuggling routes from Nuevo Laredo in the west to Matamoros in the east.
U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey said during a news conference last week that 175 cartel members and associates - including Hinojosa and his alleged accomplices - had supplied drug markets in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, New York and even Italy.The 15-month investigation - dubbed "Project Reckoning" - involves several separate cases in federal courts across the country.
But nearly all feature links to the Rio Grande Valley because of its status as the Gulf Cartel's primary smuggling corridor, federal investigators said Thursday.
In all, more than 23 Valley residents have been indicted nationwide and several more people are expected to come under prosecutorial scrutiny as the names of several yet unnamed defendants are released.But it remains unclear whether Sheriff Guerra will be one of them.As Starr County's top law enforcement official, he polices a region with one of the highest rates of drug trafficking in the country.He succeeded Eugenio "Gene" Falcon as sheriff in 1998, after Falcon was charged with accepting bribes from a bail bondsman.

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Byronell Arline was arrested on a cocaine possession charge by the New Port Richey Police Department

Byronell Arline was arrested on a cocaine possession charge by the New Port Richey Police Department at 12:19 a.m. Sunday. He was released that morning on $5,000 bail.
Arline, 18, who landed a scholarship to play football at Dodge City (Kansas) Community College, returned to Florida in July after a two-week stint at Dodge City.
At the time, Ridgewood football coach Chris Taylor said Arline didn't feel "like he fit in there, so he decided to come home."That scholarship was the culmination of a record-setting high school season and career for the running back. In 2007, Arline's senior season, he ran for 2,188 yards and 35 touchdowns, eclipsing records set in 2001 by former Wesley Chapel star Tyrone Tomlin.He ended his career with 5,189 rushing yards, which broke the mark set in 2000 by former Land O' Lakes back Godfrey Pestana

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Indicted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine or methamphetamine, or both, included the accused ringleader of the organization, Bertario Santos-Rojas,

Indicted for conspiracy to distribute cocaine or methamphetamine, or both, included the accused ringleader of the organization, Bertario Santos-Rojas, 36, of Auburn, and three cousins, all of them brothers: Ignacio Pena-Garcia, 32, Jose Vidal-Barraza, 21, and Antonio Rojas-Perez, who is being held by immigration.Others arrested include: Maria Baez, 30, Jesus Yordani Moreno Zuarez, 20, Nestor Cruz-Santiago, 22, Baltazar Davila Cervantes, 24, Christian Ruelas-Ortiz, 22, Martin Miguel Velasco, 30, Daniel Roberto Lopez-Lopez, 24, Simon Ruiz Garcia, 37, Maura Meza, 24 and Georgina Fernandez, 22.Also arrested and indicted was Daryl Shears, 43, of Renton, accused of being one of Rojas' best customers, allegedly buying as many as 15 kilos of cocaine a month.Felicia Bowen, 36, an Eastside real estate agent, also was among those arrested. Bowen, who had served time in prison, was featured last year in a local publication for her reputed success in going straight.
At one point during the investigation, agents stopped a vehicle leaving Bowen's Renton home, finding a duffel bag holding 15 bricks of suspected cocaine, each block 8 inches long and just as thick. In the passenger seat was Bowen's teenage son and behind the wheel was the boy's friend. Neither of the juveniles was indicted in the federal case.The yearlong investigation was set off by what was initially a routine event -- the arrest in January 2007 of a petty drug dealer in downtown Seattle, police Chief Gil Kerlikowske said.That dealer provided valuable information, Kerlikowske said.U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Sullivan said a series of phone taps authorized by the Federal Wiretap Act were key to making the arrests. Agents were able to listen to hours of conversation between the defendants as they allegedly arranged drug sales and purchases.
"We were getting it from the horse's mouth," Moorin said.
Even so, agents had to interpret the conversations, peppered with code words for cocaine such as "girls," "white cars," "paint" and sometimes "snow."
Authorities allege that customers in the Seattle region would place their orders with some of the defendants, who made arrangements with contacts in Mexico to have the drugs smuggled into the United States, typically hiding the material in vehicles.
One vehicle, a Cadillac Escalade, was stopped by Oregon State Police in November 2007 and seized when a drug-sniffing dog found evidence of narcotics. A search later revealed 31 kilos of cocaine and $11,000 in cash hidden in the vehicle's speakers.
Rojas was a passenger in the vehicle, but not arrested at the time while the investigation continued.On Sept. 10, authorities allegedly learned through surveillance and phone taps that some of the defendants were arranging to deliver 15 kilos of cocaine to Shears at Bowen's home. Investigators moved in to make the arrests.But Rojas was not the peak. Federal agents said the Auburn man was very likely working for one of the Mexican drug cartels in Sinaloa, Mexico.
"You don't do this on your own," Moorin said.In addition to the arrests, investigators seized 50 kilos of cocaine, 30 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly $1 million in cash, 23 vehicles and a boat.

