August 2016 – Criminal Defense Lawyers PLLC

Police Finds Crate Carrying Marijuana

Metro police intercepted a crate containing 140 pounds of marijuana shipped from Phoenix for distribution to street dealers in Nashville Thursday.

When detectives received information that the 327 pound wooden crate located at a local freight company could be tied to criminal activity, they sent Caine, a police dog, to check, police said.

With the help of a Caine, officers found 140 pounds of marijuana inside the cargo during a search warrant, repackaged the marijuana and followed the shipment to a home in the 5000 block of Ryan Allen Court, the affidavit continues.

Police arrested Tusabi Edwards, 40, and Terrence Reames, 38, in connection with possession with intent to sell, deliver, or manufacture a controlled substance in a school zone.

Depending on the grade of the marijuana, current drug prices provided by Metro police show it’s valued at anywhere between $385,000 to $630,000.

His co-defendant, Reames, told police Edwards came to Nashville to oversee the load of marijuana and that Edwards was supposed to sell the marijuana in Nashville. Reams also said he was to receive $2000 for his part to distribute the marijuana for providing a place to receive and break down the marijuana for re-sale in Nashville, the affidavit states.

Edwards is being held in lieu of $200,000 bond. Reames’ bond is set at $50,000.

As of Friday morning both men remained incarcerated at the Metro jail.

PART 2

The Maricopa County Drug Task Force removes Marijuana plants and growing materials after shutting down an allegedly illegal grow operation at a warehouse located near 40th Street and Washington on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, in Phoenix, Ariz. Danny Miller / azcentral.com | The Republic

Armed with a search warrant, authorities arrived at a grow warehouse near 40th and Washington streets at 7:30 a.m. and seized more than 600 marijuana plants in what may have been one of the county’s largest drug busts, said Lt. Jeff Gentry of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Hash, edibles and kief — a dried form of marijuana — also were found at the warehouse.The marijuana collected from the warehouse will be dried at a Drug Enforcement Administration facility and then will be packaged as evidence, Gentry said.

A total of 12 warrants were served in Scottsdale, Phoenix and Fountain Hills in connection with the investigation. Among the items seized were guns and more than $100,000 in cash, according to officials.

A father and son are believed to head more than 10 similar marijuana grow facilities in Phoenix and northern Arizona that have been running for about a year and a half and have generated at least $16 million for the operators during that time, Gentry said. That dollar amount is a conservative estimate, he said.

Arrested Tuesday were Perry Lee Hestor, 57, Brandon Lee Hestor, 35, Christopher Neil Rafferty, 36, James Allen Donaldson, 62, and Christopher Yancy Martin, 44. All have been booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail and face charges including fraudulent schemes and illegal possession and selling of marijuana, officials said.

Gentry said those involved in the illegal enterprise posed as caregivers, which, under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, would allow them to grow up to 12 marijuana plants provided they did not live within 25 miles of a dispensary. The task force kept the warehouse under surveillance for about four months and did not witness any deliveries that exceeded 25 miles, Gentry said.

A Sheriff’s Office statement said the business is believed to have grown over 2,000 pounds of marijuana per year since they began their operation in late 2013.

Authorities were initially directed to the warehouse after complaints of a strong odor wafting in the area.

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, sheriff’s spokesman Joaquin Enriquez explained the business flouted state standards for legal dispensaries by neglecting to have background checks for employees, dispensary fees, agent cards, safety regulations, product inspection, inventory controls, taxes and transportation limits or regulations.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio said detectives believe up to 25 individuals were involved in the illegal enterprise and about 15 more suspects are under investigation.

He said the operation involved people “just trying to make money” and that investigators found no connection between the business and Mexican drug cartels.

“We cannot blame Mexico for this,” Arpaio said, tapping the wooden podium forcefully with his finger. “This is domestic. This is home grown.”

The Maricopa County Drug Suppression Task Force includes law-enforcement personnel from agencies including area police departments, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Police Investigate Marijuana and Cocaine Finding

Police are fighting the ongoing

A police raid in Oswego County led to the arrest of a man accused of having marijuana, cocaine and thousands of dollars in drug money.

Jared M. Kempston, 23, of 104 State St., Phoenix, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (more than 1/2 an ounce), third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and second-degree criminal possession of marijuana. All are felonies.

