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Feds arrest 35 members of a ‘huge drug ring’, agents also confiscated 30kg of fentanyl – ‘enough to kill 14M people’- as well as cocaine, heroin and an arsenal of weapons

Posted on August 30, 2019 by konniemoments in Crime, Drugs, Gangs, News // 0 Comments

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35 members of the ‘huge [multi-state] drug ring’ were arrested in bust called ‘operation cookout’, yield a huge cache of opioids in Virginia
During the arrests, authorities seized 30kg of fentanyl – ‘enough to kill 14M people’
Other drugs confiscated by agents include cocaine and heroin 
The operation also netted 24 firearms and more than $700,000 over three days
More than 120 law enforcement officers from 30 law enforcement agencies in Virginia, North Carolina and Texas were involved in the arrest 
Cops in the operation spanned out across Virginia, North Carolina and Texas  
The illegal drugs were shipped up from Mexico, California and New York
Smugglers used hidden compartments in their vehicles to hide the drugs,
The drug ring used at least 94 ‘telecommunication devices,’ including pre-paid cell phones in their day-to-day operations, changed their devices regularly to thwart tracking
Suspects also communicated via Facebook and encrypted communications apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp
Charges include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, cocaine base, and fentanyl
Conspiracy to launder money, felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining a drug-involved premises, use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking
Other charges include interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises, and illegal re-entry by a previously deported or removed alien
Three and half dozen people arrested in a drug trafficking operations [opioids] in Virginia.jpgMassive Virginia drug bust leads to 35 arrests: Photos of 21 of the 35 people arrested in ‘Operation Cookout,’ a drug trafficking operation that seized a cache of weapons and illegal drugs, including enough of the deadly opioid fentanyl to kill 14 million people
Federal authorities arrested 35 people in a massive three-state investigation that recovered a cache of weapons and illegal drugs, including enough of the deadly opioid fentanyl to kill 14 million people.
Investigators who assisted in ‘Operation Cookout,’ said they made the arrests Thursday and were still searching for four suspects.

The operation seized 24 firearms, 66 pounds each of fentanyl and heroin, 11 pounds of cocaine, and more than $700,000 in cash during the three-day ‘takedown,’ according to a statement released by federal authorities.
G. Zachary Terwilliger 2.JPG G. Zachary Terwilliger, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, addressing media over the bust Friday noted that ‘This massive interdiction of narcotics, which included enough fentanyl to kill over 14 million people, is proof positive of the power and strength of federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration’
Over 120 law enforcement officers from 30 law enforcement agencies in Virginia, North Carolina and Texas were involved in the arrest of the 35 suspects.
At least four more are facing charges, according to a 106-page indictment. 

‘This massive interdiction of narcotics, which included enough fentanyl to kill over 14 million people, is proof positive of the power and strength of federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration,’ said G. Zachary Terwilliger, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The indictment alleges the suspects were part of a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine and cocaine base in the Hampton Roads metropolitan region of southeast Virginia.
The large-scale drug trafficking operation dates back to March 2016, say federal prosecutors.

The ‘co-conspirators’ participated in multiple criminal acts, including armed drug distribution. They are accused of working as suppliers, packagers, transporters, financiers, distributors and ‘facilitators’ in the drug trafficking ring.
Prosecutors say the suspects and other ‘unindicted co-conspirators’ relied on narcotics suppliers in Mexico, California, and New York, and transported heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine to Virginia.   

G. Zachary Terwilliger, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia [center] 1.JPGG. Zachary Terwilliger, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia [center] is seen standing with local, state and federal authorities who assisted in ‘Operation Cookout.’ – More than 120 law enforcement officers from 30 law enforcement agencies in Virginia, North Carolina and Texas were involved in the arrest of 35 suspects
The drug smugglers used hidden traps in privately owned vehicles, couriers, and semi-trailers, trucks, and recreational vehicles.

The drugs would end at various locations, including the houses and parking lots of businesses located in Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk, Carrolton, Yorktown, Lawrenceville, South Hill, and Richmond.
At least 94 ‘telecommunication devices,’ including pre-paid cell phones, were used by suspects in their day-to-day operations. Some were believed to have changed their devices regularly to thwart authorities.
Suspects also communicated via Facebook and encrypted communications apps like FaceTime and WhatsApp.


Charges leveled against members of the the ring include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, cocaine base, and fentanyl; conspiracy to launder money; felon in possession of a firearm; maintaining a drug-involved premises; use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking; interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises; and illegal re-entry by a previously deported or removed alien.
‘This operation, through its seizure of scores of kilograms of illicit narcotics, saved lives in the Eastern District and elsewhere,’ said Terwilliger. ‘Any day where we can do that is particularly meaningful and impactful. An incredible thank you to our dedicated law enforcement partners and prosecutors.’

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