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Gregory Kaczmarek former Schenectady police chief has been charged with conspiring to distribute drugs

former Schenectady police chief has been charged with conspiring to distribute drugs in upstate New York. Gregory Kaczmarek was arraigned along with his wife on a second-degree conspiracy charge Thursday. The Kaczmareks are also charged with multiple counts of felony cocaine possession and conspiracy to sell marijuana. Lisa Kaczmarek was charged earlier this year after a state investigation that also led to the arrest of her son and more than 20 other people. Authorities say they picked up drugs on Long Island and sold them in the Albany area. When Kaczmarek was named chief in 1996, he met with reporters to deny rumors he used cocaine. He retired in 2002 amid a corruption scandal.

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Stanley Richards allegedly had in his possession seven grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty

Stanley Richards, on Saturday September 20, allegedly had in his possession seven grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty. He is being represented by defense counsel Gary Ramlochand.In making a bail application, Ramlochand told the court that his client has a reputed wife and two children, and is the sloe breadwinner of his household.According to Ramlochand, on the day in question Richards was attending a funeral at Le Repentir cemetery where he was approached by the police, beaten in the public and searched.He told the court that the accused was subsequently taken to the Brickdam Police Station where he was striped naked, tortured and burnt with cigarettes.
He said his client was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated for various injuries.The lawyer added that given the medical condition of his client bail should be granted, since the law says bail can be granted in special circumstances.However, police prosecutor Denise Griffith objected to bail on the ground that the law as it relates to narcotic charges is clear.She added that the part of the law which states that bail should be granted if a special reason is given relates to the offence and not to the offender.As it relates to the allegation leveled against the police about the accused being tortured, Griffith informed the defence that they should take whatever action necessary since they are aware of the law. The defence then asked for an independent medical examination to be done on his client.His request was, however, denied and bail was refused. Richards was remanded and is expected to make his next court appearance on October 1.

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Enrique Araque Estrada, 52, and Rene Manuel Sanchez, 46, both of Phoenix, were charged for allegedly being in possession with the intent to distribute

Enrique Araque Estrada, 52, and Rene Manuel Sanchez, 46, both of Phoenix, were charged for allegedly being in possession with the intent to distribute 5 or more kilograms between September 2006 and March 2007, according to a court complaint.
If convicted, the three men face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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Dwight David Shinaul,was charged with one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute the drug

Dwight David Shinaul, 28, of Brooklyn Park, was charged with one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute the drug, the office said.According to his indictment, Shinaul conspired with others to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine between Jan. 1, 2007 and Aug. 26, 2008. Additionally on Aug. 26, 2008 he was in possession 500 or more grams with the intention to distribute it.
Officers attempted to stop Shinaul who was in his vehicle on Aug. 26 after he engaged in a drug transaction. He led police on a short chase before he was caught. Police saw him emptying his pockets of bags containing 79.7 grams of cocaine. Police recovered about $8,440 in cash from Shinaul's pocket, the complaint said.

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Gang's local leader, Jose Diaz, was arrested July 30 on felony narcotics charges

Gang's local leader, Jose Diaz, was arrested July 30 on felony narcotics charges, she said.Investigators found $86,000, seized nearly 9 pounds of cocaine and recovered four handguns during their probe, Brennan said. Diaz wired $40,000 to $50,000 a week in drug proceeds to associates in Puerto Rico, prosecutors said. On June 5, a Connecticut resident bought cocaine hidden in a child's pegboard stool, Brennan said. The cocaine was still inside the stool when investigators recovered it near Waterbury, Conn., she said.The nine were indicted Aug. 29 on charges that included conspiracy, criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance, money laundering and weapons possession. They pleaded not guilty at arraignment in Manhattan's state Supreme Court.Six were held without bail, two were released without bail and one was held in $35,000 bail. They were ordered to return to court Oct. 6.