The Oswego County Drug Task Force said that around 8 a.m. on Friday July, 29, it’s investigators raided Kempston’s home with Phoenix police.

After executing a search warrant, investigators seized 5.1 pounds of marijuana, 17 grams of cocaine and $10,627 in suspected drug money, police said. Authorities did not share details of their investigation or say what led them to Kempston.

Police said the seized drugs have a street value of about $25,000.

Kempston was arraigned in Volney Town Court and released on his own recognizance

part 2

Superior’s new K9 unit assisted in a significant drug bust this week. The seizure included a Jeep Cherokee, over 2,500 in cash, a half a kilo of methamphetamines, and 2 guns. Two suspects were taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing.

On Monday morning, Aug. 1, 2016, to the east of Superior, Officer Scott Curry pulled over a car for speeding. Upon questioning the driver Officer Curry decided a pat search was in order. During the search, the Officer discovered a loaded weapon in the suspect’s pocket. Officer Curry then called in the Superior K9 Unit. The dog successfully detected drugs in the vehicle. This was the K9 Unit’s third successful drug detection since Ace has been on the job. Ace started working for the Department less than a week ago. Chief Neuss indicated that this latest drug bust is the largest single seizure in the time he has been Superior’s Chief of Police.

The K9 unit consists of Officer Bryan Lawrence and his canine companion Ace. Ace is a year and eight month old rescue pit bull. Narcotic dogs are usually Labrador Retrievers or German Shepherds.

“He is the only working narcotics pit bull in the State of Arizona,” Chief Neuss stated, “Ace is not trained for biting or holding or handler protection.” His only job is to find narcotics.

Despite the reputation of this fierce breed Ace is a friendly and easy going dog who is great with children. Superior obtained Ace from a grant through Universal K9, a nonprofit out of San Antonia, Texas, and with the help of the Animal Farm Foundation. The officer’s training and the trip to pick up canine Ace was paid for through the Resolution Emergency Services Contract Funding. So far this entire program has been paid for through grant funding.

Chief Neuss states he is very thankful for the trainers and handlers of Universal K9 who not only helped them acquire the dog, but took special care to make sure that the dog selected was a good match for Officer Lawrence.

“The breed has kind of gotten a bad name in the past,” said Officer Lawrence. “That they are very aggressive. That they are mean…people have gotten the wrong impression.” Officer Lawrence went on to say that when pit bulls go bad they are made that way by human beings. That the breed is very loyal to their owners and handlers. “He is great with kids. He is great with other dogs.”

Ace has gone through eight weeks of intensive narcotics detection training. Officer Lawrence completed two weeks of training and he is still in the process of working with, and building a closer bond with, canine Ace. It takes three or four months for the handler and the dog to fully bond. Officer Lawrence states that Ace’s training in narcotic detection will continue for the dog’s entire career. It’s training that is given to the dog not only when he is working in the field, but also when he is at home.

According to Chief Neuss, a K9 Unit was sorely needed in Superior as the town’s position on the junction of two highways makes it a very convenient and active drug trafficking path on the way to metro Phoenix. Chief Neuss hopes to expand the program in the future.

Chief Neuss stated that so far canine Ace has a one hundred percent successful detection rate. Ace has only been on the job for less than a week. As Ace and his handler become more experienced and more comfortable in their working relationship, they will continue to help Superior Police Department decrease the flow of drugs moving through our community.

pRTR 3

The Drug Enforcement Administration arrested multiple people in Tucson on Wednesday after a long-term federal investigation targeting the sales and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “spice.”

Authorities found nearly 600 pounds of synthetic cannabinoids and a possible spice lab, along with multiple luxury vehicles and more the $350,000 in cash.

“This operation will be instrumental in restoring the quality of life for the neighborhoods impacted by the effects of the “spice” epidemic,” Tucson Police Department Chief Chris Mangus said in a press release. “We would like to thank the federal and local partners who participated with us during this investigation, as well as the community, who has patiently waited for this investigation to conclude.”

The DEA teamed up with IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Border Patrol and local and federal Homeland Security agents in order to investigate people of interest and search warrants within this case.

“Through the combined efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, today’s arrests truly impact the safety and well-being of citizens within our local communities,” FBI Special Agent Michael DeLeon from the Phoenix field office said.

The investigation resulted in 18 total arrests in Arizona, California and Colorado.

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