On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had purchased "large quantities of methamphetamine" from Liebergen. Stopping the spread of illegal drugs and drug trafficking in this community is incredibly important. 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. Nine people have been arrested as part of that investigation. The caller reported a vehicle was parked at a gas pump for more than an hour. Click the link to donate to Stock the Shelves and fight hunger in your community. "So honestly, they probably thought they were buying heroin or fentanyl and got Tramadol," says Kinnard. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. No additional information was provided, Local 5 will continue to update this story. The seizure by the Brown County Sheriffs Office of10.68 pounds of methamphetamine in 2017 after afive-month investigation. 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. The $10 million worth of meth was enough to provide a dose for every man, woman, and child in the United States and . 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. The source told officers that Liebergen was going to be in the area on Sept. 11 with a large amount of meth. Federal investigators believe the 58 pounds of meth seized from Liebergen's hotel room is worth $500,000 - $750,000 on the street. Something that we've never seen up here in this type of quantity," says Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain. Tell us where we should look inside here. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Par Y. 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. Contact Natalie Brophy at (715) 216-5452 or nbrophy@gannett.com. "This quantity was directed all over Northeast Wisconsin," says Sheriff Delain. If convicted, Xiong could face between 10 years and life in federal prison. A search warrant was executed at Ullmer's home in Oconto Falls. RACINE - Authorities arrested eight suspected major drug traffickers and seized more than $60,000 worth of drugs in what law enforcement called one of the biggest drug busts in Racine County history. A source tipped off the drug task force that Liebergen was bringing drugs into Northeast Wisconsin and selling them out of hotel rooms. He funneled pounds of meth from Missouri to Northeast Wisconsin, according to investigators. The DEA does know where the load was destined to go but are not releasing that information at this time. Authorities would not say if the Grand Chute arrest is related to an Oconto Countybust, announced Tuesday, in which sheriff's deputies seized156grams of methamphetamine. Liebergen had a handgun in the waistband of his pants when he was arrested. The Kenosha Drug Operations Group (KDOG) then initiated an investigation to identify the source of narcotics. 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 . Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --58 pound of meth --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription. If you have any information, you are asked to call the taskforce tipline at 218-730-5750 or dial 911. Officers seized the following during the hotel bust: --1 kilogram of tramadol (prescription narcotic for pain). Soua Khang, 23, Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth,three counts of distributing meth. Kinnard believes the cartel sold it to Liebergen and made him believe it was something more powerful. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Drug investigators executed multiple search warrants in September 2019. According to the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department, on March 29 officers responded to a report about a suspicious person/vehicle at the gas pumps at Kwik Trip. 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. Some of the defendants also face federal gun charges. He has entered not guilty pleas to the charges. Twenty people are facing rafts of charges each and more than $61 million worth of cocaine, crystal meth and marijuana was seized in what Toronto police are calling the largest drug . At this point, only the Liebergen and Ullmer affidavits have been filed on federal court records. jw. It was operating primarily in Wisconsin and Illinois. The federal government has made it a priority to go after distributors. Liebergen obtained pounds of meth on several occasions dating back to spring. LAWRENCE - It started as a guy sleeping at the wheel of an SUV at a southern Brown County Kwik Trip around midnight. He's also charged with possessing a gun in a drug trafficking crime. Almost two tonnes of methamphetamine has been seized by Australian police - the biggest bust of the drug in the country's history. All rights reserved. Authorities had not made the arrest public. Rugers and Glocks. 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 big drug bust is similar to the others because it's linked to -- you guessed it -- cocaine. 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. Wausau woman Lisa Xiong, 31, who went by the nickname "Nova," wasthe leader of the meth ring, according to court documents. Because the task force works with state and federal officials, its investigations can cross state lines. 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. A federal grand jury charged 12 people eight from Wausau, one from Hewittand three from St. Paul, Minnesota in connection withthe distribution ring. Chai Thao, 34,Wausau:two counts of distributing meth with one count alleged to involve 50 grams or more. 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. They had to revamp their strategy, which led to the successful end of this drug operation. Inaddition to the illegal drugs, police seized what they called "alarge amount" of prescription medications and designer pills. A search of her vehicle turned up the following: --Loaded Smith & Wesson MP Shield 9mm handgun. Officers arrested 36-year-old Jesus Rojas Romero, 20-year-old Alex Ruiz, and 22-year-old Christian Valles Castro after the bust. 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Approximately $50,000+ of recovered property stolen from the area. 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. Someone would book the room for Liebergen so there was no trace back to him. 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. "When he woke up, his hands came out of his pocket, and drug paraphernalia was visible.". 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. Police also confiscated the 2019 Ford Explorer the man had been driving. A 20-year-old woman was arrested in that incident, sheriff's officials said. 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. 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. Police say on Nov. 9, a traffic stop led to police searching an apartment near Country Club and University drives. He and his girlfriend, 25-year-old girlfriend Carley Poettker were arrested following the search. On Sept. 9, investigators met with a confidential source who had purchased "large quantities of methamphetamine" from Liebergen. Commander Domenico Napolitano, head of the financial police for the city of Naples, told CNN . $120,000 of personal assets that were determined to be used in the distribution of illicit narcotics. Police also seized about a kilogram 2.2 poundsof heroin or fentanyl, and a Ruger handgun. Joshua . Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. Agencies involved in the raid included the Sheriffs Department, Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards Police Department, and Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department. Biggest drug bust in Mesa PD history: 700K+ fentanyl pills, 15 lbs of hard drugs found. 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 Wood County Sheriff's. 60 pounds? 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. "This is going to be the largest seizure of methamphetamine in Northeast Wisconsin history. Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards Police Department, and Wisconsin Rapids . Charges: Anoka residents busted with over 1,000 grams of meth. 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. A federal grand jury in Green Bay has indicted nine people in the drug conspiracy--believed to be one of the largest in state history. Ya Yang, 31, Wausau:conspiring to distribute meth. The organization also had ties throughout the United States and Mexico, according to the sheriff's office. "It's not about drugs. Operation Tranquilandia was led by the DEA in 1984. They said Tuesday that the investigation could lead to further arrests. "He was living in the St. Louis area, so that's his connection. According to police, officers seized. Among the items seized by police include marijuana and five types of dangerous drugs, enough cash to buy a new carand four handguns. Federal charges have been filed against a man accused of selling large quantities of meth out of a hotel room in Grand Chute. TORONTO -. 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. Sheriff Ron Cramer says this will go down as one of the largest seizures for. Chong Chueneng Moua, 51, St. Paul, Minnesota:conspiring to distribute meth, possessing 50 grams or more with intent to distribute. He would rent out a hotel room and "sell multiple pounds of methamphetamine" from the room. All of the following items were seized: Methamphetamine Cocaine Fentanyl LSD Marijuana. At a news conference Thursday, Duluth police officials said they worked with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to seize roughly 1,207 grams of meth and 527 grams of heroin and. Hotel bust: -- 1 kilogram of tramadol ( prescription and made him believe it was something more powerful 216-5452! No trace back to spring near Country Club and University drives the room ) initiated., so that 's his connection call the taskforce tipline at 218-730-5750 dial! Against a man accused of selling large quantities of meth on several occasions dating back spring... Have any information, you are asked to call the taskforce tipline at 218-730-5750 dial. 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