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Dwayne Loncke had in his possession two kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. To the charge he pleaded not guilty

Dwayne Loncke, appeared yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.It is alleged that on Tuesday, September 16, at Fifth Street, Alberttown, Loncke had in his possession two kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. To the charge he pleaded not guilty.He was represented by Defence Counsel Glenn Hanoman, who told the court that his client has a fixed place of abode at 65 Hadfield Street, Stabroek.He added that Loncke has been married for the past eight years and has a son. Currently, he said, his client is pursuing studies in Accountancy at the Business School.Hanoman added that the defence is very eager to begin the trial and requested an early date. Loncke was remanded and is scheduled to make his next court appearance on October 6.

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Daniel King was sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty in July to one count of structuring.

Daniel King was sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty in July to one count of structuring. The charge involves making bank deposits in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid reporting requirements. Federal authorities say King also bought a $1.15 home in Saratoga and made other purchases in the late 1990s from his cocaine trafficking activities. After the government seized some of his assets, King fled the country for about a year. When he returned in 1999, prosecutors say King was able to escape arrest by living in Texas under an assumed name. When the 67-year-old King finishes his 18-month sentence, he'll be on supervised release for three years.

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Devan A. Williams,was arrested charged with felony counts of trafficking and possession of cocaine

Devan A. Williams, 1259 Oxford Ave. NW, was arrested in the 600 block of Wilson Place NW, where police said he also was riding a stolen bicycle. Williams was charged with felony counts of trafficking and possession of cocaine, and tampering with evidence. He also was charged with misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property related to the bicycle, and for possession of marijuana.

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Gareth Morley admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply

Gareth Morley, 27, turned would-be small- time commercial dealer because he wanted to make cash for Christmas. But he was caught after police raided his home and discovered 28grammes of the drug, with a purity of 15per cent. Some of the cocaine was for his own use but at least 20 bags, possibly more, were to be sold to raise profit, Burnley Crown Court heard. Morley, of Hillside Road, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply. An allegation of supplying cocaine was left to lie on the file. His barrister had urged the court to pass a suspended sentence, but a judge said that would have been “unduly lenient” for such a serious offence.

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Shawn Pimpleton Officers found 4 ounces of crack and a loaded Glock .45 semi-automatic pistol in his pockets.

arrested Shawn Pimpleton, 31, during a traffic stop Dec. 23, 2007. Officers found 4 ounces of crack and a loaded Glock .45 semi-automatic pistol in his pockets. Pimpleton was released and was pulled over again by police two weeks later. This time, they found "a dealer-size quantity of marijuana" and ammunition for another handgun, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.Pimpleton -- who has two convictions for assault and four convictions on drug charges -- has never served more than a year in jail.Now he'll be spending a decade in a federal prison.
At sentencing Monday, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Colasurdo -- a King County deputy prosecutor cross-designated to bring more serious gun cases to federal court -- told U.S. District Judge James Robart, "It appears that the consequences were never severe enough to motivate him to change his behavior."Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI investigated the case.

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Tyrell H. Gorham affiliated with the Bloods arrested and charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs

Tyrell H. Gorham, 23, of Elm Street, had been under investigation by the Kennebec Valley Drug Task Force, which includes Waterville police, police said Monday in a written statement.Detective Chris Paradis and Officer Duane Cloutier, working with task-force members from the Oakland Police Department and Kennebec Sheriff's Office, went to Gorham's Elm Street apartment at 1 p.m. Sunday, according to police.
Gorham was on the porch, where police say they found a gram of crack cocaine in one of his pockets. During a search of his room in the apartment, police found 28 grams of crack cocaine, with a street value of about $3,000, the statement said.
Gorham was arrested and charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, a Class A felony because of the amount of narcotics seized and the proximity of his apartment to two area schools -- the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers on Silver Street and the Albert S. Hall School on Pleasant Street.Police said Gorham claims to be affiliated with the Bloods, a national gang known for its violence and involvement in drug trafficking. He is originally from Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., police said."Since July of 2006, the Waterville Police Department has arrested or summonsed Gorham 18 times, for crimes ranging for driving offenses, possession of narcotics, terrorizing and assault," Police Chief Joseph Massey said. "To say that we characterize him as a danger to our community would be an understatement."
A check of Gorham's criminal record shows arrests in New York for forgery and weapons possession, according to police.After his arrest, Gorham was taken to Kennebec County Jail to await arraignment, which is scheduled for December 9 in Augusta Superior Court. He was unable to raise $200,000 cash for his bail. Also arrested with Gorham was Nicholas Powell, 19, of Benton, who was at the Elm Street apartment and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest, according to police. Like Gorham, Powell was unable to raise bail and was taken to jail.

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Wanda Elaine Folden admitted selling drugs in the Charleston area for 10 years

Wanda Elaine Folden, 41, pleaded guilty in July, admitting that she had 143 grams of crack on May 31, 2007, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Folden gave the crack, along with marijuana and other drug paraphernalia, to a juvenile and told the child to hide it in the family's van, according to the release. Folden later admitted selling drugs in the Charleston area for 10 years, according to the release. She was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

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Lee R. Whitworth,Cheryl L. Smith charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, crack cocaine

Lee R. Whitworth, 56, of Belvidere was charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, crack cocaine, within 1,000 feet of public housing. The Class 1 felony is punishable by four to 15 years in prison. Whitworth was taken to the Boone County Jail on $50,000 bond.Cheryl L. Smith, 52, also of Belvidere was charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, crack cocaine, within 1,000 feet of public housing. Smith’s charge was also a Class 1 felony. She was taken to Boone County Jail on $50,000 bond.

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Arturo Alerja was in the bathroom of Farra's night club using and selling cocaine

Arturo Alerja, 30,was in the bathroom of Farra's night club using and selling cocaine at 1:04 a.m. Iowa City Police Sgt. Mike Brotherton, who responded to the bar, said the DOC officer was off-duty and not assisting in any police operations.
Sgt. Troy Kelsay said Santiago told the bar staff about what he saw and helped to identify Alerja so the staff could decide what action to take. Kelsay said Santiago did not try to arrest or restrain Alerja. However, when the situation between the bar staff and Alerja escalated and became physical, Santiago helped to restrain him.
When he arrived at the bar, Brotherton said Alerja was agitated, combative and ignoring commands to stop. Alerja assaulted the officers and bit Brotherton on the arm, causing an injury and breaking the skin. Brotherton said the injury did not require stitches.Alerja continued to resist until he was put in a squad car. He then refused to provide his name, date of birth and other information to the police, according to the criminal complaint. Brotherton said he's not even sure Alerja is the suspect's name and they are using finger prints to try to positively identify him."Nobody knows who this guy is," he said.Brotherton said no drugs were found, but he said Santiago saw Alerja snorting cocaine. Alerja was exhibiting symptoms consistent with using a stimulant such as cocaine, Brotherton said.Alerjo was charged with interference with official acts, assault on a peace officer and assault on a peace officer causing bodily injury.

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David Royston, Michael Ginnelly,ran the drugs racket from Mr Pickwicks in Leman Street, Whitechapel on the edge of the City.

Southwark Crown Court heard former currency broker Ginnelly even sold £100 worth of the class A drug while sitting in the car with his three children.David Royston, 44, and ex-currency broker Michael Ginnelly, 55, ran the drugs racket from Mr Pickwicks in Leman Street, Whitechapel on the edge of the City.Over 12 months the pair supplied cocaine in increasing amounts to a series of undercover police officers.
Boasting he had 25 years experience in the drugs business, Ginnelly lived in a rundown council estate and fronted the deals while his partner in crime Royston drove around in a Rolls Royce and lived in a riverside apartment.The pair began as 'low level retailers' supplying a 'couple of Gs' for £100 at a time before progressing into 'wholesale traders', earning £8,500 for just one deal.As well as selling in the upstairs bar of Mr Pickwicks, Royston supplied wraps from his partner's insurance business down the street.The dealers even arranged a lunch meeting at the OXO Tower to discuss supplying two kilos of cocaine a month after two undercover cops posed as dealers based in Brighton.They were arrested on July 6 last year, after officers from the Met's Clubs and Vice Unit swooped after a 20-month operation called Telon.Ginnelly pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine between July 5, 2006 and July 7, 2007, and was sentenced to five years.Royston pleaded guilty to the same count and was given a six-year jail term.Passing sentence, Mr Recorder Phillip Katz QC said: 'What the pair of you are doing sitting here having gotten involved in this I really don't understand, it makes no sense to me.'You are both intelligent and successful men but there you are waiting for me to pass a sentence of imprisonment on you.'He continued: 'What this started out as was retailing cocaine from drinking premises above a bar in Leman Street.
'It was of a low level to people that you believed to be users and they were small amounts.'That went on for some months because the first evidence of a larger deal was not until December 2006 when Mr Ginnelly effectively supplied amounts for £1,000.'The judge added: 'After the OXO Tower meeting nine ounces was supplied for £8,500 by you because you had been tempted out of greed by the proposition that was put to you by these undercover officers to up the stakes.'I don't think this was entrapment, I don't think there was anything wrong with this, I think this was the officers in the case seeing how far you were prepared to go.'The court heard that during the operation just over a total 307grams of cocaine was sold by the defendants, worth around £11,000.Prosecutor Ann Darlow said: 'These defendants were subject to an intensive surveillance operation involving a number of test purchase officers.'At the commencement of the operation they supplied smaller amounts of cocaine wrapped in lottery tickets, less than a gram, but during the course of the operation amounts offered for supply escalated and the Prosecution put the case that this was wholesale dealing by both the defendants.'Following a meeting with two undercover officers in Mr Pickwicks in July 2006, Ginnelly quickly established himself as a dealer with plenty of contacts and gave the police his mobile number.
In March last year, Ginnelly, himself a heavy drug user, met with an undercover officer while he sat in a car with his three children.Ms Darlow said: 'He told the officer to get into the car to carry out the deal in front of the children, supplying two wraps of cocaine for £100.'Royston also dealt to officers from a basement boardroom and Ginnelly later claimed he was in the process of setting up a first floor members only bar at Mr Pickwicks so he could freely distribute cocaine.
As the deals got bigger, the pair began arranging meetings with the undercover officers at hotels around London.The biggest deal, for a 'nine ounce bar', took place in a hotel room near Tower Bridge and netted the dealers £8,500.
They were finally arrested on July 6 last year.

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Lawrence Doyle was arrested in June 2007 after family members upset about his cocaine use and dealing from their home tipped off police

Lawrence Doyle of 7 Elwell St. was arrested in June 2007 after family members upset about his cocaine use and dealing from their home tipped off police.After searching his house and finding 2.8 grams of cocaine in separately packaged bags, detectives searching Doyle's car and clothes found 21.8 grams of cocaine, a vial with six OxyContin tablets and $1,216 in cash.Doyle pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute Thursday in Essex County Superior Court in Salem. A third count of possession with intent to distribute was thrown out.
In addition to the prison time, Doyle received two years of probation and was fined $240.

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John Smith, 33, was stopped in a taxi in the city and drugs, weighing just over two kilos, were found.

John Smith, 33, was stopped in a taxi in the city and drugs, weighing just over two kilos, were found. He claimed he had stolen a rucksack from two men who had asked him for directions in a pub and said he did not know what was inside. However, drugs officers had witnessed him hand over money in return for the bag of cocaine.
Advocate depute Morag Jack told the High Court in Edinburgh that Smith had been put under surveillance during a drugs operation. She said that on 6 December last year he was seen meeting two men who had got off a coach at the bus station. All three went into The Abode pub in the city's St Andrews Street. The prosecutor said: "The accused was seen to hand over a bundle of cash to one of the other men. In return he received a rucksack." Smith got into a taxi but the vehicle was stopped by police and he was detained. Inside the rucksack, police found two blocks of compressed powder wrapped in black tape. Analysis revealed it was 25% pure cocaine with a potential street value of £107,560. Smith earlier admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug. Lord Kinclaven told him he would have jailed him for five years for the offence, but for his guilty plea. The judge said: "As a courier you were playing an essential part in the drug trade."

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Arrested Marcel Levon Williams recovered two baggies of crack cocaine, a baggy of green leafy vegetation, a marijuana cigarette, $364 in cash

Arrested Marcel Levon Williams around 9:40 a.m. at 1114 E. 19th St. and recovered two baggies of crack cocaine, a baggy of green leafy vegetation, a marijuana cigarette, $364 in cash, among other items, a police report said.Williams was indicted by a federal grand jury on six charges that accuse him of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. The charges stem from incidents between March 1, 2007, and Sept. 3, 2008, according to the indictment.
The indictment, which was filed Sept. 11, was made public after Williams’ arrest.

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Ruby L. Holley and 37-year-old Jeremy James entered guilty pleas to the charge of dealing in cocaine, a class B felony.

Ruby L. Holley and 37-year-old Jeremy James entered guilty pleas to the charge of dealing in cocaine, a class B felony.Holley admitted under oath to selling .32 grams of cocaine to a confidential informant near Ninth and North streets in Logansport on May 4, 2006. She was arrested more than a year later along with 28 other suspects in what the Cass County Drug Task Force called Bought & Paid For 2. The Logansport resident has been in the Cass County Jail on a bond of $5,000 cash/$25,000 surety since her arrest.Holley’s plea agreement calls for 10 years in prison, with two years suspended, according to deputy prosecutor James Ackermann.During his plea hearing, James admitted to selling one-eighth of an ounce of cocaine to a confidential informant in the 1200 block of George Street on May 18, 2006. He was arrested in July of the same year during the Bought & Paid For investigation that resulted in a county-record 41 arrests.
James’ plea agreement capped his possible prison time at 10 years. He has been out of jail since Jan. 23, 2007, when he posted a $25,000 surety bond.Sentencing for Holley and James is scheduled for Oct. 27 before Judge Rick Maughmer, who took both plea deals under advisement.A class B felony carries a sentencing range of six to 20 years in the Indiana Department of Correction.

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Jose Diaz a/k/a Jose David Diaz-Ortega, was arrested on July 30, 2008

Jose Diaz a/k/a Jose David Diaz-Ortega, was arrested on July 30, 2008. A total of 9 people have been arrested and charged in an indictment unsealed today. A five-month investigation revealed that Jose Diaz a/k/a Jose David Diaz-Ortega, directed associates in Puerto Rico to ship kilograms of cocaine, concealed inside children's toy tool boxes and large building toy container boxes, to New York City. The organization used United States Postal Service Express Mail to make deliveries to drop off addresses in Manhattan and the Bronx. Eight other members of the Diaz-Ortega drug or money laundering enterprise in the Bronx, New Jersey and Puerto Rico, also face top felony charges. The narcotics were destined to be sold to buyers on the East Coast. One sale occurred on June 5, 2008 at Diaz-Ortega's Bronx residence. A Connecticut resident purchased a kilogram of cocaine concealed inside a child's pegboard stool. With the assistance of the New Haven Drug Enforcement Administration District Office and the Ansonia Police Department, the cocaine, still inside the stool, was recovered in the Waterbury, Connecticut area. Diaz-Ortega and Jesus Diaz, an employee in Prima Check Cashing, a money remitter and check cashing business at 1740 First Avenue in Manhattan, are also charged with laundering the proceeds of the narcotics business. As often as twice a week, Diaz-Ortega brought drug proceeds amounting to $40,000-$50,000 to Prima Check Cashing where Jesus Diaz, with the assistance of Lisa Rodriguez, sent wire transfers to associates in Puerto Rico. He also converted drug proceeds received in smaller denominations into $100 dollar bills. Diaz-Ortega stashed currency in his residence at 1314 Clay Avenue in the Bronx. A June 13, 2008 search warrant at Diaz-Ortega's home led to the recovery of $86,400 and a .380 caliber handgun. Diaz-Ortega, who was not home at the time, was arrested on July 30, 2008 at First Avenue and 101st Street in Manhattan. He is being held on bail in the amount of $500,000 cash/ $250,000 bond. His next court date is October 6, 2008 before the Honorable William Wetzel, Supreme Court Part 34. He and eight of his co-conspirators were indicted by a Special Narcotics Grand Jury on August 29, 2008. This morning a search warrant at Cessa Eddy's Prospect Avenue Bronx home led to the recovery of a .38 caliber, .25 caliber and .9 millimeter handguns and an ounce of cocaine and an ounce of marijuana packaged in numerous plastic zip lock bags for distribution. Teams of DEA agents and Special Narcotics investigators arrested the remaining defendants charged in the indictment, including: Mark Marasi, Cessa Eddy, Jackeline Viera, Jesus Diaz, Lisa Rodriguez, Juan Carambot, Jose Weekes and Julio Perez

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David A. Gooch charged with criminally negligent homicide and criminal injection of a narcotic drug

Catskill police arrested 33-year-old David A. Gooch and charged him with criminally negligent homicide and criminal injection of a narcotic drug, both felonies, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, both misdeamenors.Gooch is accused in the death of 49-year-old Dennis Byrne. Byrne was transported to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson by a private vehicle. Byrne was pronounced dead at the hospital, state police said.State police said the charges are the result of both men using heroin at a residence in the town of Catskill.
Gooch was arraigned before Greenville Town Justice Richard Schrieber and ordered held in the Greene County Jail on $25,000 bail or $50,000 bond.

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Dani Rodriguez was taken into custody when Anti-Crime officers found him holing 25 packets of heroin

Dani Rodriguez of Throop Avenue was taken into custody when Anti-Crime officers found him holing 25 packets of heroin. The bust culminated a weeklong investigation, police said.Rodriguez was charged with possession of heroin and related distribution counts, including being within 1,000 of a public park and within a 1,000-foot school zone. He is free on $35,000 bail.In July, Anti-Crime officers and personnel from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office arrested Rodriguez after a search of his home on Wellington Place turned up 91 packets of heroin and nearly $1,600 in cash, all of it believed to be proceeds from drug sales.He had been held on $50,000 bail in that case.

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Marshall Pittman,Raven Reebel,Brittany Cook All three were booked into the Multi-County Correctional Center

Arrested Marshall Pittman, 20, 868 Chatfield Road, on two charges of possession of heroin and a charge of drug paraphernalia; Raven Reebel, 23, LaRue, on two charges of possession of heroin; and Brittany Cook, 19, last known address 868 Chatfield Road, on a charge of possession of heroin.detectives located 2.7 grams of heroin with a street value of $350 and drug paraphernalia.All three were booked into the Multi-County Correctional Center.The MARMET-METRICH Drug Task Force consists of detectives from the Marion County Sheriff's Office and Marion Police Department.

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Ben Dionne charged with conspiracy to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute and failure to appear in U.S. District Court in Bangor.

Ben Dionne, 29, is back in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after fleeing to Canada nearly two years ago. Dionne, who has dual citizenship, was extradited to the U.S. earlier this year. He was turned over to American authorities Monday in Madawaska, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.He is charged with conspiracy to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute and failure to appear in U.S. District Court in Bangor. Dionne was one of six men indicted by a federal grand jury two years ago for allegedly being part of a marijuana smuggling and distribution ring that stretched from the St. John Valley to Portland.Dionne was released on Sept. 12, 2006, on $5,000 unsecured bail after pleading not guilty to the drug charge in federal court in Bangor. He failed to stay in touch with U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services and a warrant was issued for his arrest two weeks later, according to court documents.In November 2006, a grand jury indicted him on a new charge — failure to appear.Dionne is scheduled to be arraigned on that charge Monday. A federal judge also will hear a motion to revoke his bail on the drug charge and hold him without bail until his case is resolved.If convicted, he faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Dionne also could be fined up to $4 million on the drug charge. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the failure-to-appear charge.All but one of Dionne’s alleged co-conspirators have been convicted.John “Scooch” or “Scoochy” Pascuccui, 50, of Gorham also pleaded not guilty to drug conspiracy. He and Dionne are not scheduled to be tried until after the first of the year.Michael Pelletier, 57, of St. David was sentenced in January to 20 years in prison after being found guilty in July 2007 of drug smuggling, money laundering and Social Security fraud. Michael Easler, 28, of St. David was sentenced in August 2007 to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to similar drug and money laundering charges.
Raymond “Rocky” Fogg, 56, of Winn and Anthony Caparotta, 43, of Caribou were found guilty in June of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. The jury also found Fogg guilty of Social Security fraud. Both men face between 10 years and life in federal prison.

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